Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Resolved Question

Windows only on MacBook Air?

Aug 3, 2011 1:36AM PDT

Not to offend anyone's Mac sensibilities, can windows be installed on an Air without using OSX at all? The reason I ask is I have a client who is completely embedded in windows. He needs a notebook to travel with and would love something as thin and light as an Air. I'm aware of dual boot stuff but would really prefer a system that just boots to windows for him as he's not a techie at all (although he has a stunning array of computer goodies and uses them all, thanks to my tutelage). I remember when windows had versions for the PPC, Alpha platforms etc. but am not aware that is still an option. I run Snow leopard on a Dell M1330 using a special bootloader that is not MAC. True it's not a real Mac notebook with all native functionality but the hardware was lots cheaper than a real Mac and I love to experiment. In my clients case he'd like to run windows on a needlessly more expensive piece of hardware for no other reason than the Air is so thin and light. So, there you have the reason for my asking, "Is it possible to install windows on an Air (or any other Mac) as the only OS?"

Discussion is locked

fred_beondo has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

- Collapse -
No.
Aug 3, 2011 3:41AM PDT

We still have to use Boot Camp.

Your question however may be taken too literally. Since we can have it so it boots into Windows, why must we avoid OSX?
Bob

- Collapse -
Windows on a MacBook Air
Aug 3, 2011 4:54AM PDT

I'm not familiar with Boot Camp. I'm not a big fan of multiboot setups in the first place. For alternate OSs I simply use VirtualBox or use external drives to install alternate OSs. Windows, however, cannot be installed on a USB of Firewire drive. Windows won't boot from an external drive unless it's eSATA (which IS internal for all intents and purposes). Does OSX have to be installed to use Boot Camp? If so, I understand the need for OSX. I'm primarily a Linux user and use GRUB or BURG to load my OS.
Thanks!

- Collapse -
Does OSX have to be installed to use Boot Camp?
Aug 3, 2011 5:39AM PDT

No need for me to duplicate Apple's site but I think I see your issue. But to understand why can't boot the Windows DVD is simple. Microsoft doesn't support EFI BIOS's and that's the long and short of it.

Just use BOOT CAMP and you'll get it done.
Bob

- Collapse -
Thanks again.
Aug 3, 2011 11:07AM PDT

NT