However, the above answer involved using the graphical user interface (GUI) which was reported to cause problems. How to install Windows 10 into a 2011 iMac without using the Boot Camp Assistant, an optical (DVD) drive or third party tools? No bootable device USB 2.0 MacBook Pro mid 2014īoot camp install of Windows 7 issue, no bootable devicesĪfter High Sierra was released, the use of a virtual optical drive could be eliminated on certain model Macs.

This is closely related to the two questions given below. The answer that closest matches your question can be found at Any solution to bootcamp windows 8.1 with macbook pro 15' 2010?. I do not know if the same would be true for your 2009 iMac. Originally, I was required to use an optical drive to install Windows, but now I can also use a flash drive or install directly from the ISO file. When I installed High Sierra on my 2011 iMac, firmware upgrades were installed that allowed the Mac to EFI boot the Windows 10 installer from an ExFAT formatted internal or USB drive. I tested this earlier this year and was successful using a 2018 Mac mini. It has been reported that a Windows 7 or 8.1 product key will work with the current Windows 10 download.

Personally, I would try installing the current version of Windows 10. There is no actual way to tell other than trying. Using an external DVD drive may or may not work.

Apple does not support installing from an ISO with any 2009 model year Macs. Officially, installing from an ISO file did not start with Macs until the 2015 model year. Although, many users here at Ask Different have modified the Boot Camp Assistant in a attempt to install Windows using a flash drive. The Boot Camp Assistant does require installing Windows from a DVD on your model Mac. I have a 2011 iMac with a working optical and High Sierra, so I doubt High Sierra is the reason the optical drive fails to work. Therefore, installing a Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 usually requires more than the Boot Camp Assistant. I did a quick check with the internet and it would appears 64 bit Windows 7 is the last version of Windows that Apple officially supports on your model Mac. Below are answers to the questions in your post.

Boot camp mac os high sierra