If you want to enjoy Windows 10 /11 on your Mac computer, you can download Windows 10/11 ISO for Mac, then install Windows on Mac via Boot Camp Assistant. In this article, MiniTool Software will show you how to download Windows ISO for Mac free for installation.
Can you run macOS on a Windows computer? Of course, the answer is yes. You can run macOS on a Windows PC using VMware. On the other hand, can you run Windows on a Mac computer? The answer is also yes. You can easily install Windows on your Mac computer with the help of Boot Camp Assistant. After that, you can switch between macOS and Windows as per your needs.
Before installing Windows 10/11 on your Mac computer, you need to download Windows 10/11 ISO for Mac. Now, let’s first talk about downloading Windows 10/11 ISO images for Mac.
Download Windows ISO for Mac Free
In this part, we will introduce how to download Windows 10 ISO for Mac and download Windows 11 ISO for Mac separately.
Download Windows 10 ISO for Mac Free
To protect your computer from viruses, malware, and spyware, you should download a Windows 10 ISO image for Mac using a reliable download source. Fortunately, Microsoft now enables you to directly download Windows 10 ISO image files for free from its official site. The Windows 10 ISO image direct download is only available when your computer agent is not Windows. So, it is very lucky. You can directly download a Windows 10 ISO image from Microsoft's official site on your Mac computer and use it to install Windows 11 on Mac.
If you are using a Windows PC, you can also directly download a Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft by changing the user agent under the developer mode of your Chromium browser like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. See this post: Windows 10 ISO Images Direct Download via Microsoft’s Website.
Step 1: Go to the Download Windows 10 Disc Image (ISO File) page from Microsoft's official site on your Mac.
Step 2: Click the Select edition menu and select Windows 10 (multi-edition ISO) option from the drop-down list.
Step 3: Click the Confirm button and wait for your request to be verified
Step 4: Choose your language and click the Confirm button to continue.
Step 5: On the next page, you will see two available download buttons: 64-bit Download and 32-bit Download. Your Mac computer only allows you to install Windows 10 Home 64-bit edition or Windows 10 Pro 64-bit edition. So, you need to click the 64-bit Download button to start downloading Windows 10 ISO file for Mac.
Step 6: The size of the Windows 10 64-bit ISO file is about 5.8 GB. So, it will take a while to complete the whole downloading process. You should wait patiently.
After downloading the Windows 10 ISO file on Mac, you should let it stay in the download folder, move to the install section, and follow the steps to install Windows 10 on your Mac computer.
Download Windows 11 ISO for Mac Free
Microsoft has released a direct download link for all users since the official initial release of Windows 11. It is also free to download a Windows 11 ISO file for Mac from Microsoft.
Step 1: Go to the Download Windows 11 Disc Image (ISO File) page from Microsoft's official site using your Mac.
Step 2: Scroll down to the Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) section. Then, click the Select Download menu and select Windows 11 option from the drop-down list.
Step 3: Click the Download button and wait for your request to be verified.
Step 4: Choose your language and click the Confirm button to continue.
Step 5: Windows 11 only has 64-bit editions. So, there is only one available download button: 64-bit Download. Click that button to download the Windows 11 ISO file on your Mac.
Step 6: The Windows 11 64-bit ISO file is 5.1 GB in size. You should wait patiently until the whole download progress ends.
Likewise, you should let the downloaded Windows 11 ISO image stay in the download folder, move to the install section, and follow the steps to install Windows 10 on your Mac computer.
Want to download Windows 10/11 ISO for Mac? This post introduces how to directly download one from Microsoft’s official site.Click to Tweet
Install Windows 10/11 on a Mac Computer
How to Install Windows 10 on Mac?
Preparations:
1. Windows 10 installation on Mac needs a Boot Camp Assistant and Boot Camp requires a Mac with an Intel processor. So, you need to have one of the following Mac computers:
- MacBook released in 2015 or later
- MacBook Air released in 2012 or later
- MacBook Pro released in 2012 or later
- Mac mini released in 2012 or later
- Mac Pro released in 2013 or later
- iMac released in 2012 or later1
- iMac Pro (all models)
2. You also need to install the latest macOS updates because they include the updates to Boot Camp Assistant.
3. To store the Windows 10 installation files, your Mac startup disk should have at least 64 GB of free storage space. Of course, more is better. For example, 128 GB of available storage space can provide the best experience because Windows updates will take up more space.
