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Is there any way to install Windows 10 on unsupported Mac (iMac mid 2011) without resort to various tricks with virtual machines?

klanomath
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Nikita Dvornikov
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  • Please ask only one question per question. To purchase Windows 10 go to Home or Pro. You may change to another MS store here. – klanomath Jan 03 '16 at 15:51
  • If it's unsupported you might have problems with drivers so why not just run it in a virtual machine as a totally file based VM, not VM tricks to get it physically installed or instead of using Boot Camp. – user3439894 Jan 03 '16 at 16:10
  • +1 I have an "old" MacBookPro 17" mid 2010 running a clean install of Windows 10 Pro 64bit running perfectly well in Bootcamp with all drivers running. Steps in next comment. – therobyouknow Jul 10 '16 at 21:19
  • I took much encouragement from the accepted answer below. But be aware I originally had windows 7 Pro 64bit and used the official in-place upgrade to 10 by Microsoft. Then I used Microsoft's media creator tool to create a WIndows 10 64bit installer ISO image which I burnt to DVD. I backed up my bootcamp partition with DriveImgXML and WinClone, used Bootcamp assistant in mac os to get latest drivers onto usb then booted into the install DVD I burnt. So all good! – therobyouknow Jul 10 '16 at 21:23
  • The backup of the upgraded 10 partition was a sensible precaution because I had no idea that the clean install was going to work so needed to be able to revert the partition to my backed up image. Be sure to deacticate and uninstall any apps that will need to be installed and activated. It's important to deactivate before the clean install as there may be a license seat limit on some apps, e.g. Adobe. so if not deactivated then the seat is lost but this can be remedied by contacting Adobe chat (I know this for a fact as I have had to do this) – therobyouknow Jul 10 '16 at 21:31
  • Also, when starting the Windows 10 installer to do the clean install from the DVD, when asked for the license key, you can just click "I don't have one/Skip", this is because Microsoft work out your eligibility from your current Windows 10 installation (from the upgrade from a previous OS). This is why you must use the in-place upgrade to Windows 10 first. Time is running out for this I believe, the free offer has been available for nearly a year I think and ends sometime later this month I understand (July 2016) – therobyouknow Jul 10 '16 at 21:37
  • All the ideea with ths bootcamp, is to play with Info.plist file in /Applications/Utilities/Boot\ Camp\ Assistant.app/Contents Add your mac model to PreWindows10OnlyModels group, and remove it from SupporedNonWin10Models group. Also change PreUSBBootSupportedModels to USBBootSupportedModels this will allow to create a USB using a ISO. This worked for me. – iamandrewluca Jan 24 '17 at 00:38
  • @Andrew Luca May I ask how you managed to edit the Info.plist, thank you. – 高科技黑手 Jan 31 '18 at 08:45
  • Copy it to desktop, edit, then copy it back overwriting old one. – iamandrewluca Jan 31 '18 at 09:25
  • I remember there was a question with accepted answer that suggested installing on a virtual machine and then moving it to mac, but I can't find it anymore, you have mentioned this in your question, can you give me a link please? – Shayan Oct 24 '19 at 12:05

3 Answers3

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A different user recently posted a similar question on superuser. Since my answer was accepted as correct, I will repost it below.

The Basic steps to install 64 bit Windows 10 are as follows. I assume here that your current configuration is the default "Out of the Box" OS X installation.

  1. Download the correct Boot Camp Support Software for your Mac. Transfer these files to a FAT formatted flash drive. For your Mac, use the same software as for a 64 bit Windows 7 installation. These files can be found at Boot Camp Support Software 5.1.5621
  2. Use the Disk Utility to reduce the size of your OS X partition. In the empty space, create a FAT formatted partition with the label BOOTCAMP.
  3. Burn the Windows 10 iso file to a DVD. You can use the Disk Utility to do this. I always use a RW DVD. This takes longer to burn, but is reusable.
  4. Restart the Mac with the DVD in the optical drive. Hold down the alt/option key and select the DVD icon with the label Windows.
  5. Install Windows to the Boot Camp partition. You will have to tell the installer to reformat this partition as NTFS. DO NOT CHANGE THE PARTITIONING DURING THE INSTALLATION PROCESS.
  6. At some point during the installation, the computer will reboot. When it does, it will boot to OS X. This is to be expected. Go to System Preferences and instruct OS X to boot back to Windows. The installation process will continue.
  7. After the Windows installation has completed, install the Boot Camp Support software stored on the flash drive. To accomplish this, you will have to right click on the icon and select Compatibility Mode.

I do not consider the process to be that difficult. The most challenging step is creating the FAT formatted partition labeled BOOTCAMP. If something goes wrong, you are in danger of loosing data on your OS X partition.

