Filed under: Enterprise, OS, Software, How-tos, Freeware, Open Source
Installing Windows 7 RC1 on your Mac... for free
Of course, you may not own Fusion or Parallels, and perhaps you don't want to have to boot into Windows separately. In that case, you can download a copy of Sun's VirtualBox application (it's free) and then download a copy of Windows 7 RC1 from the Microsoft website (it's free, too!). Follow these detailed instructions or watch the video, and you'll have a free way to test Windows 7 until at least June 1, 2010. Windows 7 will shut down after every two hours of use after March 1, 2010, which is Microsoft's subtle way of telling you to buy the OS or update to a later build.
If you're a VMWare Fusion user, the VMWare team has instructions and a video available here. Want to try out Win7 RC1 with Boot Camp? There are instructions here. For Parallels 4 users, I was unable to find a good set of instructions, so if any TUAW readers can provide me with a link, I'll update this post.
How is Windows 7 RC1 as an operating system? It's faster than Windows Vista on my 3 year old iMac, and some features look surprisingly Mac-like. I'll leave it to you as an exercise to see how much you like or dislike it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
ryemac said 5:45PM on 5-10-2009
One question: Why?
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Level 5 said 9:45PM on 5-10-2009
I can give you a couple answers as to why:
1 - My GF who owns a Mac has had to do many papers in Office 2007 format before Office 2008 came out. Thusly, Windows was needed.
2 - My work portal requires IE. Thusly, Windows is needed.
3 - An open mind. Obviously Mac users prefer Macs. Not a shock here. But many Mac users I've shown were surprised to see Windows 7 running as well, and as beautifully as it does. Alot of Windows OS's are seen as archaic as XP or resource hungry as Vista. Those Mac users I showed Windows 7 to still wanted to go back to OS X Leopard, but they were happy to see an experience they didn't have to struggle through like XP/Vista. While 7 won't do anything to make you boot into it over Leopard if that's your preference, it's alot better than Windows has ever, ever been. And this is just RC1.
4 - Back to #3, I do know of some Mac buyers who are mainly Windows users, because of the form factor and Apple's clearly superb support. I'm no Mac guy, but the hardware and build quality, especially of Apple notebooks, is far and away better than PC hardware. Yeah it costs more, but you get what you pay for. If it breaks, you get someone who is specially trained in your hardware at an Apple Store. Not some guy who went through generalized training at a Best Buy Geek Squad. The best part being, if the Windows install is broken, boom, boot into Leopard, and back up what you need. Grey-box PC users need Ubuntu for that. ;)
Bill Tilstone said 7:11AM on 5-11-2009
Don't understand Level 5's reply re GF and Office 2007 / 2008. I have had no problems with MS Office using either NeoOffice or iWork '09 (did have some issues with earlier iWork).
Level 5 said 7:39AM on 5-11-2009
Bill - Yes, there are no issues with Neo/iWork and Office 2007 compatibility now. But when Office 2007 first dropped, alternative solutions either didn't work, or were sketchy at best.
Tom Castle said 10:48AM on 5-11-2009
Because Windows 7 is supposed to be vastly improved, some of us still use Windows-only applications, and some of us are curious to see how the competition is doing. Personally, I hope Windows 7 is as great as many people say it is. Better competition will keep Apple sharp, and more options are always better than fewer.
apnmail said 5:50PM on 5-10-2009
There are a few glitches though: if the computer goes to sleep you can't turn it on and the volume, eject and brightness keys don't work, even with Apple drivers for Vista.
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Anthony said 11:53PM on 5-10-2009
I've been running 7 on my 1st gen MBP since it came out on beta with the Vista drivers. It's worked perfectly for me. You just have to install the Boot Camp software in Vista compatibility mode. I obviously use Leopard more than 7, but I've yet to have any problems with it. I do wish they kept the native Bluetooth support in RC1, but it's not that big of a deal for me. I have a USB cable for my phone anyways. Unlike many of you guys, I will probably end up buying 7.
HBSteve said 5:54PM on 5-10-2009
Why? Because its free... pretty cool.. I have an older mac, but may try this out when I have the need...If we can just get macs fown to PC prices they will take over
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Matthew said 7:53PM on 5-11-2009
Wow ryemac. PLEASE confirm the stereotypical attitude that all mac users are elitist idiots that have no idea how to think freely for themselves, and are unable to look at anyone else's point of view beside their own. FTFA: "Sometimes you have to use Windows. Supporting clients in multiple-OS environments makes this a necessity for some Mac users, while others want to run applications that are available in Windows only. "
Now that that's over with..
I enjoy windows 7. It is certainly faster and more stable, yet leaves something to be desired. The ability to run all those fun games is certainly great, and a lot of the new features actually do help improve my productivity. Microsoft made a mistake with Vista, but 7 is definitely a step in the right direction to restore its image.
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Nick from DC said 5:54PM on 5-10-2009
I tried running the first Win 7 beta in VirtualBox. I would have been better off running it on an abacus.
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oliver hart said 10:07PM on 5-10-2009
Windows 7 runs smoothly with virtualbox on mine. 2.0Ghz with 2GB ram. Are you on a performa?
Nick from DC said 10:23PM on 5-10-2009
No, a 1.83GHz with 2GB RAM. I think it was the visual effects that were a real drag. I lost interest, so I took my HDD back.
Adam said 7:17PM on 5-11-2009
Are you on a Performa? ROFL!!! Thanks for taking me back :)
Fernando said 5:54PM on 5-10-2009
Should I go with 32 or 64bit?
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cmsb55 said 9:32PM on 5-10-2009
If you have 3 GB of RAM or less, the 32 bit version is just as good but if you have more than 3, go 64 bit.
Kae said 6:03PM on 5-10-2009
..."surprisingly" Mac-like? Really?
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sk3 said 6:11PM on 5-10-2009
I've successfully installed Windows 7 on my Macbook Pro with all the functions except the trackpad. The 2 finger right click doesn't work, but i got the brightness and function keys to work like windows vista.
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samu said 6:34PM on 5-10-2009
I don't think two-finger right click is "supposed" to work. Try holding two fingers on the pad, then physically clicking.
Apologies if this is what you've been trying...
sk3 said 7:04PM on 5-10-2009
Oh yeah, that's right. Thanks for the correction :)
f055 said 6:41PM on 5-10-2009
You know you could just simply use Boot Camp http://f055.net/article/windows-7-on-macbook-first-look/
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