Forum Discussion
Stephennen
Oct 17, 2025Bronze Contributor
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....
farleyduhaa7
Oct 17, 2025Iron Contributor
Here is a clear, step-by-step method to install Windows 11 on Mac (2018), completely replacing macOS. This process will permanently erase your Mac's hard drive, including macOS and all your files. Back up everything important first. You will need a 16GB+ USB drive and a Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft's website.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Use Boot Camp to Prepare: Open "Boot Camp Assistant" on your Mac. Select only the first two options: "Create a Windows install disk" and "Download Windows support software." Point it to your Windows 11 ISO and the USB drive. This creates a bootable installer with essential Mac hardware drivers.
- Boot from the Installer: Restart your Mac and immediately hold the Option (⌥) key. Select the "EFI Boot" icon to launch the Windows 11 setup from the USB drive.
- Perform a Clean Install: In the Windows setup, when prompted "Where do you want to install Windows?", before you installing Windws 11 on Mac, you must delete all existing partitions. Select each partition (including those labeled "BOOTCAMP" and "Macintosh HD") and click "Delete." Continue until only a single "Unallocated Space" remains.
- Finalize the Installation: Select the unallocated space and click "Next." Windows will automatically create the needed partitions and begin installing. After the setup, install the vital Apple drivers by running the Setup.exe file from the BootCamp folder on your USB drive. This enables your Mac's keyboard, trackpad, Wi-Fi, and other hardware.