I recently installed Windows XP on a Macbook Pro running Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.6. Here’s my experience, why I did it and what you can expect when doing something like this.
Running Windows on a Macbook Pro
Yes, you can run Windows XP on a Macbook Pro. You can also run Windows 7 on a Macbook Pro too. But for this story, I’m using Windows XP.
I’ve got a Macbook Pro that’s freakin’ cool and was purchased in January 2011. It’s got a 500 GB hard drive, so there’s a plenty of space to run two Operating Systems.
The person who will be using this is NOT an experienced computer person and is the only person who will be using his Macbook Pro.
Virtual Machines
Virtual Machines or VMs as they’re known are great. VMs allow you to run two operating systems on one machine. In this case we’ll be running Mac OS X and Windows XP.
More specifically, you can run Windows XP in a window on the Mac OS as it’s running. So you would fire up your Mac, and start a VM that would run Windows XP at the same time.
This allows you to use both operating systems at the same time.
However, because the person who will be using this setup is a novice computer user, we’re going to setup Windows XP as a dual-boot setup.
The person only needs to use one application that requires Windows XP, so when he’s done using that application, he can reboot the machine into the Mac OS.
For some people, this is simpler. Some folks have a hard time understanding the VM concept and it becomes a bit more confusing to them.
In review then, a VM allows you to run two operating systems at once, and a dual-boot setup allows you to run one OS at a time.
With that said, here are two products you could buy if you want to setup Windows as a VM under Mac OS X. As a side note, I have set this up for two people who are more experienced Mac users and they totally understand the VM concept.
VMware for Mac ($79.99) (not an affiliate link) – You can download a free trial.
Parallels for Mac ($79.99) (not an affiliate link) – You can download a free trial.
You can also use the freely available Virtual Box software as well. I have not used Virtual Box so I won’t talk about it in this article. But check it out if you don’t want to plunk down $80.00 or so for one of the other two solutions.
I’ve used both VMware and Parallels and they both work great.
Apple’s Boot Camp
Apple’s Boot Camp is a free utility that comes with the Macbook Pro and is located in the Utilities folder. This is the software that controls dual booting for the Mac.
Preparation
First, let’s get our stuff in order to pull this off:
- A Ton of Patience
- One Western Digital 1 TB External Hard Drive to Backup Mac OS
- One External Hard Drive to Backup Windows XP
- Windows XP SP2 CD with valid key
- Apple Mac OS X Snow Leopard Install Disk
- Apple’s Boot Camp Installation & Setup Guide (link opens in a new window)
Okay, let’s get dirty.
Steps to Install Windows XP on a Macbook Pro
Here are 10 steps to make it through the process of setting this up.
First Things First: Before doing any of this, I used the Western Digital 1 TB External Hard Drive FIRST to backup my Mac OS. I used Time Machine to do a complete backup. It works great and restores great too.
1. Run Apple Boot Camp
As I pointed out, Boot Camp is an Apple product and it’s free. It’s also located in the Mac Utilites folder. You use it to partition space for Windows XP on the same hard drive as the Mac OS.
For this installation I used 100 GB out of a 500 GB hard drive because I knew the person was only going to be running one application under Windows XP and besides he doesn’t like Windows XP anyway.
2. Follow the Instructions
The downloadable PDF Boot Camp Installation & Setup Guide mentioned above is a great guide for this process. I had it open all the time on another PC during the whole process. Read through it before you begin.
3. Format Your Windows Partition
After the 100 GB partition was created, I rebooted into Windows XP SP2 CD. I had previously tried Windows XP SP3 but ran into a problem during the installation.
Windows XP SP3 could not find the hal.dll driver even though it was there. I tried to edit a system file to point directly at it but it just wouldn’t work.
I knew if I went back to Windows XP SP2 that later the Microsoft Updates would install SP3.
I formatted my Windows XP drive as an NTFS partition. One note on this, you won’t be able to transfer files between the Mac OS and Windows XP OS because of NTFS. If you pick FAT32 you can transfer files between the two operating systems.
4. Finish the Windows XP Install and Enter the Windows Install Key
At this point there are a lot of screens you’ll fill out as Windows XP installs, so I won’t point out any details during installation. They’ll be dependent on your own installation requirements.
Probably the most frustrating thing is to get almost all the way done with an install and have Windows ask you for the install key – and you don’t have it or you don’t have the right one.
With all my Windows install disks, I’ve always written the install key on the CD with a Sharpie. That way I don’t go running around everywhere trying to find it.
