How to run Windows 7 Pro 64-bit on a brand-new 2015 Macbook Air?

[JohnDohe]

Anyone know if its possible to run Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
into a brand-new 2015 Macbook Air?

If yes, whats the procedure to load Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
into a 2015 Macbook Air?

Thanks!

 

[Significant1]

Officially only Windows 8.1 is supported on 2015 Macbook Air in Bootcamp:
http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

A virtual machine is another option. It does require more memory though, than bootcamp, since you are running two operating system simultaneously.

I hope you have more than 128GB storage, else you will not have much room for anything.

 

[ron7624]

It can only be done using Parallels or a similar virtual machine.
Good luck - @Significant1 alreafdy pointed out the pitfalls.

 

[davidcie]

If you're still interested, this should now be possible even if fiddly; check out my thread here.

 

[gertruded]

If you're still interested, this should now be possible even if fiddly; check out my thread here.

Very, very nice. Great job. Thank you.

 

[tubeexperience]

Windows 7 is an ancient version of Windows and isn't supported.

Since Windows 10 (which is supported) is a free upgrade from Windows 7, all you need to do is install Windows 10 using Boot Camp and use your Windows 7 product key to activate Windows 10.

 

[MultiFinder17]

Windows 7 is an ancient version of Windows and isn't supported.

Since Windows 10 (which is supported) is a free upgrade from Windows 7, all you need to do is install Windows 10 using Boot Camp and use your Windows 7 product key to activate Windows 10.

Some people either have software that won't run under newer versions of Windows, or their work IT departments haven't moved up to newer versions. It's not an option for everyone.

Also, Windows 7 is still going to get security updates through 2020

 

[theluggage]

Windows 7 is an ancient version of Windows and isn't supported.

...and unless you've been living under a rock for the last few years, even many die-hard Windows fans would rather shave their own heads with a cheese grater than upgrade to the dumbed-down UI of Win 8 or the "All of your data are belong to Microsoft unless you re-disable telemetry after every update" world of Win 10.

Virtualization is the way to go unless you need to wring every last drop of performance out of Windows.

 

[tubeexperience]

Some people either have software that won't run under newer versions of Windows, or their work IT departments haven't moved up to newer versions. It's not an option for everyone.

That is a legitimate concern.

Also, Windows 7 is still going to get security updates through 2020

It's not supported by Apple on said system.

Also, many new security features have been subsequently introduced after Windows 7 and is NOT available on Windows 7.

Consequently, Windows 10 is a much safer OS than Windows 7.

...and unless you've been living under a rock for the last few years, even many die-hard Windows fans would rather shave their own heads with a cheese grater than upgrade to the dumbed-down UI of Win 8 or the "All of your data are belong to Microsoft unless you re-disable telemetry after every update" world of Win 10.

Virtualization is the way to go unless you need to wring every last drop of performance out of Windows.

Remove you tinfoil hat.

Sure, Windows 10 does collect more information than does Windows 7, but that's because it has built-in apps like Maps, Cortana, etc.

 

[snow755]

If. You wanted Windows then Why not get a window laptop?

 

[MultiFinder17]

If. You wanted Windows then Why not get a window laptop?

Perhaps they wanted a Mac with the ability to run the occasional Windows application?

 

[pika2000]

What's wrong in trying bootcamp? I have not tried it specifically with Windows 7, but will the Apple bootcamp simply refuse to load Windows 7? I thought Bootcamp is just an intermediary process (creating the boot partition, etc), the rest will be just a normal Windows installation, so I don't know why Windows 7 wouldn't work.