Help Needed: How Hard to Install Windows 10 On A Mac Mini?

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Hey guys,

I know MacRumors is a busy community with so many Mac experts so I'm sorry to be making a thread on installing Windows 10. I searched the MacRumors for answers on this, but I couldn't find any recent topics.

I want to install Windows 10 on my only Mac. My Mac is a Mac Mini mid2011. To make it easier, this is my Mac Mini here: https://support.apple.com/kb/SP632?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

This is a really delicate problem so any advice would be received by me with heartfelt appreciation. ?

 

[Alexander_TechBuddy]

Hello! There is no official way to single-boot Windows on a Mac, however you can dual-boot Windows and MacOs by using the BootCamp assistant. To do this you:
1. Open the launchpad->other->Boot Camp Utility
(You can also open it using the Finder by going in to applications->other->Boot Camp Utility)
2. Follow the instructions that are presented on the screen. Note that you need to have a legitimate copy of Windows 10 to install it via BootCamp.
If you need any further assistance with this, do not hesitate to ask!
Regards,
Alexander @ TechBuddy Sweden

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Thank you for your reply Alexander!

Is there a guide I can read to install Windows 10? Do I need to install any other software/firmware from Apple before I install Windows 10 like these???:

About EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Mac computers – Apple Support (AU)

This article lists firmware updates available as standalone installers for Intel-based Mac computers.

support.apple.com

Mac EFI Security Update 2015-001 – Apple Support (AU)

Improves security of Mac systems by addressing an issue where EFI could potentially be overwritten without authorization.

support.apple.com

Mac mini EFI Firmware Update 1.6

I'll definitely be using a legitimate copy of Windows 10. I use legitimate software for every App I use.

EDIT:
Be great for me to hear advice of others who have installed Windows 10 on a Mac before.

 

[Madonepro]

Thank you for your reply Alexander!

Is there a guide I can read to install Windows 10? Do I need to install any other software/firmware from Apple before I install Windows 10 like these???:

About EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Mac computers – Apple Support (AU)

This article lists firmware updates available as standalone installers for Intel-based Mac computers.

support.apple.com

Mac EFI Security Update 2015-001 – Apple Support (AU)

Improves security of Mac systems by addressing an issue where EFI could potentially be overwritten without authorization.

support.apple.com

Mac mini EFI Firmware Update 1.6

I'll definitely be using a legitimate copy of Windows 10. I use legitimate software for every App I use.

EDIT:
Be great for me to hear advice of others who have installed Windows 10 on a Mac before.

1. Make sure you have a copy of windows 10 as an image file
2. Have a USB drive/stick
and then follow Apples instructions on how to Install Windows 10 on your Mac

P.S. Always check the Apple support pages, there is so many resources there that most questions are already answered in a structured how to format.

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

1. Make sure you have a copy of windows 10 as an image file
2. Have a USB drive/stick
and then follow Apples instructions on how to Install Windows 10 on your Mac

P.S. Always check the Apple support pages, there is so many resources there that most questions are already answered in a structured how to format.

Thank you for your reply Madonepro!

I'm reading your link now and checking the other official documents from Apple.

I've been doing a lot of reading about security and this is my question:
Is there any kind of security problems I need to be aware of by installing Windows 10 on a Mac Mini mid2011? I've been reading this page and I just wanted to know if I need to install extra software/firmware before I install Windows 10 on my Mac Mini mid2011?
Link: https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/security/secf020d1074/1/web/1

 

[Marcopolo53]

Caution, if to check carefully in previous persons link, you will discover a MacMini 2011, does not support installing Windows 10 via Bootcamp. A 2011 MacMini via Bootcamp only supports Windows 7.

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Caution, if to check carefully in previous persons link, you will discover a MacMini 2011, does not support installing Windows 10 via Bootcamp. A 2011 MacMini via Bootcamp only supports Windows 7.

Thank you for your reply MarcoPolo!

Does anyone have experience installing Windows 10 on a Mac Mini mid2011?

