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by Joe Kissell
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Take Control of Running Windows on a Mac, Fourth Edition
Find essential advice for running Windows on your Intel-based Mac!
Using an Intel-based Mac means you can choose the best of both worlds—running Mac OS X or running Windows, but what's the optimal way way to go about it? Cross-platform expert Joe Kissell has distilled untold hours of testing into this ebook to help you understand the pros and cons of Apple's Boot Camp versus virtualization software and to give advice and step-by-step instructions for installing and using either Windows 7, Vista, or XP in Boot Camp, Parallels Desktop 5, VMware Fusion 3, and VirtualBox.
The ebook comes with a coupon for $10 off on VMware Fusion 3. (See the FAQ tab below for more info.)
If you're a VMware Fusion user, check out Take Control of VMware Fusion 2 ($10) or Take Control of VMware Fusion 3 (free) instead!
- More Info
- Contents & Intro
- What’s New
- FAQ
- Blog
You'll also find out how to connect third-party peripherals and printers, share files between operating systems, avoid Windows malware, and back up a Windows installation. Plus, Joe looks briefly at running Windows software without installing Windows and at running Windows on PowerPC-based Macs.
Read this book to learn the answers to questions such as:
- What are 14 things that you can do in Windows, but not on the Mac?
- How can I get a copy of Windows that will work on a Mac?
- Which exact version of Windows should I run?
- How can I set things up so that Windows won't bog down?
- How should I handle partitioning for my Windows installation?
- How do I avoid and handle activation hassles?
- Boot Camp is free with Mac OS X, but what are the pros and cons to using it?
- How can I best run Windows with Boot Camp and virtualization software?
- Should I run VMware Fusion, Parallels Desktop, or VirtualBox?
- What's the best way to right-click in Windows?
- How do I print from my Windows software?
- How do I make my Bluetooth devices work in Windows?
- What is FAT32, and why might it matter to me?
- What are the coolest new features in Parallels Desktop 5?
- What's new and exciting in VMware Fusion 3?
- Should I run VMware Fusion, Parallels Desktop, or VirtualBox?
I really enjoyed "Take Control of Running Windows on a Mac." It was very informative, easy to read, and not too complicated. —Brian Henson
Book Info
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About the Author
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Book Reviews
Author Interviews |
Joe Kissell has written numerous books about the Macintosh, including many popular Take Control ebooks. He's also Senior Editor of TidBITS, contributes frequently to Macworld, and previously spent ten years in the Mac software industry.
Table of Contents
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Read Me FirstApple's Intel-based Macs offer several excellent options for running Windows alongside, or even instead of, Mac OS X. This guide covers Apple's dual-boot software, Boot Camp, as well as third-party virtualization software (such as Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion) and solutions for running Windows applications without Windows itself. This book was written by Joe Kissell, edited by Caroline Rose, and published by TidBITS Publishing Inc. |
Introduction
Anyone who knows me will tell you I'm a Mac fan through and through. As I type this, I can see six Macs within a radius of ten feet in my home office (and that doesn't count the Xserve I have sitting in a rack at a data center). I've written oodles of articles, books, and ebooks about Mac software, and for the past dozen years or so most of my income has resulted, in one way or another, from my work with Macs. If I had a nickel for every time someone referred to me as "the Mac guy," I could retire today.
And yet, although I've always been candid about my preference for Macs, I'm well versed in Windows, too; for years, I was deeply involved in developing and testing software for both platforms. Whether it's performing an exorcism on someone's virus-infected PC or walking a friend through a fiddly troubleshooting procedure over the phone, I know my stuff. Partly because I understand Windows so well, I'd always opt for a Mac if given the choice. But, like it or not, some things I want to do with my computer still require Windows. Even when working on something platform-neutral, such as a Web site, I want to be sure things look and work correctly on Windows.
On those occasions when I've needed Windows over the past few years, I've tried everything from running Virtual PC to visiting a library or cybercafe—everything, in other words, short of buying a Windows PC. That was the one step I hoped never to take, but other solutions were frequently awkward, slow, or otherwise annoying. Now, thanks to my Intel-based Mac, I can get the Mac OS X environment I love plus a fast, fully featured Windows installation, all in one box. I can even share files and network connections seamlessly between operating systems.
Achieving this state of computing bliss did require overcoming some time-consuming hurdles, however. For example, I had to figure out the pros and cons to using Apple's Boot Camp software versus third-party products such as Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion (and, eventually, how I could use both approaches with the same installation of Windows). Before support for Windows Vista and Windows 7 appeared, I had to find a way to create a Windows XP CD that had Service Pack 2 already integrated, even though my boxed copy of Windows XP was manufactured before SP2 existed. And I had to make educated guesses about numerous configuration options that were documented poorly (or not at all).
