Guide of Bootcamp Windows 11 Installation

In this guide, we'll show how to use Bootcamp to install Windows 11 on a Mac and show you how to use the "Win to go" feature in AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional to create a portable Windows 11 USB.

Posted by @Lucas September 4, 2024 Updated By @Lucas September 4, 2024

Installing Windows on a Mac has become a popular choice for those who need access to both macOS and Windows environments. Thanks to tools like Bootcamp and AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, the process is straightforward and manageable. In this guide, we'll walk you through installing Windows 11 on a Mac using Bootcamp and show you how to use the "Win to go" feature in AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional to create a portable Windows 11 USB.

What is Bootcamp?

Bootcamp is a utility developed by Apple that allows Mac users to install and run Microsoft Windows on their Mac computers. It provides a seamless way to create a dual-boot environment where you can switch between macOS and Windows without any hassle. Bootcamp partitions your hard drive and installs the necessary drivers to ensure that Windows runs smoothly on your Mac hardware.

How to Install Windows 11 on Mac Using Bootcamp

IMPORTANT: If you are using a Mac notebook computer, please connect to a power source before continuing with the installation.

Step 1: Check System Requirements

Before you start, ensure that your Mac meets the system requirements for Windows 11. You'll need:

  • A Mac with an Intel processor (Bootcamp does not support Apple Silicon Macs).
  • At least 64GB of free storage space.
  • A USB flash drive with at least 16GB capacity (if your Mac does not support ISO installation).
  • A Windows 11 ISO file.

Step 2: Backup Your Data

Installing Windows via Bootcamp will partition your hard drive, which can sometimes lead to data loss. It's crucial to back up all your important data before proceeding.

Step 3: Download the Windows 11 ISO File

Visit the official Microsoft website to download the Windows 11 ISO file. Ensure you select the correct version and language.

Step 4: Open Bootcamp Assistant

On your Mac, open Boot Camp Assistant (located in /Applications/Utilities).

  1. At the introduction screen, click Continue.
  2. Check your system's total available disk space. Older Time Machine snapshots and cached iCloud files are removed to make room for Boot Camp. This process can take a long time to complete (you can click the Stop button to skip it).
  3. If you have only one internal disk, choose a Windows ISO image, drag the divider between the macOS and Windows partitions to specify the partition size, then click Install.

Important: You can't resize the partitions later.

  • If you have more than one internal disk, follow the onscreen instructions to select and format the disk you want to install Windows on and choose a Windows ISO image.
  • If you chose a startup disk: You can create additional partitions for Windows. Drag the divider between the macOS and Windows partitions to specify the partition size.
  • If you chose an APFS-formatted disk: You can create additional partitions for Windows on that disk, or you can erase the entire disk and create a partition for Windows. If you choose to create an additional partition, drag the divider between the macOS and Windows partitions to specify the partition size.
  • If you selected a non-APFS disk: You can erase the entire disk and create a partition for Windows.
  • If Boot Camp already exists on the selected disk, you can also choose to uninstall it.

When this step is complete, Windows Setup starts.

Step 5: Select the Windows 11 ISO File

In the Windows installer, follow the onscreen instructions.

When the installation is complete, your Mac automatically restarts with Windows. Follow the orders to install OS, and set the language, time, and keyboard, click “Next” to continue.

Click “Install now”.

Choose “I don’t have a product key”. Or type your product key.  Select an OS edition.

You can choose a suitable OS to install and click “Next”.

Choose a type of installation. Accept the License Term and click “Next”, click “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” in the next window.

 Choose OS installation location, then click “Next”.

Now please wait for the process and your PC will reboot.

After you save the changes and exit, your PC will restart and boot in Windows 11 system.

Bootcamp Assistant will prompt you to select the Windows ISO file. Browse and choose the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded earlier.

Step 6: Install Boot Camp on Windows

After Windows is installed, begin installing the Boot Camp drivers that support your Mac hardware.

