To download Boot Camp 4 or 5 go to our downloads section.
Click here.
What is Boot Camp 5?
Boot camp 5 is an Apple release of Windows Support Software which is drivers for Windows OS. This allows you to run Windows 8 or Windows 7 and Vista on your Mac.
For more information on how to install boot camp 5 on your Mac see the 123myIT tutorial on how to install Windows 8 on your Mac.
The following Macs support Windows 8.
MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or newer)
Mac Book Pro (15-inch and 17-inch, Mid 2010) and MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or newer)
Mac Pro (Early 2009 or newer)
Mac Mini (Mid 2011 or newer)
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010 or Mid 2011 or newer)
How can I install Windows 8 on my Mac?
To install Windows 8 on your Mac you need to run the Boot Camp Assistant. The Boot Camp Assistant will help you partition your internal hard drive and install Windows 8.
Can I upgrade my Windows 7 installation to Windows 8?
Yes. However you need to download and install the latest version of Boot Camp support software, which is currently Boot Camp 5. Do this before attempting to upgrade the version of Windows 7 to Windows 8.
When doing an upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8, I get an “Uninstall USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller Driver” message, What does this mean?
Do not click Uninstall. Click on the back button and do not proceed with the upgrade. Download the most recent Boot Camp Assistant in OS X Mountain Lion and then try the upgrade again.
My Thunderbolt devices are not recognized after I upgraded Windows 7 to Windows 8. Is there a way to fix this?
You need to disable the Windows 8 Fast Boot feature, this will allow the Thunderbolt devices to be recognized.
What OS X version do I need to run to use the Boot Camp 5 support software?
To run Boot Camp 5 you will need OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.3 or later installed on your Mac to download boot camp 5 support software.
Can I download a copy of the Boot Camp 5 Support Software if I don’t have a Mac running OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.3?
You can download the Boot Camp 5 Support Software from the Apple website. The link is here.
After downloading the Boot Camp 5 Support Software, what do I do next?
Once you download the Boot Camp 5 Support Software you will need to unzip it to extract it.
1. Double click the zip file to extract it.
2. Click on the Boot Camp disk image.
3. Copy the Boot Camp and “$WinPEDriver$” folders to the USB flash drive or any hard drive that is formatted with the FAT file system (you will need to format the drive with FAT to allow the files to be read in both OS X and Windows).
4. Start the install of Windows and leave the USB flash or hard drive attached to your Mac.
5. Let the installation run until it completes.
6. Let your system restart and your Windows 8 installation is complete.
NOTE: If you didn’t have the USB or Hard drive attached when you were doing the install of Windows 8 you can install the Windows Support Software by going into the USB drive into the Boot Camp folder and then double click the “setup.exe” file. This will install all the drivers and software to make you sound Wifi and other devices work.
How do I format a USB or Hard drive with FAT file system?
Want to know how to format a disk to be used on a Windows computer? Read more below.
Important: Be careful when formatting your USB drive as formatting the drive will delete all the data on the drive.
1. Login to OS X
2. Open Disk Utility.
3. Click on the disk you want to format with FAT.
4. Click Erase, and depending on the size of the drive you will have two options.
If the size is less than 32 GB, you will need to choose MS-DOS (FAT).
If the size is greater than 32 GB, you will need to choose ExFAT.
5. Next you will need to type a name for the disk.
6. Click on the Erase button and then click on Erase again.
Which versions of Windows are supported with Boot Camp 5?
Important details about Boot Camp 5.
Windows 8 and Windows 7 64-bit versions are supports by Boot Camp 5 Support Software. If you want to use a 32-bit version of Windows 7 you will need to use the Boot Camp 4 Support Software. Currently Windows 8 32-bit version is not supported via Boot Camp.
When I format the drive during the installation, it still does not let me click ‘next’, I dont think that it formatted it to an NTFS Drive. Have you got a solution for this?
Hi Ryan
Sure you can click on the drive hit format or delete then click new and apply.
Make sure you do that on the drive that is called Bootcamp.
Once this is done press next.
Good luck.
Matt
When installing windows 8, i get to the select partition menu and delete BOOTCAMP partition and the it becomes “something..allocated space” and i then click on it and and the next button is still not able to be clicked and it has the little yellow hazard thing in the bottom left of the window. I then click “New” and click “Apply”, and then an error message comes up. PLZZZ HELP ME!!
Hi Shawn
Please let me know what the error is?