I don't want to do this, but is it possible for me to only have Windows 10 running and not MacOS High Sierra on my Mac Mini mid2011? What would I need to do to achieve this?

 

[Marcopolo53]

I have had the same thought on the same year / model Mac mini. I have a full Windows 7 Pro install DVD but hesitate to move forwards. Would be too tempting to try the upgrade method but very unsure it would work.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Thank you for your reply MarcoPolo!

Does anyone have experience installing Windows 10 on a Mac Mini mid2011?

I don't want to do this, but is it possible for me to only have Windows 10 running and not MacOS High Sierra on my Mac Mini mid2011? What would I need to do to achieve this?

You make the Windows partition via Boot Camp while running High Sierra, and once it's set up, boot to recovery mode and wipe the High Sierra partition.
--

How to install Windows 10 into a 2011 iMac without using the Boot Camp Assistant, an optical (DVD) drive or third party tools?

Note the following regarding user TAbdiukov's question which has a links to this question. This question is about installing Windows 10 on 2011 iMac to achieve a macOS High Sierra / Windows 10 dua...

apple.stackexchange.com

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Caution, if to check carefully in previous persons link, you will discover a MacMini 2011, does not support installing Windows 10 via Bootcamp. A 2011 MacMini via Bootcamp only supports Windows 7.

Wow, really?

That seems strange since Windows 10 is much newer than Windows 7...???

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Yes, but a 2011 Mini isn't a spring chicken. Good thing I posted a thorough guide on how to install Windows 10 to your mini!

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Yes, but a 2011 Mini isn't a spring chicken. Good thing I posted a thorough guide on how to install Windows 10 to your mini!

Thank you so much Mr Brightside!

I'm reading your guide now and I'm learning some new things.

It seems like the first step for me should be to install High Sierra first and then install Windows 10 afterwards?

Would there be any hardware incompatibility with me installing Windows 10 on a Mac Mini mid2011?

 

[4sallypat]

2011 is too old for 10 - Windows 8.1 64 bit is the maximum.

Get a newer Mac - I just installed Windows 10 Pro 64 bit on my 2013 Macbook Pro - it's for sale here:
2013 Macbook Pro Retina w/ Windows 10 Pro

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

2011 is too old for 10 - Windows 8.1 64 bit is the maximum.
View attachment 952024

Get a newer Mac - I just installed Windows 10 Pro 64 bit on my 2013 Macbook Pro - it's for sale here:
2013 Macbook Pro Retina w/ Windows 10 Pro

What do you mean???

I'm looking at the minimum requirements for Windows 10 and the Mac Mini mid2011 is more than powerful enough: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/windows-10-specifications

CPU: 1Ghz
RAM: 1GB
HDD Space: 32GB for 64bit Windows 10 OS

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

You are going to have to just try it, because it's not officially supported by Boot Camp. Yes, you'll need High Sierra from what I understood from that guide.

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Thanks for your reply Mr Brightside!

It seems unbelievable to me that the Mac Mini mid2011 can't support Windows 10 when it's got an Intel i5 2.3Ghz CPU and 8GB of RAM...?

Surely this isn't true?

 

[MichaelLAX]

[Repeat from the other thread]:

[Let's move this discussion over to the other thread, which I will have to read completely.]

But some initial questions:

1) What will you use Windows 10 for?

2) Have you considered using Windows 10 inside Parallels, which gives you the additional feature of having OSX (presumably High Sierra, like me) running alongside Windows 10)?

I don't use Windows that often and when I do, somewhat funny, but I still get along with my Windows XP working in Parallels.

But I was thinking about getting Windows 10 for Parallels just for giggles until I saw the $130 price. That having been said one article said something about buying a used copy from Newegg for about $30. I'll have to research that.

[I'll be looking for your reply on the other thread!]

 

[MichaelLAX]

I have not read this article yet, nor read this full thread yet, but I came across this article on how to install Windows 10 in Bootcamp:

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Thanks for your reply Mr Brightside!