Note: If the supporting software doesn't install automatically, you'll need to install it manually. For instructions, see the Apple Support article If the Boot Camp installer doesn't open after using Boot Camp Assistant.

In the Boot Camp installer in Windows, follow the onscreen instructions.

Important: Do not click Cancel in any installer dialog box.

If a message appears telling you that the software you are installing has not passed Windows Logo testing, click Continue Anyway.

You don't need to respond to installer dialog boxes that appear only briefly during the installation, but if a dialog box asks you to install device software, click Install.

If nothing happens, there might be hidden windows that require your response. Look back for open windows.

When the installation is complete, click Finish.

After your Mac restarts, follow the instructions for any other installers that appear.

Better solution for using Windows 11 on Mac

You can use AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional to execute Windows 11 on a Mac computer from a USB drive or other external hard drive. It is equipped with a feature called "Windows To Go Creator," which enables the creation of a Windows to Go USB drive that can be booted on any Mac computer. In contrast to the installation of Windows 11 on a Mac using Boot Camp Assistant, it offers the following benefits:

✌Reduce the size of the installation disk on a Mac On a Mac, AOMEI Partition Assistant does not consume any local disk space, whereas Boot Camp Assistant requires a portion of the Mac's local boot disk to install and operate Windows 11. ✌Completely compatible with all Macintosh computers AOMEI's Windows to Go USB drive is compatible with all Mac devices, whereas Boot Camp's Windows installation is restricted to the current Mac. ✌More convenient and time-saving Boot Camp Assistant is required to download Windows-compatible software, drivers, and associated files onto a USB device, and subsequently initiate the installation process on the local disk. The 64-bit Windows 11 ISO file is all that is necessary to generate a Windows to Go USB for Mac using AOMEI Partition Assistant.
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Before you do: ①If you are trying to create a bootable USB flash drive, you have to use a Windows 11 computer. If you plan to create a bootable SSD and other external hard drives, you can use this feature on all versions of Windows 11/10/8/7. ②This feature supports Legacy+UEFI boot mode and can only boot from UEFI mode. ③You can use USB 2.0/3.0/3.1 USB drive/SSD/HDD, but USB 3.1 device is recommended because it is faster in creating bootable drive and booting from Mac computer then. ④You have to convert the USB external hard drive to GPT partition style. ⑤Download a 64-bit version of Windows 11 a disk image (ISO) from Microsoft.

Step 1. Insert an empty USB drive (over 32GB) to a Windows 11 computer via USB port. It is better to choose USB drive from famous manufacturers such as Samsung, SanDisk, Kingston, etc.

Step 2. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant Pro on Windows PC. Click “Tools”>“Windows To Go Creator” in the toolbar.

Step 3. In the pop-out small window, select “Create Windows ToGo for Mac computer” and hit on “Next”.

Step 4. Then select source file (the Windows 11 ISO files you have download) by clicking the folder icon and click “Next”.

Step 5. Select the USB drive you have plugged in and hit on “Proceed”.

Note: you can click the “Advanced” button to choose the type of created system and target system startup mode.

Step 6. Then wait for the process to be done.

It will take some time to install Windows 11 onto USB drive. After installation, you can safely unplug the USB drive from the Windows computer, and connect it to the target Mac computer. If you have the only USB-C interface on the Mac computer, you will need a USB-C to USB adapter to connect the USB drive. Then power on the Mac computer and then immediately hold down the Option key, select the USB drive and press “Return” to run Windows 11 on Mac from the USB device.

You now have a portable version of Windows 11 that you can use on your Mac or any other computer. This is especially useful for testing, troubleshooting, or carrying your Windows environment with you wherever you go.

Conclusion

Installing Windows 11 on a Mac has never been easier, thanks to tools like Bootcamp and AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Whether you prefer a dual-boot setup with Bootcamp or a portable solution with AOMEI's "Win to go" feature, you have multiple options to enjoy the best of both macOS and Windows worlds. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can seamlessly install and run Windows 11 on your Mac, ensuring you have access to all the applications and features you need.