So have you seen this video and are up to 8:34?
https://www.123myit.com/2013/06/how-to-install-windows-8-on-a-mac-with-boot-camp-easy-version/
Cheers
Matt
Hey! I have three questions which trouble me, hopefully you could answer one or two!
1. Firstly now that I have Windows 7 can I download Steam games, and play them, will it glitch at all?
2. Soon i’m getting a Razer Keyboard and how will I change operating systems? Do I hold Alt or is their another Windows Keyboard button?
3. Lastly, this is probably the hardest, I have around 50 Gb taken of my Mac Os Hard drive, and i’m wondering is it possible to add more usage to the Windows Drive?
Hopefully you can answer some of the questions thanks! -Bradley
Hi Bradley
Thanks for subscribing and leaving the thumbs up its really helpful.
I don’t know off the top of my head the way to resize an already created Bootcamp partition. However you can go back and delete the drive and create it again. I have created a video called “how-to-remove-a-bootcamp-partition-and-install-windows-support-software-from-apple” which explains in more detail.
You can see it here.
Under system preferences in Apple you will have a app called Startup Disk. This allows you to set which drive OS X or Windows that you want your Mac to boot into all the time automatically.
IF you are playing Windows games on a Mac then running bootcamp is the best way to do this as you are running Windows directly from the hard drive and not within a Virtual Machine.
However my advice to you would be to make sure you run the NVidia driver from the support software. This is very important as you will need it for the 3D Games. If you don’t have that driver you might have some problems with 3D games. Once this is installed you shouldn’t have any issues with Windows games is should be the same experience as running Windows on a PC designed for Windows.
Your keyboard will work fine. Just hold down your ALT button and you will be fine.
Good Luck.
Cheers
Matt
On your YouTube video you state that Windows 8 can be installed on an older Mac there is just no driver support from apple. I am attempting to install Windows 8 Pro onto a 2007 iMac but I get an error stating “This Mac only supports Windows 7” I continue and then I get the error “Can’t install the software because it is not currently available from the software update server. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
DI
Hi Duran
Try installing Windows 7 and see if you get any problems. Once installed and running Windows 7 pop in the Windows 8 disc and upgrade it. You should be good to go.
Cheers
Matt
I’ve already purchased and opened Windows 8. Is there anyway to install Windows 7 other than purchasing it due to the fact that I have already purchased Windows 8? If not do you know if I can return an opened/ unused Windows 8?
Hi Duran
Do you have a friend who has a copy of Windows 7 handy ?
Otherwise you will have to find it through other means.
Good luck.
I encountered a problem installing parallels desktop 9 on my mac.
After I started the installation, and after “copying files” and “Initializing parallels…”, a window appeared saying ” My Boot Camp, click to start”. When i did so, it said “A file or device required for the operation of Hard Disk 1 does not exist or is used by another process, or you have no permission to access it. The virtual machine will continue running, but the device will be disconnected.”
When I clicked ‘OK’ i saw “No Boot device is available, Press Enter to continue”, and this same message was repeated over and over when I click ‘OK’
I was looking at how to install parallels desktop but none of these issues appeared on the videos. I don’t know what to do.
Can you help me please?
Thank you.
Hi bottomh
I have not used parallels desktop 9, so I cant advise you on this sorry.
Good luck.
hi when i install windows 8.1 on mac OSX 10.9.1 via Boot camp this message pop up, Boot Camp Assistant did not detect the presence of Windows support software. The support software is required to install Windows. Insert a USB drive containing the support software, or click Go Back to download the software.
i have already download windows support software please help me
Hi saeed
Hmm that’s a good question. Out of interest what is the format of your USB drive?
Cheers
Matt
hi i have the same problem, the format of the usb is MS DOS FAT 32
thank you
HI Ahmed FatHy Muhammed
What problem is that ?
Cheers
Matt
thank you so much, i solved my problem
Hi Ahmed FatHy Muhammed
I am glad you worked it out. Thanks for getting back to me.
Cheers
Matt
I am getting the same error message but have the folders on a usb formatted for ms dos fat. “Boot Camp Assistant did not detect the presence of Windows support software. The support software is required to install Windows. Insert a USB drive containing the support software, or click Go Back to download the software.” How did you solve?
Hi John,
Try moving the file back into the document folder and try the process again.
Does that work?
Cheers
Matt
Unfortunately, this does not work either. I have tried putting it on the same usb as the iso image, I have also tried the documents on my mac hard disk, and I have tried putting it on a totally different usb ms-dos(FAT) format and still giving me the same error at the partitioning section, right before the install. I appreciate your help!