Having wrestled with these issues and more, I'd like to save you that effort and offer you a set of easy-to-follow instructions. In this book, I tell you everything you need to know about your options for running Windows on a Mac, how to get around common annoyances, and what you should do to protect yourself from the big, bad world of Windows malware.
One thing I spend very little time on here is how to use Windows itself; I assume a basic familiarity with such features as the Start menu and Windows Explorer. If you've never used Windows before, you're bound to be somewhat disoriented, and in that case I recommend picking up one of the books listed in the Learn More section.
When I wrote the first version of this book, Intel Macs had been shipping for just a few months. Apple's Boot Camp software was in beta testing at version 1.0, and Parallels Desktop had only recently reached its final 1.0 release stage. Since then, Boot Camp has matured tremendously and is included as part of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and later, Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion have both undergone tremendous improvements, and an open-source virtualization environment called VirtualBox has appeared. CodeWeavers has been selling CrossOver Mac, which enables some Windows programs to run without Windows itself. And, after Windows Vista received a less than stellar response, Microsoft righted many of its wrongs with Windows 7.
In this edition, I assume you're running Mac OS X 10.5 or later, since that's now the minimum configuration that supports Boot Camp. Although much of the information I provide about virtualization software also applies to Tiger (Mac OS X 10.4), only Snow Leopard and Leopard offer the full range of options for running Windows on a Mac.
The Windows-on-Mac situation will likely remain in a state of flux for the foreseeable future. As the facts change, I'll update this book with the latest information. You can stay on top of recent developments by clicking Check for Updates on the ebook's cover (if you don't have the PDF version of this book, you can contact us to get one).
Quick Start to Running Windows on a Mac, Fourth Edition
You need not read this book straight through; most people will pick one method for running Windows and read only the relevant sections. But be sure not to skip Decide How to Run Windows, which provides important background information.
Make initial preparations:
- Find out whether adding Windows to your Mac is for you. Read Why Bother? for guidance.
- Determine whether the best approach is to install Boot Camp or virtualization software (or both), in Decide How to Run Windows.
- Regardless of which method you choose, your next step is to Collect the Ingredients you'll need to install and use Windows.
If you decide to go with Boot Camp:
- Learn how to Install and Use Boot Camp.
- Overcome common annoyances with mice and keyboards. Read Solve Input Device Problems.
- Keep your data safe. Read Back Up a Boot Camp Volume.
If you choose virtualization software:
- Learn the basic terminology and concepts about virtual machines. See Understand Virtualization Concepts.
- Install and Use Parallels Desktop, Install and Use VMware Fusion, or Install and Use VirtualBox.
- Protect your Windows installation against data loss. Read Back Up Virtual Machine Data.
Solve irritating problems:
- Solve Printing Problems in Windows.
- If you have a pre–Service Pack 2 Windows CD, bring it up to date inexpensively. Read Create a Slipstream Installer Disc.
- Keep Windows safe from viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. See Protect Your Windows Setup from Malware.
Go further:
- Learn about Wine, Darwine, CrossOver Mac, Cider, and ReactOS in Run Windows Applications without Windows .
- Discover additional resources in Learn More.
- Find out how to run Windows (sort of) on a Mac without an Intel chip in Appendix A: Windows on a PowerPC Mac.
What’s New in Version 4.0
This new edition is a major revision that incorporates the latest infor- mation about running Windows on a Mac as of January 2010. The most significant changes are:
- Added information about right-clicking and about using Apple’s new Magic Mouse (see Right-Clicking)
- Updated information about running Boot Camp under Mac OS X 10.6 (see Boot Camp, and Install and Use Boot Camp)
- Added a new discussion about OpenOSX Wintel
- Significantly revised the discussion of how to choose a version of Windows to include Windows 7 (see Which Version of Windows?); also made numerous other changes related to Windows 7
- Thoroughly overhauled Install and Use Parallels Desktop and other mentions of Parallels in the book to cover Parallels 5
- Updated Install and Use VMware Fusion to cover Fusion 3, and appropriately modified other mentions of Fusion throughout the book
- Updated the information about VirtualBox (see Install and Use VirtualBox) to cover the latest release
- Added information about ReactOS
I bought the ebook, but where are the coupons?
After you download and unzip your ebook, open it in a PDF reader (typically Apple Preview or Adobe Reader). You'll find the coupons at the end. Unfortunately, the Parallels coupon has expired and we are having difficulty getting in touch with them to renew the coupon. The VMware Fusion, coupon, however, does not have an expiration date.
How up-to-date is this book?
The book was last updated in January 2010. It covers Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, along with Parallels Desktop 5 and VMware Fusion 3.
Will the ebook work with 10.4 Tiger? 10.5 Leopard? 10.6 Snow Leopard?