4. An external USB flash drive, which has at least 16 GB of space. However, if you are using one of the following Mac computers, it will not need a USB flash drive to install Windows 10:
- MacBook released in 2015 or later
- MacBook Air released in 2017 or later3
- MacBook Pro released in 2015 or later3
- Mac Pro released in late 2013 or later
- iMac released in 2015 or later
- iMac Pro (all models)
5. A Windows 10 Home 64-bit ISO file or Windows 10 Pro 64-bit ISO file. We have mentioned the download method above. If it is the first time to install Windows 10 on your Mac, you need to have a full version of Windows 10 rather than an upgrade.
Steps to install Windows 10 on Mac
To install Windows, use Boot Camp Assistant, which is included with your Mac.
Step 1: Change the Secure Boot settings if necessary. You need to use Full Security to install Windows 10 on Mac. After the Windows 10 installation, the Secure Boot setting will not affect the Windows startup.
Step 2: Open the Utilities folder of the Application folder. Then, open Boot Camp Assistant.
Step 3: Connect your external USB flash drive to your computer if you are required.
Step 4: Boot Camp Assistant will begin to create a Windows 10 bootable USB flash drive for installation.
Step 5: Boot Camp Assistant needs to create a BOOTCAMP partition for the Windows installation, which size should be at least 64 GB. You should not forget this. However, you should set the partition size as large as possible because you can’t change the size later.
Step 6: When Boot Camp Assistant ends the process, you need to restart your Mac to the Windows installer. In general, the installer will automatically select and format the BOOTCAMP partition. If not, the installer will ask where to install Windows. Then, you should select the BOOTCAMP partition manually and click Format to format it.
Step 7: Remove all unnecessary external drives from your Mac. Then, click the Next button and follow the onscreen instruction to install Windows 10.
Step 8: When the installation ends, your Mac machine will start up in Windows with a Welcome to the Boot Camp installer window. You need to follow the instructions to install Boot Camp and the necessary Windows support software drivers on Mac. You will be asked to restart your Mac when everything is done. Just do it.
Here is how to install Windows 10 on Mac.Click to Tweet
How to Install Windows 11 on Mac?
Windows 11 has new hardware and system requirements. Is it possible to install Windows 11 on your Mac computer? Of course, yes. But you need to use some extra steps to make the installation think your Mac device is compatible with Windows 11.
Step 1: You can also use the steps introduced in the How to Install Windows 10 on Mac section to install Windows 11 on Mac, but only when you see the Windows Setup interface pops up, you need to press Shift+F10 to call out the Command Prompt to make some changes to the related Registry key.
Step 2: Type regedit in Command Prompt and press enter to open Registry Editor.
Step 3: Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup.
Step 4: Right-click the Setup folder and then select New > Key.
Step 5: Name the new key LabConfig.
Step 6: Right-click the newly created key and go to New > DWORD (32-bit). Then, name it BypassTPMCheck. After that, you should open this key and set the value to 1.
Step 7: Repeat the above steps to create two other new keys to bypass the RAM check and Secure Boot check. These two new keys should be named ByPassRAMCheck and ByPass SecureBootCheck. And their values should also be 1.
Step 8: Close the Registry Editor and Command Prompt to go back to the Windows setup interface. Then, click the Install Now button and follow the onscreen instructions to install Windows 11 on your Mac.
Here is how to install Windows 11 on Mac.Click to Tweet
Recover Lost and Deleted Files on Windows 10/11
MiniTool Power Data Recovery is a piece of professional data recovery software that works on all Windows versions, including Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, and Windows 7. You can use it to recover all types of files like images, videos, music files, documents, and more.
This MiniTool data recovery software can recover data from different kinds of data storage devices like computer internal hard drives, external hard drives, memory cards, USB flash drives, pen drives, and more.