Community
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David Anderson
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  • Thanks! That worked. But Apple Keyboard stopped working after I installed BootCamp drivers. Tried to reinstall the drivers or pick them manually but it had no effect. Do you have some information regarding that issue? – Nikita Dvornikov Jan 04 '16 at 23:47
  • Is the keyboard wireless? I believe my 2011 iMac has a wireless keyboard. I have always used an old wired keyboard. I suppose I could find some batteries and see if it works with Windows 10. I imagine the keyboard has to be paired with the iMac. – David Anderson Jan 05 '16 at 00:07
  • Yeah, Apple bluetooth keyboard. It worked until I installed bootcamp. It has to be some problem with driver. I googled a lot, but different people go with different solutions. Some delete USB3 driver in recovery mode, some just update keyboard driver manually. I tried several and had no success. – Nikita Dvornikov Jan 06 '16 at 09:10
  • With this method, do you still just hold option on startup to select OSX or Bootcamp? – Staysee Apr 01 '16 at 22:25
  • @Staysee: You can use the option key on startup. Also, from OS X, you can select the default operating system using System Preferences. From Windows, you can select the default from the Control Panel or from the System Icon Tray. – David Anderson Apr 02 '16 at 01:39
  • +1 for this answer. As said in my comments below question. I have Windows 10 Pro 64bit running really nicely in bootcamp on an "old" 2010 17" macbook pro. I originally had windows 7 Pro 64bit and used the official in-place upgrade to 10 by Microsoft. Then I used Microsoft's media creator tool to create a WIndows 10 64bit installer ISO image which I burnt to DVD. I backed up my bootcamp partition with DriveImgXML and WinClone, used Bootcamp assistant in mac os to get latest drivers onto usb then booted into the install DVD I burnt. So all good! – therobyouknow Jul 10 '16 at 21:24
  • So the key thing is to take advantage of the free official in-place upgrade (from Win7, 8, 8.1) to Windows 10 offered by microsoft. In order to do a clean install of Windows 10, by booting into the install disk, you have to have Windows 10 already on the machine (by the aforementioned upgrade). Once running the installer, you have the choice to (quick) format the (bootcamp) partition for the new install to go on top of, thus not using any previous files. So it is important that you backup any valuable files, deactivate and install any apps that will need activating/re-installing afterwards. – therobyouknow Jul 10 '16 at 21:27
  • This bootcamp version was wrong for me (mbp 13" mid 2010). Go to https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204048 to find the right version for you. Start at Win10 and keep downgrading your selection until you find your model. Then install in Compatibility Mode. Everything is awesome now. – Habbie Nov 07 '16 at 19:06
  • All the ideea with ths bootcamp, is to play with Info.plist file in /Applications/Utilities/Boot\ Camp\ Assistant.app/Contents Add your mac model to PreWindows10OnlyModels group, and remove it from SupporedNonWin10Models group. Also change PreUSBBootSupportedModels to USBBootSupportedModels this will allow to create a USB using a ISO. This worked for me. – iamandrewluca Jan 24 '17 at 00:39
  • For the BootCamp USB stick, does it have to be FAT? Or will FAT32 work? What about NTFS? Why does it matter? – Shayan Oct 28 '19 at 09:48
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    @Shayan: An USB stick has be formatted with a file system that can be recognized by both Windows 10 and the Mac's firmware. FAT can mean FAT32. Also, it can mean FAT12 or FAT16. NTFS is not recognized by any model Mac's firmware. The firmware on newer Macs (and older Macs with the proper upgrade) can recognize FAT32 and ExFAT. Windows 10 can at least recognize FAT (including FAT32) and ExFAT. Often, Windows 10 ISOs contain one or more files that are to large to be copied FAT32 formatted volumes. This is not a problem when a volume is ExFAT formatted. – David Anderson Oct 28 '19 at 10:11
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I was prepared to follow the instructions above, but noticed Boot Camp clearly said "Install Windows 7 or later version". So I tried it and everything worked perfectly.

I installed Windows 10.1 on a mid 2011 iMac running El Capitan, using Boot Camp. The only setback was having to burn the Windows ISO to a DVD because it wouldn't let me install from a USB.

I wonder if they updated Boot Camp Assistant since this question was asked.

Staysee
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  • i read the official apple website seems like it doesn't allow usb3 to install the Windows 10 but allow usb2 – Turbot Apr 02 '17 at 13:36
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I have an 27' Imac 2011, which according to Apple is not supported for Windows 10 install.

I just walked through the steps of Bootcamp 6.0.1, downloaded the Bootcamp support files, created the Windows partition in Bootcamp, inserted a DVD of the W10 x64 ISO that I downloaded from MS and followed the procedures.

The only problem I encountered (eventhough I was prepared for more..) was that I had to get a USB wired keyboard and mouse during the installation steps. However the install as such went smooth and when finalized the Bootcamp support drivers loaded nicely. I had to pair my Apple keyboard with the system. After that everything including sound, Bluetooth, graphics and what not worked like a charm.

Since after build 1511 of W10 you don't have to upgrade from 7 or 8.1 to get a free upgrade, you can do a clean install instead and register with a valid 7, 8 or 8.1 license key, for me that worked great.

So when Apple states that my Imac 2011 is not supported for W10, I guess it's currently more of a statement than a fact. I guess they mean that they don't put any further additional efforts into keeping it compatible onwards whenever MS decides to change W10 system logic.

However since W10 is really a polished W8.1, with basically the same "under the hood" logic, any Apple Bootcamp supported Mac up to W8.1 Mac's (like my Imac 2011) is perhaps likely to support also W10, even if Apple doesen't want to state that.

Kent
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  • That makes sense. Everything works fine except for bluetooth keyboard :( Had to buy USB keyboard. – Nikita Dvornikov Jun 24 '16 at 09:01
  • I tried to do the same thing on my MacBook 2011. I installed Windows 8.1 on it and upgraded it to Windows 10. However, nothing worked accordingly. I had issues with the multiple displays option and the sound drive. So I downgraded to Windows 8.1. – Amir H. Bagheri Jul 13 '18 at 00:41