How well does Microsoft's latest operating system run on Apple hardware?
We're going to find out as we install Windows 10 on a 2015 Macbook Pro.
Stay tuned.
Installing Widows 10 on a new Macbook Pro is actually very easy.
You need two things to get started: a USB drive with at least 4GB of space, and the
Windows 10 ISO.
You should also backup OS 10 just in case.
In OS 10, launch your preferred web browser and head to Microsoft's website to download
Windows 10.
We'll put the address down below, or you can just do a search for Windows 10 ISO.
Once you have downloaded the files, you want to open up Boot Camp.
Boot Camp will walk you through the process, including formatting the USB drive and installing
the ISO files to it.
Remember that your USB drive will be formatted during the process, so remove any personal
files that you do not want to delete.
During the process, you will also be asked to set the partition to where Windows 10 will
be installed.
This is your choice.
You can leave the majority to OS 10 as your primary OS, or give 200 GB to Windows 10.
You can also split it evenly.
Remember: you cannot later re-size the Windows 10 partition, so think this through.
Otherwise, you will need to use a third-party app to adjust the partition, or through Boot
Camp to lead the Windows 10 installation and start all over.
Once a partition is setup, the computer will re-boot.
You'll hear that famous Apple gong, and then a black display.
Don't worry-- it may take a little while, but you'll soon see that Microsoft indicator
as Windows 10 begins to load.
Now we are getting into Windows.
We need to first select a partition to install the new apps.
This step is very important, as you could accidentally format your OS 10 partition if
you are not careful.
Make sure you choose the Boot Camp partition.
In this case, it is easy and is the last one and matches the 200 GB I allocated in initial
setup, and notice that the text is very tiny, due to the Windows drivers not yet scaling--
we'll fix this later.
The OS installer will walk you through the rest.
Remember: if you do not have a Windows product key, you can skip entering it and it will
still install the OS.
You can use Windows 10 without buying it, you just cannot customize the look.
You will have a watermark on the lower right-hand corner.
Installation can take upwards of 15-20 minutes.
Your computer will re-boot as it installs drivers and configures the apps.
Finally, we are now in Windows 10.
Boot Camp will now install its own application that always sits in the taskbar area to the
lower right.
Here is where you can switch back to OS 10 and enable the right-click for the track pad
so that it behaves like a true Windows PC.
Boot Camp will also install the Wi-Fi drivers and other hardware support for the Macbook
Pro.
Let's setup and update Windows before we start playing.
The reason everything is so small is because the display scaling is off.
This is an easy fix.
Just head into Settings - Systems - Display, and move the slider to where you think it
looks good.
I find 200% is ideal for the retina display.
We can logoff the system to finalize the settings.
Next, go back to settings and select update and security.
Although this is Windows 10, you will need the necessary Intel graphics drivers to get
rid of that UI stuttering and to optimize performance.
Window 10 will also grab all the latest security updates and anti-virus file definitions for
Windows Defender.
Once completed, you can re-boot the OS to install those updates.
Now that the OS is in tip-top shape, you will still want to update the store apps, including
some core components.
Launch the store and tap the user icon, go to downloads and hit check for updates.
You may see upwards of 25 apps that need to be updated, including the store itself.
Don't be surprised if the store suddenly quits, as this is simply being updated.
Windows 10 is now ready for the world.
Surprisingly, everything works as it should with a Macbook Pro-- Wi-Fi, audio, keyboard
controls for screen brightness and volume also work.
The command key rightly brings up the start menu.
Even Cortana works as it should.
You can even plug in an X-Box One controller and play the latest Halo Windows game from
the store.
Battery life is also excellent, often pushing past 10 hours on a single charge.
Additionally, for traditional PC users, you can download a third-party app from GitHub
to reverse the trackpad scrolling.
Apple's trackpad scrolls one way, whereas PCs are reversed.
Once you download and flip the settings, you will need to re-boot for the settings to take
effect.
Remember: you can use Windows 10 without a product key for as long as you want, but you
cannot change certain settings and you have that watermark; however, if you do want to
register and buy a license, Microsoft made it very simple.
Go to Settings - Update and security activation and pick go to store.
This will open up the Windows store and here you can buy a home or pro license for $119
or $199, respectively.
Overall, Windows 10 runs fantastic on the Macbook Pro 2015.
Battery life is great, performance is outstanding and there is nothing that doesn't work.
Even the trackpad experience is quite solid.
So that's Windows 10 on a Macbook Pro.
If you're a Mac user, I highly encourage you to try it yourself.
If you're a PC user looking for a premium laptop, well you can give this one a shot,
but it may hurt your wallet.
If you need more Windows 10 info, just head to Windows Central-- we have you covered.
Take care everybody.