This software has a trial edition. If you are not sure if it can find the files you want to recover, you can use this trial edition to scan the drive you want to recover data from and then check the scan results for your needed files.
Free Download
Here is how to use this free file recovery tool to scan your drive for lost files:
Step 1: Download and install MiniTool Power Data Recovery Trial on your device.
Step 2: Open it to enter its main interface.
Step 3: Find the drive you want to recover data from under the Drives section. Hover over it and click the Scan button to start scanning that drive. If you don’t know which the target drive is, you can switch to the Devices section and select the entire disk to scan.
Step 4: Wait until the scanning ends. Then, check the scan results to find your needed files.
If you want to use this tool to recover your files, you need to use a full edition. You can just upgrade the software to a full edition in the scan results interface. So, you don’t need to take time to scan the drive again. After that, you can select all your needed files at once, click the Save button, and select a suitable folder to save files.
The End
Want to download Windows 10 ISO for Mac or download Windows 11 ISO for Mac? You can just get a Windows 10/11 ISO file from Microsoft’s official site on your Mac computer. This article shows you two related guides.
Additionally, you can also know how to install Windows 10 on Mac and how to install Windows 11 on Mac separately.
If you have other related issues to be fixed or have other good suggestions, you can let us know in the comment. You can also contact us via [emailprotected].
FAQs
How can I get Windows 11 for Mac for free? ›
Go to Microsoft's Download Windows 11 page and select the third option for Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO). Click the dropdown menu for Select Download and choose Windows 11. Click the Download button. Select the product language and click Confirm.
Is Windows 10 ISO free for Mac? ›You can download a free disc image, also known as an ISO file, of Windows 10 from the official Windows website. 1. On your Mac, go to this Windows software download page.
Can I download Windows 11 for free full version? ›Windows 11 is here and it's free to download for Windows 10 users. Windows 11 is here and ready for you.
How do I download and install Windows 11 for free? ›On your Windows 10 machine, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click the Check for updates button. If Windows 11 is waiting for you, it can then be installed.
Can you download Windows ISO on Mac? ›You can download a Windows 10 Disc Image (ISO File) from Microsoft. Sufficient free storage space on your startup drive. For information about the amount of free space needed, see the Apple Support Article Install Windows 10 on your Mac with Boot Camp Assistant.
How do I install Windows 10 on my Mac without Boot Camp? ›- Get an External Hard Drive.
- Get an External Keyboard & Mouse.
- Download a Windows ISO File.
- Download Etcher.
- Disable T2 Chip Security.
- Download Boot Camp Support Drivers.
- Create a Windows Boot Drive.
- Boot Windows From Your External Drive.
- Step 1: Visit Microsoft's Download Windows 10 Disc Image (ISO File) page. ...
- Step 2: Once the ISO download is completed, launch Boot Camp Assistant in Applications → Utilities and click Continue.
- Step 3: Click the Choose button next to the ISO image box, and select the ISO file downloaded in step 1.
You can enjoy Windows 10 on your Apple Mac with the help of Boot Camp Assistant. Once installed, it allows you to easily switch between macOS and Windows by simply restarting your Mac. For details and installation steps, follow the instructions at https://support.apple.com/HT201468.
Can my macbook run Windows 11? ›Download and install Parallels for Mac. The latest version of Parallels 17 now automatically downloads and installs Windows 11 from Microsoft which makes it incredibly easy to install Windows 11 on all Macs including Intel and M1/M2 Macs.
Is win11 better than 10? ›In short, updating to Windows 11 means a more snappy experience where apps load faster and your PC wakes from sleep with ease. Windows 10 fast, but Windows 11 is just a bit faster.
Is Windows 11 free forever? ›
Once you complete the upgrade, your Windows 10 license will be converted to a Windows 11 license. So yes, you will always have it and will not be asked for extra fees.
How much does a copy of Windows 11 cost? ›Buy Windows from Microsoft: $139 - $199
You can get Windows 10 Home (opens in new tab) or Windows 11 Home for $139 (opens in new tab). And you can get Windows 10 Pro (opens in new tab) or Windows 11 Pro for $199 (opens in new tab). You can get these either as downloads or on USB drives.