The ebook assumes that you’re running Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or later, since that’s the minimum configuration that supports Boot Camp. Although much of the discussion in the ebook about virtualization software also applies to Tiger, only Snow Leopard and Leopard offer the full range of options for running Windows on a Mac.
Can I read this ebook on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch?
There are lots of great ways to read PDFs on these devices. For more details, please read our latest Device Advice.
Ask a Question
Feel free to ask us if you have a question about this book!
Send Us Your Comments!
How could we not publish such kind words? If you'd like to send us your comments (good or bad, though we hope they're all good), just click the Feedback link on the cover of your copy of the ebook. Be sure to let us know if we can publish your comment. Thanks!
Update Plans
January 2010 -- We have no immediate plans to update this ebook.
—Tonya Engst
Apple Updates Boot Camp for Windows 7
February 3, 2010 --
Apple recently released a series of updates that finally enable most (but not all) Intel-based Macs to run Windows 7 via Boot Camp. Prior to these updates, although some Boot Camp users were able to successfully upgrade from Windows XP or Vista to Windows 7, most encountered various bugs and compatibility issues. To learn more, check out Joe Kissell's TidBITS article, Apple Updates Boot Camp for Windows 7.
—Doug McLean
Joe Talks about How to Run Windows on a Mac
January 22, 2010 --
In MacVoices #1005, author Joe Kissell rounds up his latest recommendations for how to best run Windows on a Mac. In recent months, Microsoft shipped Windows 7, VMware shipped Fusion 3, and Parallels shipped Parallels Desktop 5, so there's a lot to talk about. The podcast episode corresponds with the release of the fourth edition of "Take Control of Running Windows on a Mac."
—Tonya Engst
New Ebook Offers Up-to-Date Details about Windows on a Mac
January 18, 2010 --
Now that running Windows on an Intel-based Mac has become commonplace, you might think that it has also become easy. Alas, the gods of technology have yet to make it so, and getting Windows to run smoothly can still make you want to rip your hair out. This fact also keeps Mac writers like Joe Kissell busy, and, thanks to Joe's unstoppable curiosity about all things related to virtualization, we've just released his latest ebook, Take Control of Running Windows on a Mac, Fourth Edition, with coverage of the latest versions of VMware Fusion, Parallels Desktop, VirtualBox, and Boot Camp, along with updated information for the recently released Windows 7 joining the details for Windows XP and Vista.
The 178-page ebook helps you figure out which virtualization software makes sense for you, round up the necessary hardware and software, make any obligatory preparations (like partitioning with the right format - FAT32, anybody?), and get it all working right with hardware drivers installed, printers printing, anti-virus software patrolling the perimeter, and so forth. Joe also gets into the details of sharing files between Mac and Windows installations, making the most of the snazzy new features in the latest versions of Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion, creating functional backups of your Windows installation, and generally getting on with your life while using Windows. To make the $10 ebook even more valuable, it comes with coupons for $10 off VMware Fusion and 10% off Parallels Desktop.
While discussing running Windows on a Mac, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that Joe's Take Control of VMware Fusion 3 is available for free, thanks to a sponsorship from VMware. If you definitely want to use Fusion, then you should download Take Control of VMware Fusion 3 first, although Take Control of Running Windows on a Mac will still be useful if you need more help than the free VMware Fusion book provides in deciding which version of Windows to install, setting up Boot Camp to work with VMware Fusion, or solving Boot Camp problems. You can download Take Control of VMware Fusion 3 from the Take Control Web site or pick up a free copy of the (slightly experimental) iPhone app version from the iTunes App Store.
If you already own a previous edition of Take Control of Running Windows on a Mac, be sure to check your email for a discount update offer, or find the offer by opening the ebook and clicking the Check for Updates button on the first page.
—Adam C. Engst
Joe Talks about VMware Fusion 3
November 5, 2009 --
In MacVoices # 8134, you can listen and learn about Fusion 3 as author Joe Kissell chats with podcast host Chuck Joiner about various aspects of using Fusion to run Windows on your Mac. This podcast coincides with the release of Take Control of VMware Fusion 3, which is available for download at no charge, thanks to a sponsorship from VMware.
—Tonya Engst
Joe Kissell at MacWorld Expo on MacVoices TV
February 12, 2009 --
Wondering what author Joe Kissell is like in real life? Joe gave 11 presentations at Macworld Expo last month, so some of you surely met him in person then, but if you didn't, or for whatever reason, you can see him now on MacVoicesTV. Chuck Joiner from MacVoices caught up with Joe at Macworld Expo. You can watch (or listen) to their conversation, and learn about the types of Windows users that Joe encountered at the Expo. You can also learn Joe's age, and what hardware caught his eye at the Expo.
—Tonya Engst
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