Option 2: Run Windows on a Macbook Air Using a Virtual Machine That is not a problem when using virtual machines. Another possible drawback is fact that Windows and macOS use different file systems, and you will not be able to open Mac files on Windows or vice versa unless you install specific third-party drives for it. On the other hand, only one operating system will be able to run at the same time, so you will have to reboot between them depending on which apps you need to run at the moment. That’s why dual-booting is ideal for running resource-intensive programs like video-editing software or high-end games. If you install Windows via Boot Camp, Windows will have all of your Macbook’s resources and can run programs with the maximum possible performance. Mac’s Boot Camp Assistant will help you install Windows, partition the startup drive and install necessary drivers. Option 1: Install Windows on a Macbook Air With BootCampīoot Camp comes with your Macbook for free, and it allows you to install Windows alongside macOS, so you can choose which of them to boot on startup. In this article I’ll give a quick overview of each method, so you can decide which one is more suitable in your situation. Regardless of which method you select, you will also need an unused Windows license key to activate Windows. Mac Pro users were not happy when Windows 7 support was dropped in 2013, but Windows 10's reintegration of many Windows 7 features is likely to appease most.When it comes to running Windows on a Macbook, you have two main options: install Widows on a Macbook as a secondary OS via Boot Camp or use virtualization software like Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion or VirtualBox. Boot Camp is one of the more popular ways to run Windows, as both Parallels and VM Ware carry a hefty price tag. With Windows 10 coming in the summer, Apple dropping support for an operating system released back in 2009 isn't surprising.

In 2013, Apple dropped support for Windows 7 on the Mac Pro and it now seems like the other hardware lines will follow. Whereas software such as Parallels or VM Ware runs Windows on top of Mac OSX, Boot Camp allows the Mac to natively boot to Windows, effectively allowing Windows software on Mac hardware. At its March 'Spring Forward' event Apple unveiled a brand-new MacBook and updated the current crop of MacBook Airs and Pros with new CPUs and a cheaper price - and, it seems, removed the ability to run Windows 7 in Boot Camp.Īccording to the Boot Camp support documentation (spotted by MacRumors), Windows 7 is no longer supported on the new machines.

Can i put windows 7 on macbook air