It seems unbelievable to me that the Mac Mini mid2011 can't support Windows 10 when it's got an Intel i5 2.3Ghz CPU and 8GB of RAM...?

Surely this isn't true?

It's an Apple limitation on Boot Camp support, not a hardware limitation. You'll have to use the posted workaround.

 

[MichaelLAX]

It's an Apple limitation on Boot Camp support, not a hardware limitation. You'll have to use the posted workaround.

Have you attempted the modified Bootcamp method listed in my linked article?

After modification, it seems to be much more straight forward that your method, especially if we are working with Windows10 on optical disc.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Have you attempted the modified Bootcamp method listed in my linked article?

After modification, it seems to be much more straight forward that your method, especially if we are working with Windows10 on optical disc.

No, I’m not OP.
[automerge]1599857090[/automerge]

I have not read this article yet, nor read this full thread yet, but I came across this article on how to install Windows 10 in Bootcamp:

This owns

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

[Repeat from the other thread]:

[Let's move this discussion over to the other thread, which I will have to read completely.]

But some initial questions:

1) What will you use Windows 10 for?

2) Have you considered using Windows 10 inside Parallels, which gives you the additional feature of having OSX (presumably High Sierra, like me) running alongside Windows 10)?

I don't use Windows that often and when I do, somewhat funny, but I still get along with my Windows XP working in Parallels.

But I was thinking about getting Windows 10 for Parallels just for giggles until I saw the $130 price. That having been said one article said something about buying a used copy from Newegg for about $30. I'll have to research that.

[I'll be looking for your reply on the other thread!]

Thank you for your reply MichaelLax.

Just so it's clear: I'd MUCH rather be running some version of MacOSX and not Windows 10 on this Mac Mini mid2011 as this is the only Mac I have access to and I REALLY miss using MacOSX as I've only got access to computers running Windows 10 ? ? ?

The only reason I'm researching into running Windows 10 on this Mac Mini mid2011 is because Apple will stop supporting MacOSX High Sierra with security updates very soon and security is VERY important to me.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

I'm not trying to rock the boat here, but I feel I have a good handle on your situation, and desire for security, based on reading your posts.

Given that there is not and will not be an official statement from Apple about the end of support for High Sierra (I'm not really clear on if your 2011 is up and running with High Sierra at the moment, but let's say it is) and that they will simply cease to offer security updates for it, have you considered the fact that whatever security update you're already running on the mini is already its last - that there will not be any more security updates?

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

I'm not trying to rock the boat here, but I feel I have a good handle on your situation, and desire for security, based on reading your posts.

Given that there is not and will not be an official statement from Apple about the end of support for High Sierra (I'm not really clear on if your 2011 is up and running with High Sierra at the moment, but let's say it is) and that they will simply cease to offer security updates for it, have you considered the fact that whatever security update you're already running on the mini is already its last - that there will not be any more security updates?

Thank you for your reply again Mr Brightside!

It's not right running right now, but I want to get the Mac Mini mid2011 running ASAP just so I can use MacOSX High Sierra for a while as I really do miss using MacOSX...

This is my only Mac... I'd buy a new Mac Mini 2020, but I honestly wouldn't get any extra benefit using a Mac Mini 2020 compared to use my current Mac Mini mid2011 so it's a lot of money to spend just so I can do basic tasks on MacOSX... ? ? ?

Do you know what I mean?

 

[Boyd01]

Moderator Note: There is already a very long thread about the OP's security concerns with High Sierra

Advice Please: What To Do With Mac Mini mid2011???

Hey guys, Sorry to be making a new thread, but I know MacRumors is the community which has the most experts on Macs on the internet. I searched the forums and I couldn't find a previous thread related to my severe problem. My biggest fear has come true: Apple will stop giving security updates...

forums.macrumors.com

Please, let's keep this thread on topic and limit the discussion to Windows installation. It's a violation of the MacRumors rules to start multiple threads on the same topic.