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To run Windows, you'll need a Mac with an Intel processor, like the 2019 MacBook Pro and 2019 MacBook Air.

Whatever the reason is, you might need to use Windows instead of MacOS sometimes. It might be because you want to play a game that's exclusive to Windows, or you're a developer who wants to test out software on both operating systems. Fortunately for you, you don't need to buy two computers to run Windows and Mac. Instead, you can do it all on one device.

If you have an Intel-based Mac with enough storage, and the correct Windows 10 ISO file -- which you can download for free from the official Windows website -- you can set up Windows 10 in less than an hour on your Apple computer. Anytime you boot up your Mac, you can choose whether to run Windows or MacOS. Here's how to do it.

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To successfully run Windows 10 on your Mac computer, here's what you need to have:

If you're unsure whether your computer is Intel-based, click on the Apple logo on the menu bar, and then go into About This Mac. If you see the words Processor, followed by the name of an Intel processor, like "2.6GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7," then you have an Intel-based Mac.

Before you start, though, it's wise to back up your disk withTime Machine before partitioning just in case something goes wrong.

Windows 11 isn't currently compatible with Boot Camp Assistant on MacOS. So, you'll need to download Windows 10 instead. You can download a free disc image, also known as an ISO file, of Windows 10 from the official Windows website.

1. On your Mac, go to this Windows software download page.

2. Click on Select Edition, and choose Windows 10 (multi-edition ISO).

3. Hit Confirm, and wait for your request to be verified.

4. Once that finishes, choose your language and click on Confirm.

5. Finally, click on 64-bit Download to download the Windows 10 ISO file.

Download the 64-bit Windows 10 ISO file from the Windows website (most modern computers have a 64-bit capable processor).

The Windows 10 ISO file is nearly 6GB, so depending on your internet connection and speed, it could take up to 30 minutes to finish downloading. After the ISO file is done, leave it in your downloads, and move on to the next step.

The software you'll use to run Windows 10 on your Mac is Boot Camp Assistant, which comes factory-installed on your Mac. Boot Camp Assistant is made specifically for installing Windows operating systems on your computer, and fortunately the setup process is pretty straightforward.

1. Launch Boot Camp Assistant on your Mac, and click Continue.

2. Click on Choose a Windows 10 ISO file, and upload the Windows 10 ISO file you downloaded in the previous step.

3. Drag the bar to choose a size for your Windows partition disk (42GB is the minimum).

4. Click Install, and wait roughly 10 minutes for the partition to be created.

Upload the Windows 10 ISO file and choose the partition size.

Once the Windows partition is finished, your laptop will restart.

Your computer will boot up, but instead of showing you the Apple logo you're accustomed to, you should instead see the blue Windows logo appear. Here's what you need to do next:

1. Go through the Windows setup.

2. Enter a product key if you have one. If not, you can continue without one.

Even without a product key, you'll be able to access Windows on your Mac, so don't worry if you don't have one. During the installation, you'll see window files copied, features and updates installed and more. This should take another 10 minutes.

Your Mac will restart. But this time you'll be asked to set up Windows, just as you would on a Windows computer. You can use Cortana and your voice to complete the setup, but you're also welcome to use your keyboard, mouse and trackpad.

1. Choose your language, keyboard layout, Wi-Fi and more to begin.

2. If you have a Windows account, log in with your credentials.

3. Windows will boot up on your Mac. You'll be asked to create a passcode and/or PIN to enter your computer. Do that to protect your account.

This is the Windows lock screen that appears after your Mac restarts.

Finally, the last thing you'll need to do is install and update Boot Camp on Windows. That will let you make any additional changes to your partition or fix any issues while you're running Windows. When you access Windows for the first time, you should receive a notification to install Boot Camp. This will take 10 minutes to install, but it's the last thing you need to do before you can use Windows without any issues.

Feel free to use Windows how you want. Windows 10's default web browser is Microsoft Edge, but you can use it to downloadChrome or anything else to surf the internet. You can then download files and install software you would only be able to install on a Windows-powered computer -- like Paint.NET and certain games from Steam -- but on your Mac.

Windows 10 on a MacBook Pro.

If you ever want to go back to MacOS from Windows, do the following:

1. Restart your computer.

2. As soon as the screen goes black, hold down the Option key for 5 seconds.

3. On the screen, you'll then have the option to boot up MacOS or Windows.

4. Choose the partition you want to open.

Hold down the Option key when you reboot to choose a different partition.

Use this keyboard shortcut to switch between your disks as needed.

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You can easily install Windows 10 on your Mac. Here's how - CNET