Windows only on MacBook Pro?

[khodan]

My HDD is broken so I ordered a new SSD drive.
I was wondering if I can install windows only when I receive my SSD drive
Thanks in advance.

 

[cookiesnfooty]

Hi,

You can do this technically but you need the bootcamp partition to be created.
You can restore OSX via Command & r and then once it is installed go to add bootcamp. Once you have booted and have bootcamp running you can just remove the OSX partition if you really want to.

 

[Freyqq]

You can, but I wouldn't recommend it. Sometimes there are firmware patches that can't be installed without OSX. Also, OSX is required in order to get the bootcamp drivers. I'd make the smallest OSX partition you can get away with and dedicate the rest to Windows. Then, set windows as the default bootup choice.

 

[Altemose]

My HDD is broken so I ordered a new SSD drive.
I was wondering if I can install windows only when I receive my SSD drive
Thanks in advance.

Yes. Pop in a Windows disk and format the disk right there then download the Boot Camp software appropriate for your computer. Though, doesn't that defeat the purpose of a MacBook?

 

[laurihoefs]

Hi,

You can do this technically but you need the bootcamp partition to be created.
You can restore OSX via Command & r and then once it is installed go to add bootcamp. Once you have booted and have bootcamp running you can just remove the OSX partition if you really want to.

You don't need to use Bootcamp, if Windows is the sole OS you want to install. Bootcamp or rEFIt are only needed, if you want to use run multiple OSs.

Just like Altemose said, only the Bootcamp drivers are needed. It might be a good idea to download them in advance and putting them on a USB stick, as depending on the MacBook Pro model, Windows might not have proper network drivers for it built in. You might not be able to download anything (including the Bootcamp drivers) before installing the Bootcamp drivers..

 

[T5BRICK]

Keep in mind that you won't be able to apply any firmware updates from Apple without being able to boot into OSX.

 

[maflynn]

Keep in mind that you won't be able to apply any firmware updates from Apple without being able to boot into OSX.

How often does apple provide firmware updates - pretty rare if you ask me.

Still, its better to have a very small OSX partition for this or other needs that may arise with OSX

 

[cookiesnfooty]

You don't need to use Bootcamp, if Windows is the sole OS you want to install. Bootcamp or rEFIt are only needed, if you want to use run multiple OSs.

Just like Altemose said, only the Bootcamp drivers are needed. It might be a good idea to download them in advance and putting them on a USB stick, as depending on the MacBook Pro model, Windows might not have proper network drivers for it built in. You might not be able to download anything (including the Bootcamp drivers) before installing the Bootcamp drivers..

True but I was making a suggestion which would include having the correct drivers.

 

[romesk90]

How often does apple provide firmware updates - pretty rare if you ask me.

Still, its better to have a very small OSX partition for this or other needs that may arise with OSX

The newer makes seem to have firmware updates pretty often. My macbook has had 4-5 in a year and a half of ownership. That seems high to me.