To install Windows 11, run Parallels Desktop, then click on the Parallels icon in the Mac menu bar > Control Center > + > Get Windows 11 from Microsoft > Continue > Install Windows. Windows will be downloaded and installed automatically.
Can you download Windows 11 on a flash drive? ›Most USB drives with at least 8GB of space should work for installation, and the Media Creation utility on the Windows website will format the Windows 11 boot USB for you.
How do I force install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware? ›- Open Microsoft Support website.
- Under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)” section, select the Windows 11 option.
- Click the Download button.
- Select the installation language.
- Click the Confirm button.
Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities and launch Boot Camp Assistant. Select Continue, and check the option to Create a Windows 10 or later install disk. Select the Windows 10 ISO image from Mac's internal storage and select Continue. Boot Camp Assistant will create the bootable Windows 10 USB.
What is the Windows ISO file for Mac? ›A Windows ISO image or VHDX file is a downloaded version of the operating system that you can use to install it on other machines including Macs.
Is Boot Camp free for Mac? ›Boot Camp is a free utility in macOS that allows you to install Windows for free on your Mac.
Can you wipe a Mac and install Windows? ›Reboot your MacBook and when it's powering on, press and hold Alt (option) key on your keyboard. Once boot manager appears, select the EFI Boot or Windows option. This will start the installer. Give it a few minutes and once the button to begin the installation appears, press it.
How do I install Windows 10 from my MacBook using USB? ›Open Boot Camp Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. Follow the onscreen instructions. If you're asked to insert a USB drive, plug your USB flash drive into your Mac. Boot Camp Assistant will use it to create a bootable USB drive for Windows installation.
How do I install Windows 10 on my IMAC 2011? ›
- Step 1: Disable El Capitan's System Integrity Protection. ...
- Step 2: Modify Bootcamp to allow creation of a bootable USB. ...
- Step 3: Download the Bootcamp Windows Support Software. ...
- Step 4: Create the bootable Windows 10 USB. ...
- Step 5: Create the bootcamp partition. ...
- Step 6: Delete the Hybrid MBR. ...
- Step 7: Install Windows.
- Update Your Mac.
- Download Windows 10 ISO.
- Use Boot Camp to Install Windows 10.
- Set Up Windows 10 on Mac.
- Update Windows 10 on Mac.
- Run Boot Camp Installer.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi Network.
- Install Apple Software Update.
Firstly, it's important to be aware that you cannot install Windows 11 on Apple Silicon M1 or M2 Macs using Boot Camp. However, there are ways to install Windows 11 on M1 & M2 Macs without Boot Camp. Boot Camp does not work on Apple Silicon M1 & M2 Macs. It only works on Intel Macs.
Is Rufus available for Mac? ›Can I Use Rufus On Mac? You cannot use Rufus on a Mac. Rufus only works on 32 bit 64 bit versions of Windows XP/7/8/10 only.
How can I run Windows on my Mac? ›With Boot Camp, you can install and use Windows on your Intel-based Mac. Boot Camp Assistant helps you set up a Windows partition on your Mac computer's hard disk and then start the installation of your Windows software.
How can I download Windows 10 for free? ›- Step 1: Your first step in acquiring a free Windows 10 upgrade is to visit Microsoft's download Windows 10 webpage.
- Step 2: Select the Download tool now button.
- Step 3: Launch the Media Creation Tool.
- Step 4: Once it is downloaded, open it, and accept Microsoft's terms.
It's important to be aware however that on Apple Silicon M1 & M2 Macs, you can only run the Windows 11 For ARM version which is not compatible with many Windows games and applications. You also can't dual boot Windows on M1 or M2 Macs yet using Apple Boot Camp as Boot Camp does not work on Apple Silicon Macs.