Hi John
Where did you get the iso file from? If is not a legit one it might not detect the file.
Cheers
Matt
how to instal windows 7 a bootcamp 5.1.1 on macbook pro mid 2010?
help me please
os x maverick 10.9.2
Hi thofa
There is a Mavericks video here.
https://www.123myit.com/2014/03/install-windows-8-1-mac-running-os-x-mavericks/
For you model I would suggest stick with Windows 7 as you will have all the correct drivers.
Cheers
Matt
HI thofa
You can find some videos to help you here.
https://www.123myit.com/2013/04/how-to-install-windows-7-on-an-apple-mac-running-bootcamp/
Cheers
Matt
Hi,
How do I upgrade to the full version of windows 8, having installed the bootcamp version you provided?
Cheers
HI Henry
You need to buy it by going to the Microsoft store any downloading Windows 8.1 Pro.
Or you can remove it and reinstall if you want to use it for another month:)
Good luck, let me know how you go.
Cheers
Matt
Hello,
I am having difficulty getting my thunderbolt device recognized. I have gone in a turned the fast boot option off, but it looks like I am getting no power to the device…it still isn’t being recognized. I have windows 8.1 on a late 2013 macpro. I’m still also having issues getting the audio to playback from the speakers or headphones, it only seems to want to play through the HDMI.
Any thoughts?
Jim
HI James
You need to make sure the windows support software is installed on Windows for your Mac.
To download it click the link below.
MacBook Pro.
Cheers
Matt
I partitioned my MacBook Pro and installed Windows 8.1 pro preview version, but now I want to actually install a legit Windows 8.1 home version (not pro). What do I need to do to upgrade to a paid version? I read that if I was previously running an older operating system it should do an update, but I wasn’t. I don’t want to pay over $100 for something that won’t work in my situation. Btw…this site has been the ONLY helpful site I found for this issue, so Thank you!
Hi Jamie
Take a look at this video below.
How to Upgrade & Activate Windows 8.1 Preview
Cheers
Matt
When im installing windows after i format my bootcamp disc partition i get this message: windows cannot be installed to this disk. the selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only ne installed to GPT disks.
What can I do to solve this problem?
HI Porfirio Lobo
Try following this video below.
GPT Partition error
Good luck
Matt
I still keep getting the same error 🙁
Hi Porfirio Lobo
Then the only advise I can offer it to back up OS X data and reload OS X then run the boot camp assistant again. It was the only way I could resolve this issue.
Build yourself a mavericks usb drive.
https://www.123myit.com/2014/01/create-bootable-os-x-mavericks-usb-drive/
And do a clean install below.
https://www.123myit.com/2014/03/clean-install-os-x-mavericks-usb/
Good luck
Matt
Hi,
I got a Problem with creating a Partition for Windows on my MacbookPro. I´ve got Yosemite installed.
I´m on the step where you can choose how much GB you wanna use for Windows and when i want to install it the error “the hard disk couldn´t make Partition….” Comes.
what can i do?Is there a better way to install Windows 8.1 on mac…
how can i solve this without doing the whole process with bootcamp assistant again…it takes so much time -.-
thank you very much 🙂
Hi anna
Try this video and see if it helps.
Fix GPT Error: Windows cannot be installed to this disk
Cheers
Matt
Hi thank you,
What can i do if i did everything you did in your video but i still can’t choose the bootcamp partition when it asks where i want to install it! I did format it an nothing…can you help me please 🙂
Thank you
HI Anna
In this case you might not like the next step. It seems allot of people myself included have this issue with the partitions not working correctly.
The only way I have been able to fix it was do a fresh install of OS X. Its a long winded process but seems to work. If you are up for it then the first step is to backup your data.
How to Backup a Mac with Time Machine
the next step would be to reinstall OS X, I have not made a video for Yosemite yet, however you can try this MAvericks video below to create a USB which you will use to format the drive and reinstall Yosemite.
How to create a bootable OS X Mavericks usb drive
then
How to do a clean install of OS X Mavericks from USB
After all this is done you would then try the boot camp install again.
At some stage when I get some time I will create the process for these videos with Yosemite.
Its just getting the time to do it 🙂
I hope that helps and good luck.
Cheers
Matt
Thank you, but i now installed the VMware Fusion and run my windows there…hope it will work good for technical drawings and renderings!
And now i can delete the boot-partition right? because i don´t need it 🙂
Hi
I am a new Macbook Air 11inch owner(Early 2014, Updated to Yosmite 10.10.1). I am new to this Mac OS.