Reminder: During reboots, hold down the “Option” key to select which operating system you want to boot into. This is easy to forget while working with Windows. When you go to reboot into Windows, you might end up in the Mac OS. So just remember that handy-dandy “Option” key.
5. The Apple Support Software
Once I had Windows XP SP2 installed, I inserted the Mac install CD under Windows and let it run automatically.
The Apple Support Software tools will be installed under Windows XP that allows you to setup networking, the display and other features to help you make Windows work properly in this environment.
Side Note: I ran the Apple Support install three times before it completely installed correctly. For some reason (I think it was during the audio drivers being installed), it created a blue screen of death two times before it finally installed everything from the Apple Support CD.
6. Run Windows Updates
At this point you’ll have a bunch of Windows Updates. Let them all install, as well as SP3 and IE 8 if you so desire. I had around 74 updates one time and had to reboot, and then another 59 updates before they all finished.
If Windows requires multiple reboots as you install the Windows Updates, remember to hold down the “Option” key during reboots so you can select which operating system to boot into.
7. The Boot Camp Windows Driver
The Boot Camp Windows Driver will allow you to set how you want the mouse pad on the Macbook Pro to behave in Windows XP. It will also let you restart the machine in Mac OS as well using the Taskbar icon it places in Windows XP. There are a few more setting you can set to your liking.
8. Install Windows Applications
At this point you’ve got a full-working dual boot Macbook Pro that runs both Mac OS X and Windows XP. Time to start installing the Windows applications you’ll need and any other tools you might need to run in Windows XP.
Reminder: During reboot, hold down the “Option” key to select which operating system you want to boot into.
9. A Word About Windows Security
I also install Microsoft’ Security Essentials on the Windows XP OS.
For Windows, I use the freely available and downloadable PDF called (big breath) – Windows XP Professional Operating system Legacy, Enterprise, and High Security Benchmark Consensus Baseline Security Settings – Whew!!
You can download it from the Center for Internet Security. You might have to fill out a small form in order to download the PDF.
At this point I’d also do a full backup of Windows XP. Backups come in handy when a drive fails and has to be replaced. All you have to do is a restore the Mac OS, create a partition with Boot Camp for Windows XP and restore that too.
10. You’re Good To Go!!
Burn a mental note into your brain on pressing and holding the Mac “Option” key right after you hear the Mac OS bootup sound and see the smoky-white screen. You’ll be presented with two images of hard drives, one for the Mac OS and one for Windows.
Wa-lla!! That’s it. Not so bad for a few bumps and bruises along the way. You’ve now got a Macbook Pro that boots into Windows XP or the Mac OS X operating system.
Let’s hear from you in the comments about your experience with dual boots or VMs.
I’d like to ask. Would the emulated Window XP be capable of running quickly? I mean to run on normal speed. I’ve encountered such slow reaction when i tried doing that on my mac
labels » It depends on your hardware – memory, disk space, etc.
Very comprehensive tutorial. This is actually a good idea if you bought a Mac and missed using Windows for some reason especially when you need to use some software and tools that won’t run on Mac.
Will this also work with vista? Ive been trying but cant get it to work. Thanks.
Cathie » Cathie, check this article out for How To Automatically Shutdown Your Windows Vista Computer.
My Mac has always been amazing but still, there are times when I’d prefer using Windows Office for my office documents. So I guess I’ll be needing it installed in my mac. I’m wondering if this could also work for Windows 7?
Extremely complete tutorial. This is actually a great thought if you purchased a Mac and missed utilizing Windows for some reason especially when you need to use some software program and tools that won’t run on Mac.
I’ve always wondered if this is possible. I sure got my answer all right. Enjoying the best of both worlds, with the best hardware available. Thanks for the steps. I’ll go try this out.
Very glad to know this information. really I didn’t know about virtual machine.
I wonder if it is possible to use the virtual machine with windows 7, and windows 8 is coming up as well
Very comprehensive tutorial. This is actually a good idea if you bought a Mac and missed using Windows for some reason especially when you need to use some software and tools that won’t run on Mac.
Is my files and everything else from my computer will be gone ? and is there a way for me to get windows 7 ?
Yes, well written instructions. Had thought of that when I look at a Macbook Pro to get you the right software solution Parallel Desktop to buy it. For the Windows stability and high susceptibility to pests for me to go so slowly unnecessary time and money on your nerves. Anyway I then just 3 or 4 major programs which are then fused into a save mode in Windows on the Mac.
Just got myself a MacBookPro (my first Mac!) to replace my good old laptop (under Win XP).