Can I install Windows 11 on Mac M1? ›How To Install Windows 11 On M1 / M2 Mac With UTM on MacOS Ventura
Is Parallels free on Mac? ›Free Parallels Access subscription is offered along with the following Parallels Desktop for Mac licenses: perpetual licenses for Parallels Desktop for Mac (3 months) subscriptions for Parallels Desktop for Mac (for the period of the subscription)
Can you install Windows 10 on M1 Mac? ›This means you can't dual boot in Windows or macOS on an M1 or M2 Mac like you can on Intel Macs. So since Boot Camp doesn't work with the M1 chip, Parallels is therefore the best way to install Windows on an M1 or M2 Mac in 2022.
Does Windows 11 use more RAM? ›
Yes, Windows 11 uses more RAM than earlier versions of Windows. This is because Windows 11 includes a lot of new features and programs that require more memory to run. On average, Windows 11 uses about 4 GB of RAM.
Does Windows 11 make your computer slower? ›2. Will Windows 11 Slow Down My PC? Windows 11 is faster than Windows 10. However, some users is experiencing slow performance issue due to low disk storage or outdated drivers.
Why is my Windows 11 so laggy? ›Unnecessary startup services – If you don't keep the startup services that are allowed to run in check, you will eventually get to a point where Windows 11 will slow down, especially immediately after a fresh startup, as your OS has to load a lot of 3rd party services.
How many gigabytes is Windows 11? ›If you're upgrading directly from Windows 10 to Windows 11, the download size is about 3.5 GB. And, you need to make sure that you have at least 64GB of free space. If you install Windows 11 using an . ISO file, plan on having 25 GB of free space at least.
What versions of Windows are free? ›Microsoft allows anyone to download Windows 10 for free and install it without a product key. It'll keep working for the foreseeable future, with only a few small cosmetic restrictions. And you can even pay to upgrade to a licensed copy of Windows 10 after you install it.
Should I update Windows 11 2022? ›The Windows 11 update makes your PC easier to use
The new Windows 11 update adds a faster, more accurate search to the Start menu, Quick Settings, as well as better local and current events coverage on your Widgets board. In October, Windows 11 will get a long-requested feature -- tabs in File Explorer.
Is 8GB RAM enough for Windows 11? Windows 11 RAM requirement is 4GB. 8GB RAM can run Windows 11 and some other basic software. But if you want to run some productive software, 8GB is not enough.
Can I buy a copy of Windows 11? ›Buy and download Windows 11 Home to experience the benefits today.
How long does Windows 11 take to install? ›If you're installing Windows 11 from scratch, using a USB installation drive, on a powerful computer equipped with a fast NVMe solid-state drive and a good internet connection, the whole process should take somewhere between 10 to 20 minutes at most.
How do I make a bootable USB drive for Windows 11? ›- Connect your USB flash drive of at least 8GB to your PC. ...
- Next, visit the Microsoft download center page.
- Under the Create Windows 11 Installation Media section, click the Download Now button and save the file to your PC.
How do I install an ISO file? ›
Mount the ISO File in Windows 11, 10, or 8.1
Download the ISO image, then open File Explorer and right-click on the file. From the pop-up menu, select the Mount command. This will open a virtual drive that is visible in File Explorer, from which you can install the software.
- Download Windows 11 ISO file.
- Right-click the ISO file, select the Open with submenu, and choose the Windows Explorer option.
- Click on the mounted drive from the left navigation pane.
- Double-click the Setup file to begin the Windows 11 upgrade process.
To create a Windows 11 installation drive, you'll need an empty 8GB USB drive, a Windows PC and up to a few hours of your time. You can download the system image using a Linux computer or Mac, but we're going to focus on using a PC for this guide.
How do I bypass Windows 11 system requirements? ›- Bypass the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot Requirements.
- Perform an In-Place Upgrade.
- Use the WinPass11 Guided Installer.
- Use a Registry Edit hack.
- Use PowerISO to Convert the WIM to ESD.
Installing Windows 11 on this PC is not recommended and may result in compatibility issues. If you proceed with installing Windows 11, your PC will no longer be supported and won't be entitled to receive updates. Damages to your PC due to lack of compatibility aren't covered under the manufacturer warranty.
How do I install Windows 11 without TPM and secure boot? ›...
