Can/should i consider a windows installation without the use of bootcamp?

[BGM]

Hi,

Sorry, bit new to this.. i have done some searching, but coming up short with the specific question.

I have read that using bootcamp to achieve dual-boot results in a "munge" of MBR/GPT, and therefore is less than desirable.. was this the case with previous versions of Windows, or is this still true with Windows 10 and the latest bootcamp tooling installations or does it all use GPT now?

Additionally, i have read on my travels that bootcamp installations can potentially be a bit tricky to maintain.. therefore is a "manual" installation less so, i.e. is the maintenance cost paid up front instead?

I can elaborate more, please should if my questions lead to further questions 😀

In short, the queries are:

1. Is it possible to dual-boot without the use of bootcamp?
2. Is it advisable considering what i have read about MBR/GPT mashup?
3. Is there a maintenance concern at all I.e. with major OS upgrades?

 

[Erehy Dobon]

It's impossible to give any advice since you neglected to mention the most important thing that dictates your decision: your specific usage case for Windows.

This is like asking "What car should I buy?" without stating any needs.

I run a Windows 10 virtual machine instance with VirtualBox on my Mojave Mac mini for only two specific applications: Quicken (Windows version) and Excel (Windows version) because the Mac versions are retarded. If I need a retarded spreadsheet, I can use Numbers but for somethings I cannot.

Windows system administration on VirtualBox has been blissfully uneventful. Backing up the virtual machine is easier than backing up my Mac. I just copy the VM files to another drive. Done.

I personally do not need peak performance and a Bootcamp installation would likely just increase my system administration load without giving me any useful benefit in return. The paid VM tools like Parallels are like flushing $20 bills down the toilet for me.

Would VirtualBox work for you? I have no idea.

A computer is a tool. Need to pound some nails? Don't pick up a skilsaw.

An operating system is a big complicated program that lets multiple big complicated programs co-exist peacefully on the same system. Since you didn't bother to mention what big complicated progams you plan to run, there is nothing anyone here can advise.

 

[BGM]

@Erehy Dobon thanks for the reply - i have updated the original post to be a bit clearer, as i understand from your reply that you misinterpreted my post as attempting to decide to run a VM or not. Apologies i didn't consider that my use-case was pertinent for wanting to understand the inner workings of the MBR/GPT..

To answer your first query directly, my use-case is essentially "..backup in case i need to run some Windows only application due to recently migrating away from Windows for the first time ever... i do development, and data engineering, so i would like to use the hardware non-virtualised if possible.."

So yeah, I want to install windows in a dual-boot scenario really, i am pretty sure i know i want to do this, this is more of a question about the best "method" to achieve that - unless someone talks me out of it? 🙂

One additional thing that i need to ensure works, is that Parallels can use the installation on the "bare metal" too, that is possible right? You can just point parallels at another partition?

Anyway.. are any of my concerns valid?

Edit: I have done some more reading since posting this, and as my mac is pretty new, and the installation is APFS already using the GPT.. i am "assuming" that any conversations about MBR are pretty much void, as the machine is already set up for UEFI boot, ye? Surely...

Thanks in advance! 😀

 

[Phil77354]

I have used bootcamp in the past, have Parallels currently installed. Both are workable but personally I prefer using Parallels. It seems to me to be the more straightforward way to use Windows on a Mac.

 

[GoKyu]

About 5 years ago, I ran Windows 10 as the only OS on my Mac Mini, just to have a "dedicated" Windows box. But eventually I realized that having a VM would do just fine, for as little as I use Windows.

Two years ago, I got a deal on a rackmount Dell server with a ton of RAM, so I installed ESXi as a bare metal hypervisor, and set up a bunch of VMs to get myself back into Linux, as well as to start learning about Windows Server for work.

Everything in a browser window on my Mac, and 99% of the CPU usage for it is coming from the Dell, not my Mac.

 

[BGM]

Hmm, this thread has veered off a little about virtualisation, could i possible be posting on a site with the wrong audience? not sure..

I was looking for more of a technical breakdown of the resultant "boot sector" (is it still called that these days?) after boot camping windows 10.

For anyone that stumbles across this thread in the future wondering about what bootcamp does to partition tables, i raised a similar question on stack exchange => https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/392227/ 🙂

 

[GoKyu]

Not sure about the MBR/GPT issue, but it's probably a good idea to dual boot, even if you only make the Mac partition very minimal. The reason is because you need those Apple-provided Windows drivers to run the Mac hardware. Installing Windows by itself can be tricky and you may find that some hardware won't work at all, or may only work in a limited capacity.

I remember my Bluetooth didn't work without the Apple drivers. I didn't really use BT at the time, so it wasn't a big deal, but if your NIC decides to not work, you're in trouble.