I never got the chance to try this yet as I always found a way to use softwares available on Mac to keep working (Tanks a lot Office for Mac!!!).
However, I’ll clearly bookmark your article as it might be useful should the case arise.
Well done, good written instruction and thank you for your posting
i tried to install mac alongwith xp on my dell laptop. but i was unable to do it. So then i installed ubuntu. although i will try it with this method.
thanks.
Well, you didn’t try installing Windows XP on a new Macbook Pro with Bootcamp 4.0!Good Luck getting this to happen. It only let’s you install Windows 7 Doh! I guess this is why Apple users get pissed off and return to the PC! I’d like to smack this new macbook pro off the end of a concrete block! Now, that’s gratifying!!!
Your first step is to make sure you have an Intel-based Mac: any G4 or G5 Mac will not install Boot Camp and you won’t be able to dual boot into Windows XP. You can still run an emulator like Microsoft Virtual PC, but it’s an inferior solution and my own experience with VPC has been that it’s glacial and useless for all but the most simplistic of Windows applications. You’ll also need to be able to burn a CD during the process: make sure you have a blank, burnable CD disk on hand.
Philippine Trivia » Good info, thanks Philippine.
ope you post more! An active blog is a happy blog. I’m planning to head to Delhi soon, so hope to have this as a resource.
I’ve been so hesitant to make the switch to a mac, but now that I can’t get XP anymore, it seems like VMWare is the only way to go these days…
i am using Macbook Pro and using dual boot method to use windows 7. But the thing is, i use Internet maximum and no photoshop and things that windows is necessary for.
I am unable to switch to windows at all 🙂 anyway but i heard that this dual boot wont work in 13inch macbook pro.. is that so ?
Robin.
sometimes we need variation to choose system operation for or laptop. In generally in my villlage most friendly with windows. But with mac i think its more challenge to lear about technology today
You are the life saver. Tried many tricks nut not succeeded. At last done by following your tutorial. Most of the tools supports in windows platform. Faced difficulties switching from mac to desktop PC by pausing the work. Really thanks for your great effort.
I’ve been using macs for nearly 25 years and still get blown away by both their longevity and the fact that everything works seamlessly. Why do I say that, because Parallels, a piece of enabling software, has been available for quite some time and as I think you’re probably trying to get across to your readers, simply blows most PCs out the water. I recall 7 years ago, a collegue using a Powerbook G4 1.25gHz with Tiger, Parallels and Windows XP Pro. We tested the speed of Windows on the Mac against a Pentium 4HT 2.8gHz and it was comparable…. The thing here is that it was running windows on top of an emulator, on top of the Mac’s OS. That to me is pure efficiency.
Richard@ Power Mac 7300 » Yes Richard, Macs are killer machines. I’m about ready to buy me a MacBook Air and get it all wigged out. I’m also eyeballing that 27″ Thunderbolt Display.
One thing I did recently was restore a MacBook Air for a friend of mine. Booted to a wireless network and restored it online from the Apple store. Took about 4 hours but how cool is that. Awesome.
I am executing the above steps properly and yet my Macbook pro is booting Windows XP as well but when I switch Admin accounts, it automatically restarts? Is any one else facing the same issue. Please help!
Good guide, clear and concise. The only thing that confuses me is that you say you bought your MacBook Pro in January 2011 (I’m assuming from the Apple store), and to my knowledge the 2011+ Macintosh computers can only run Windows 7 (the Apple website says that they no longer provide drivers for 2011+ model Macs). Could you elaborate please?
Thanks,
fatcat749
P.S. If it is the 2011 model, is there any way you could email me the drivers? Thank you.
I have dual OS running on my Macbook Pro but I’m running into issues with designating displays. It’s plugged into a 23″ Mac display but I can’t choose the 23″ as my primary on either the Windows or iOS. Any suggestions?
Hi Lindsay. So when you boot Windows does it just come up to the Macbook Pro screen and not the 23″?
That’s exactly what’s happening, Bill. Thanks for replying so quickly. It doesn’t identify the 23″ at all.
I am wondering if the USB ports will work if dual booting using XP? I need to use programs that are from that era. and have no revisions to run on newer versions of windows. Now running an old PC or laptop is getting frustrating. Can this work or no?
“fatcat 749” and “more garbage” brought up that the newer Macs do not support windows xp and that’s the problem I also have encountered. I was able to get xp on my bootcamp partition and it works except the windows support software will not load and so I cannot go online, etc with the xp. Would it work if I had a cd of the older version of Mac’s windows support software and, if so, where could I get one?