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(Bootcamp) Can I download the Windows software through Windows?

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Original poster
Nov 5, 2009
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I didn't have a USB drive to download the software to, and don't have my OSX discs with me. When Windows 7 is finished installing is there a way to download software and install it? Does it have to be burned to a disc/drive or can I mount a disc image?

Thanks!

P.S. I would have posted this in the Windows section but it's a ghost town.
 
Last edited:
ozreth said:
I didn't have a USB drive to download the software to, and don't have my OSX discs with me. When Windows 7 is finished installing is there a way to download software and install it? Does it have to be burned to a disc/drive or can I mount a disc image?

Thanks!

P.S. I would have posted this in the Windows section but it's a ghost town.
Click to expand...

Verify you have a computer in the supported list and download this file. You may need an older file for your Mac if not on that list.

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1720
 
Altemose said:
Verify you have a computer in the supported list and download this file. You may need an older file for your Mac if not on that list.

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1720
Click to expand...

Ah, but in the directions it says to copy the contents to a USB drive :/

Can I skip that step and just unzip and run the file? I've got Windows 7 up and running now but of course everything is big and ugly and no drivers are installed yet.

And it's a mid 2010 13" MBP.
 
ozreth said:
I didn't have a USB drive to download the software to, and don't have my OSX discs with me. When Windows 7 is finished installing is there a way to download software and install it?
Click to expand...

Probably not if you don't have drivers for your network adapters. 2 GB thumb drives are free in specially marked boxes of cereal. Just go to your local Walmart or wherever and buy one.

Does it have to be burned to a disc/drive or can I mount a disc image?
Click to expand...

The download is a .zip file so it can be extracted in Windows without having to install any additional software.
 
Altemose said:
If you can get it on your Mac somehow if the network adapter works then you shouldn't need a disk. I think my cMBP has native network support, but no clue on the newer models.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. I downloaded the file and just ran the setup and it says "This version of Bootcamp is not intended for this computer model."

Looks like I need older software. Gonna give that a go.
 
Altemose said:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1630

There you go.
Click to expand...

Success! Thank you.

While I'm here, am I using x64 Boot Camp? If my OSX is totally up to date does it update my Boot camp from 32 to 64? Does it matter? Can my computer use x64 Boot camp?

And will this Nvidia driver that its installing right now be the newest one? Im mostly doing this for a game.

Sorry for all these questions! BC seems a little more confusing than it was when it first came out.
 
ozreth said:
Success! Thank you.

While I'm here, am I using x64 Boot Camp? If my OSX is totally up to date does it update my Boot camp from 32 to 64? Does it matter? Can my computer use x64 Boot camp?

And will this Nvidia driver that its installing right now be the newest one? Im mostly doing this for a game.

Sorry for all these questions! BC seems a little more confusing than it was when it first came out.
Click to expand...

From what I see in the Boot Camp software chart, it is the same software for both 64 and 32 bit copies of Windows.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5634

That is the chart at the bottom that will show you what is the latest version appropriate for your version of Windows and computer. Using Apple Software Update in Windows will update Boot Camp to the latest appropriate versions.
 
Altemose said:
From what I see in the Boot Camp software chart, it is the same software for both 64 and 32 bit copies of Windows.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5634

That is the chart at the bottom that will show you what is the latest version appropriate for your version of Windows and computer. Using Apple Software Update in Windows will update Boot Camp to the latest appropriate versions.
Click to expand...

Ok, so basically when Windows updates Bootcamp via the Apple Software Update It will also install the latest graphics driver for my GPU?

That's the only thing I can't seem to get answered through that Boot Camp page. Thanks for all the help.
 
ozreth said:
Ok, so basically when Windows updates Bootcamp via the Apple Software Update It will also install the latest graphics driver for my GPU?
Click to expand...

You would need to get those directly from NVIDIA. Go to the download/support section of their website, and use the menu to navigate to your GPU and version of Windows. It will then direct you to the correct download page.
 
ozreth said:
Ok, so basically when Windows updates Bootcamp via the Apple Software Update It will also install the latest graphics driver for my GPU?

That's the only thing I can't seem to get answered through that Boot Camp page. Thanks for all the help.
Click to expand...

Yes. Boot Camp support should install a graphics driver which is later updated by Apple Software Update when appropriate.

saturnotaku said:
You would need to get those directly from NVIDIA. Go to the download/support section of their website, and use the menu to navigate to your GPU and version of Windows. It will then direct you to the correct download page.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. Boot Camp should install and update all appropriate drivers. Some people choose to use other drivers, but Boot Camp will install a driver for the card.
 
Altemose said:
Boot Camp should install and update all appropriate drivers. Some people choose to use other drivers, but Boot Camp will install a driver for the card.
Click to expand...

The OP specifically asked for the latest driver. The ones provided in the Windows support software can be months, if not years, out of date. The only way to be certain you're truly up-to-date is to download directly from the GPU manufacturer.

All the other drivers supplied by Apple should be sufficient for reliable operation of the system in Windows.
 
saturnotaku said:
The OP specifically asked for the latest driver. The ones provided in the Windows support software can be months, if not years, out of date. The only way to be certain you're truly up-to-date is to download directly from the GPU manufacturer.

All the other drivers supplied by Apple should be sufficient for reliable operation of the system in Windows.
Click to expand...

One must first ensure that they can upgrade to the new driver or if they must remove the old one first. Just a reminder.
 
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