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What’s needed to install Windows on a new MBP?

I

Imola Ghost

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 21, 2009
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I’m getting a new MBP on Monday and unfortunately need to have access to Windows for my business the requires Windows to install.

i know you can dual boot or either use a virtual machine.

I’m thinking virtual but do I need a windows install disk or I guess I can download it from Microsoft and install via a USB like we can MacOS? Is there a difference between which version I get? Any by that I mean I remember windows used to have full versions and upgrade versions.

Which virtual machine works the best?
 
Another option is Virtual Box. Also free, not as polished as VMware or Parallels, but gets the job done. Been using it for a number of years now, as only need Windows once or twice a year.

Had used Fusion in the past, but got tired of the pseudo subscription model they have (had?). Might need to give Fusion Player a whirl.
 
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Given the fact I don’t need Windows a whole lot, I’m probably just going to dual boot through boot camp.
 
Imola Ghost said:
Given the fact I don’t need Windows a whole lot, I’m probably just going to dual boot through boot camp.
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that dual boot is like having two computers, with the added disadvantage that you have to switch one off to be able to use the other one.
Whereas, the Virtualisation option is like having one computer that can run both operating systems at the same time in a seamless manner, whereby apps from one OS can talk to apps from the other OS, Same clipboard, same file system, etc... (unless you specifically decide to have them isolated).
 
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Imola Ghost said:
Given the fact I don’t need Windows a whole lot, I’m probably just going to dual boot through boot camp.
Click to expand...

If you are going that way, you might consider a cheap (even used) windows laptop/desktop. That will give you the same segregated environment that Bootcamp does, but with access to the latest and most tested Windows drivers and other resources. Also, you will not need to dedicate disk space on a Mac to an environment you don't need a lot.
 
I have ONE program that requires Windows. I need it two or three times a month. I bought a used Microsoft Surface to run it. But I appreciate the directions to the VMWare and other pages since I may still install Windows on one of my MacBook’s with a larger SSD.
 
Imola Ghost said:
Given the fact I don’t need Windows a whole lot, I’m probably just going to dual boot through boot camp.
Click to expand...
Wando64 said:
Keep in mind that dual boot is like having two computers, with the added disadvantage that you have to switch one off to be able to use the other one.
Whereas, the Virtualisation option is like having one computer that can run both operating systems at the same time in a seamless manner, whereby apps from one OS can talk to apps from the other OS, Same clipboard, same file system, etc... (unless you specifically decide to have them isolated).
Click to expand...
Boot Camp Dual Boot is a P.I.T.A. for the reasons stated above. Additionally, with a VM like Parallels, you can easily share files between macOS and Windows.
 
Imola Ghost said:
I’m getting a new MBP on Monday and unfortunately need to have access to Windows for my business the requires Windows to install.

i know you can dual boot or either use a virtual machine.

I’m thinking virtual but do I need a windows install disk or I guess I can download it from Microsoft and install via a USB like we can MacOS? Is there a difference between which version I get? Any by that I mean I remember windows used to have full versions and upgrade versions.

Which virtual machine works the best?
Click to expand...

Whether you Boot Camp or do a VM, you will need an ISO file for your installation media. If you're using Boot Camp, it needs to be Windows 10 v1709 or newer (v1809 or newer if we're talking the 2020 Intel 4-port 13" MacBook Pro). If you're using virtualization software, your Windows version of choice could be pretty much anything, though Windows 8.1, all versions of Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC, Windows 10 Enterprise v1709 or newer, and Windows 10 Pro v1809 or newer are your only options for versions of Windows that are still being patched and maintained by Microsoft.

As for virtualizing Windows vs. Boot Camp, I'd say that unless you need native hardware performance or as close as you can get to it (for higher-end/newer gaming and/or graphically intensive applications for video editing, CAD, or engineering), it'll be simpler to run Windows on a VM.

As for which virtualization program, I'm more of a VMware Fusion guy, but Parallels Desktop works just as well.

If you go the Boot Camp route, you will not be using a USB drive. Newer T2-based Macs sort of make installing via USB a REALLY complex affair (because the T2 chip encrypts storage and both the Windows 10 install media and installation payload both need to have a driver for the T2-encrypted SSD that won't be present on boot media; the Boot Camp Assistant will move the Windows 10 setup files to a hidden APFS container and then inject the storage driver therein as part of the process, but it can't do this for USB media for some reason). If you go the Boot Camp route, Apple will still make the process nice and easy for you; just know that you're not using a USB drive (or any other physical boot media) for it.
 
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