I was trying to figure out on how to install Windows8 in this from your site for past two days. Your video shows how to install a Windows8.1 Blue Preview(License is there in your site), but if I am trying to install Windows8-64bit for my Mac.
Now my doubt is which key I should use to activate it. Do I need to buy? Plz comment.
Regards
Jaisal
HI Jaisal
As far as I am aware you can only buy or get Windows 8.1 now not Windows 8. So unless you have the ISO or DVD of Windows 8, you would have to go back to Microsoft and ask them for a copy of DVD to match your product code for Windows 8.
Otherwise if you were to buy a copy of Windows 8.1 you can buy them through the 123myIT.com Store.
Once you have purchased the copy you can download it and save it to USB or ISO.
Video here.
Create installation media
Good luck
Matt
I have a Macbook Air Early 2014 with 8gb RAM
When I try to create a windows 7 install disk through bootcamp, I get an Error saying “Boot Camp only supports Windows 7 or later installation on this platform. Please use an ISO file for Windows 7 or later installation” . I already know its an iso file with 64bit windows 7 software. Please help me.
HI Vinit
Move the ISO file to your Documents folder and select it from there.
Cheers
Matt
Hi, I have a late 2013 retina 15″ and am getting that same error message for both windows 10 TP and windows 7. I have moved both to my documents and it changes nothing. Anything you can recommend would be a help!
Hi Max,
A few people are getting this issue, If you have moved the file to the documents folder and have tried both 64 bit and 32 bit file?
Where did you get the iso file from ?
Cheers
Matt
I will try the 32 bit now. I got the iso from the windows website. Win7 I got from other websites..
Hi Max
Yeah, I think half the time people use iso files from non legit sources. There is no way to know if the iso has been setup correctly.
Cheers
Matt
Tried 32 bit. 64 bit only.
The windows 10 ISO came FROM windows though. It worked several months ago, but is not any longer.
Hi Max,
What changes have you made since then? Any ISO updates?
Cheers
Matt
Not that I am aware of! I am in the beta for yosemite but I wouldn’t assume that would make a difference.
Matt?
HI Max
It should be all the same, as far as I am aware nothing has changed. I have recently updated the Windows 10 ISO files.
https://www.123myit.com/downloads/
Windows 10 Insider Preview ISO June 2015 Update
I will try it again soon and see if I have the same issue.
Cheers
Matt
Using Bootcamp 5 on my 2014 imac (running Yoemite) I have followed instructions in Bootcamp and copied over a full version of windows 8.1 iso file together with support files. Everything looks fine. I have created an appropriate partition as requested entered the windows product key etc and the installation begins. However, it does get past 77% of the installation procedure and just hangs. No error messages is presented. Can you help?
HI steeled
Does it give you any error?
Can you re download the iso file and try a different USB?
Cheers
Matt
Please help me. I tired installing windows 8 on my mac pro late 2013. when i get to the personalise screen where i am meant to write the pc name. my keyboard wont work. Please what can I do?
Hi eddy
You will have to plug in a external USB keyboard to get your past this stage. Once you are in windows you will need to install the boot camp drivers for your model.
https://www.123myit.com/boot-camp-drivers/
Cheers
Matt
Please I have tried it but it still doesn’t work. What could really be the problem and what could be the solution. Thank you very much
Hi Eddy
As I mentioned before the drivers are not installed. You need to install these drivers before it will work.
https://www.123myit.com/boot-camp-drivers/
Cheers
Matt
Hi, I have a Macbook Pro, 13inch, Early 2011 model, is Windows 8.1 supported on my current machine? I keep running into the problem of the Windows 8.1 install disc I burned the preview copy to not being recognized in Bootcamp even after following the videos down to the letter. Starting to think its not compatible.
HI Nate Austin
Check the boot camp drivers for support for your model of Mac.
https://www.123myit.com/boot-camp-drivers/macbook-pro/
Cheers
Matt
Hello
i am trying to create a windows 8.1 usb boot. I have Mac OSX 10.10, for this i use Boot Camp but i become always this message “Boot Camp only supports Windows 7 installation on this platform. Please use an ISO file for Windows 7 installation.” i don’t know why, i looked in the Internet but i didn’t found anything. i also tried 4 windows 8.1 x64 ISO files. can you help me please
Hi Omar
Its because you Mac hardware is old. Just ignore the message and continue along.
Check out the boot camp drivers page here.
https://www.123myit.com/boot-camp-drivers/
Cheers
Matt
Touchpad not working after installing windows 8 on my Macbook pro ( mid 2012) . any solution please.