Just follow these three steps:
- Open Rufus and click Select to select the ISO file.
- Go to Image options and choose “Extended Windows 11 Installation (no TPM/ no Secure Boot)” from the list.
- Press Start and wait for the process to complete.
Users can download Windows 11 the same way you'd get any new version of Windows. Just go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for Updates. You'll see Feature update to Windows 11. Click Download and install.
How do I get Windows 11 on my Mac? ›To install Windows 11, run Parallels Desktop, then click on the Parallels icon in the Mac menu bar > Control Center > + > Get Windows 11 from Microsoft > Continue > Install Windows. Windows will be downloaded and installed automatically.
Is Microsoft Windows 11 free? ›How much does it cost to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11? It's free. But only Windows 10 PCs that are running the most current version of Windows 10 and meet the minimum hardware specifications will be able to upgrade.
Is Parallels free on Mac? ›Free Parallels Access subscription is offered along with the following Parallels Desktop for Mac licenses: perpetual licenses for Parallels Desktop for Mac (3 months) subscriptions for Parallels Desktop for Mac (for the period of the subscription)
How much does a copy of Windows 11 cost? ›
Buy Windows from Microsoft: $139 - $199
You can get Windows 10 Home (opens in new tab) or Windows 11 Home for $139 (opens in new tab). And you can get Windows 10 Pro (opens in new tab) or Windows 11 Pro for $199 (opens in new tab). You can get these either as downloads or on USB drives.
- Update Your Mac.
- Download Windows 10 ISO.
- Use Boot Camp to Install Windows 10.
- Set Up Windows 10 on Mac.
- Update Windows 10 on Mac.
- Run Boot Camp Installer.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi Network.
- Install Apple Software Update.
- From the Clover boot screen, select Boot macOS Install from Install macOS Catalina. ...
- Select your desired Language, and click the forward arrow.
- Select Disk Utility from the macOS Utilities menu.
- Click your PC hard drive in the left column.
- Click Erase.
- Check your Secure Boot setting. Learn how to check your Secure Boot setting. ...
- Use Boot Camp Assistant to create a Windows partition. ...
- Format the Windows (BOOTCAMP) partition. ...
- Install Windows. ...
- Use the Boot Camp installer in Windows.
In short, updating to Windows 11 means a more snappy experience where apps load faster and your PC wakes from sleep with ease. Windows 10 fast, but Windows 11 is just a bit faster.
Can I activate Windows 10 for free? ›Microsoft allows anyone to download Windows 10 for free and install it without a product key. It'll keep working for the foreseeable future, with only a few small cosmetic restrictions. And you can even pay to upgrade to a licensed copy of Windows 10 after you install it.
How much does it cost to activate Windows 11? ›Windows 11 digital licenses are now available through the Microsoft Store. Windows 11 Home costs $139, while Windows 11 Pro costs $200. Performing a clean install of Windows 11 will still require a USB drive, but the digital license will be emailed to you immediately after purchase.
Is Boot Camp for Mac free? ›Boot Camp is a free utility in macOS that allows you to install Windows for free on your Mac.
How do I install Parallels on my Mac for free? ›- Download the Parallels Desktop installer to your Mac.
- Double-click the . dmg installation file to mount it in Finder, then double-click Install.
- Read through the Software License Agreement and click Accept.
- Once prompted, enter your local Mac user password to finalize the installation.
Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac costs $99.99 per year, but is also available as a perpetual license for $129.99. The Pro edition costs $119.99 per year while the Business Edition will cost $149.99 per year.
Is 8GB RAM good for Windows 11? ›
Is 8GB RAM enough for Windows 11? Windows 11 RAM requirement is 4GB. 8GB RAM can run Windows 11 and some other basic software. But if you want to run some productive software, 8GB is not enough.
Can I buy a copy of Windows 11? ›Buy and download Windows 11 Home to experience the benefits today.
How long does Windows 11 take to install? ›If you're installing Windows 11 from scratch, using a USB installation drive, on a powerful computer equipped with a fast NVMe solid-state drive and a good internet connection, the whole process should take somewhere between 10 to 20 minutes at most.