How to Install/Dual Boot Windows 10/11 on any Intel-Based iMac, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini

Here is what you are going to need to get started:

• Blank USB Flash Drive (16GB or larger)
• Intel Based Mac

To check whether your Mac has an Apple Silicon (M1) chip or an Intel chip, you can follow these steps:

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. From the dropdown menu, select "About This Mac." A new window will appear.
3. In the "Overview" tab of the "About This Mac" window, you should see information about your Mac, including the processor.
4. If your Mac has an Apple Silicon (M1) chip, it will display "Apple M1" or a specific variant of the M1 chip.
5. If your Mac has an Intel chip, it will display the specific model and generation of the Intel processor.

It’s preferred to have a wired mouse and keyboard (so you don’t run into any Bluetooth issues). You can also use an Ethernet cable, but it is not required.

Now that you have everything you need let's get started!

Step 1: Go to Safari and paste this link into the search bar: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Step 2: Select the edition of Windows you want to install & language, then Confirm.

Step 3: Select the 32-bit or 64-bit download (based on your system). Then save the file to your desktop.

How do I know if my Mac is 32-bit or 64-bit:

If you click the Apple icon in the top left corner and select About This Mac, it shows you what type of processor the Mac has. The only 32-bit processors that Apple has used in Macs are Intel Core Solos and Intel Core Duos (to the extent of my knowledge), so if you have an i3 or i5 or i7 or something like that is not one of the two mentioned above, I'm pretty sure its 64-bit.

Step 4: Plug in your USB Flash Drive, locate the .iso file on your computer, then open the file.

Make sure you back up the files on your USB flash drive, so you do not lose the data.

Step 5: Select the external flash drive you plugged into the computer on the left pane.

Step 6: Format the drive with the following, then select the Erase button.

Step 7: Open Finder and ensure that there is nothing in the USB drive.

Step 8: Open the “Boot Camp Assistant,” and then select Continue.

Step 9: Ensure all options are selected.

Step 10: Ensure the ISO image is the .ISO file you downloaded in Step 3 is chosen and the Destination disk is your USB Flash Drive. Select Continue and it will start downloading Windows onto your flash drive!

Step 11: Once the download is complete you will be able to choose how much file space you will partition to Windows and macOS. Select “Divide Equally,” then install.

Step 12: Your Mac will restart a couple of times, once complete you will be presented with a Windows Setup screen.

Step 13: Either enter your product key or select “I don’t have a key,” then select Next.

Step 14: Select the version of Windows you want to install. If you have a product key, you will only be able to download the version you have.

Step 15: Select Next until you are presented with this screen. Select the drive that says – “BOOTCAMP,” then select Next.

Step 16: Wait for the download to complete, then you should be presented with the Windows setup screen.

Step 17: Once the desktop is loaded you should see a Boot Camp installer, accept the terms then select Install.

Step 18: Once complete, search for the Apple Software Update, then update everything on the list.

Step 19: Search for Settings in the Window Search bar, then select “Update & Security,” ensure you are running the latest updates for Windows.

Step 20: If you want to switch back to macOS. You will need to shut down your Mac, and reboot it while holding down the ALT or OPTION key on your keyboard, then you will be able to select the OS you want to boot.

If you prefer to watch a video tutorial, watch this video. This video on 9to5Mac's YouTube tutorial is very helpful!