Hi Mousa
Go here. MacBook Pro
Cheers
Matt
I’m having MacBook Pro early 2011 running yosmite please i want to know what are the errors i might met when running the bootcamp installing win 8.1 / solutions and also if its possible to transfer my current win8.1 from my fusion into the bootcamp.
Thanks
Hi Eseyor
You will need to install Windows from DVD for your Mac. So to do this you will need to use a Windows DVD install Windows.
And no the USB is only needed to install the boot camp drivers for your Mac model after you have installed this you can remove the USB from your Mac. I don’t believe you can transfer the Windows install from Fusion. But if you find out that you can please let me know.
Thanks
Matt
Please i need to understand if creating the usb bootable does it mean we’re running the OS from the USB always?
Greetings, I downloaded Windows 7 Ultimate successfully but I’m having problems with the Internet connection. I have a MacBook Air mid 2011 version and Im not sure which set of drivers should I download. One more thing,once downloaded what am I supposed to do? Thank you again!
Hi Herry
You will need the boot camp drivers for your Mac.
Look here MACBOOK AIR
Cheers
Matt
How to fix when I install window 7 on Macbook Pro using bootcamp after restart it appear “no bootable drive-insert boot disk an press any key?
Hi ricky
This means it it maybe looking for a DVD. What version of Mac hardware do you have?
How to find which Mac model you have
cheers
Matt
Excuse me ,
Hello 😀
I’m sorry but I can’t find the download link anymore. :<
HI Celine
Which link are you after ?
Cheers
Matt
so its downloading in the boot camp assistant on my flash drive and 75% it stops and says the installer disc could not be found. i tried this twice and same message. also it ask to me add a new helper tool? i took a screenshot but idk how to post it here
Hi Loc,
What Mac Model are you using ?
How to find which Mac model you have
Cheers
Matt
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012)
pls help
Hi sir, i really need help. After i run boot camp assistant, when my macbook pro 13″ mid 2012 can’t bootup. There is message NO BOOTABLE DEVICE. I tried many startup shortcut key. Like press and hold alt option during startup, but nothing happen, i’m also try to press and hold command+r also it cant enter to recovery mode. Please help sir.
Thanks so much.
Hi Surianto
Burn the Windows iso file to a DVD and use that.
How to Burn an ISO or DMG file to DVD on a Mac
Cheers
Matt
pls have been trying to install windows 8.1 using external dvd rom , have been able to partition the disk through boot camp assistant but the windows 8.1 dvd is not booting to windows set up pls can some one help urgently
Hi GOSHEN
Which version of MacBook are you using ?
How to find which Mac model you have
Cheers
Matt
Hi!
Everytime I want to install windows it tells me that I had a network problem but the connection with the internet is OK. What do I need to do?
Hi Carmen,
Which part are you up to?
Cheers
Matt
hi, can anyone help me?
1. I downloaded the windows support software on imac osx lion 10.7.5
and i downloaded bootcamp support software on 123myIT site
Do I have to delete the Windows support software from BootCamp Assistant?
or I have to keep both ?
2. I keep having these errors : No bootable device, digital signature failed to verified…?
I’ve been trying to install Windows 8.1 for 4 days and keep failing and getting errors
Many thanks plz Help D:
Hi Thomas,
No boot device means that it cant see either the USB or the DVD.
Look up what model you have.
How to find which Mac model you have
Cheers
Matt
Hi folks
1) iMac + OS 10.12 Sierra
2) Installing Windows 10 with Bootcamp works fine until the drivers are asked for.
3) “Windows Support Software” downloads fine on the USB flash drive (FAT32).
4) Opening the flash drive on the Mac shows the presence of the “setup.exe” file
5) Back on the Windows installation process, the Bootcamp folder is there OK, but there is no setup.exe file in it.
So I keep being stuck.
Any solution ?
Thanks
That’s weird. Check that Windows defender isn’t scanning and deleting the exe 🙂
Try also renaming the exe to doc and see if it stays there.
Heya,
I using a High Sierra Mac Book pro early 2011, and i’m trying to download Windows 8. Windows 7 is not possible after it’s discontinuation of 2020, and i’m unable to get Windows 10 as the options are not showing up for it.
Currently I have gotten the file for Bootcamp 5 so it can then be possible to get Windows 8. But then this is where i’m stuck and unable to use the Bootcamp 5.
Hopefully this message sees you in good health and that I may receive a notice from you soon. Thank you
You might need to use Windows XP.