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Stephennen's avatar
Stephennen
Bronze Contributor
Oct 17, 2025

Install Windows 11 on Mac without bootcamp and virtual machine?

Hi everyone, Long time Mac users and need some help from Microsoft community as they are many experts for Windows OS. I just bought a new MacBook Pro m4 and my old MacBook Pro 2018 will be retired....
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pyattshl's avatar
pyattshl
Bronze Contributor
Oct 17, 2025

Installing Windows 11 on Mac without using Boot Camp or virtualization software is challenging but possible with a manual installation process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve a clean Windows 11 installation on your old MacBook Pro (2018):

  1. Download Windows 11 ISO and create bootable USB on macOS
  2. Open Disk Utility on macOS.
  3. Select your main drive.
  4. Partition it to create a new NTFS partition for Windows 11 (leave enough space, e.g., 100GB+).
  5. Format it as MS-DOS (FAT) initially, as Windows installer will format it again.
  6. Shut down your Mac.
  7. Connect the bootable Windows 11 USB.
  8. Turn on the Mac and immediately hold the Option (Alt) key.
  9. Select the USB drive from the boot menu to start Windows installer.
  10. Follow the on-screen prompts to install Windows 11 on Mac.
  11. Manually install drivers for graphics, Wi-Fi, audio, etc.
  12. After installation, set your BIOS (or EFI) settings if needed, to boot directly into Windows.
  13. You may need to use Startup Disk or rEFInd Boot Manager to select your Windows partition directly.

 

While not using Boot Camp or virtualization, installing Windows 11 directly is an advanced task that requires comfort with command-line tools, partitioning, and driver management. If you're unsure, consider using Boot Camp, virtualizaation, or third-party tools designed for easier dual-boot setups.

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