# Can I Run Windows 7 on a Macbook Air?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-windows-7-on-a-macbook-air/566462
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [January 5, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-windows-7-on-a-macbook-air/566462 "2011-01-05T05:24:53Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-windows-7-on-a-macbook-air/566462/1 "2011-01-05T05:24:53Z")
Yes, I know, why would you want to? š 'Cause I do, thatās why.
I love what they look like, and the size of them, but I really need to run Win7. Will Parallels work on a Macbook Air? How hard would it be for someone who has seen a Mac before, is fairly computer savvy, and an intermediate user of Windows (as in, I can work out most things on my own or with help from Google) to accomplish this? Can I just install Win 7 on it, and get rid of the Mac OS?
Google seems to say, āYes, butā¦ā with differing variables. So I thought Iād ask you guys.
Please no Mac v PC sniping?
Cheers. š
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### Author:  [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2011, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-windows-7-on-a-macbook-air/566462/2 "2011-01-05T05:56:24Z")
MacBook Air can run Windows 7 on them. Thereās a [support question](http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4407) about this very topic on Appleās website. At least you should be able to run Windows via Bootcamp. According to [Parallels](http://download.parallels.com/desktop/v6/docs/en/Parallels_Desktop_Users_Guide/23599.htm), any new Mac should be able to run their software.
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### Author:  [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2011, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-windows-7-on-a-macbook-air/566462/3 "2011-01-05T08:51:15Z")
Thanks heaps, **qazwart**.
Are you aware of any driver issues or other problems that might arise from running Windows 7 in Bootcamp?
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### Author:  [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2011, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-windows-7-on-a-macbook-air/566462/4 "2011-01-05T12:08:13Z")
Iām running Windows 7 on an early 2008 MacBook without a problem. Apple supplies drivers for all components, so you can just follow the boot camp instructions and install away.
You can even then set your boot preferences to automatically boot up Windows and only boot MacOS when you want it (and hold down the Option key while booting up.)
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### Author:  [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-windows-7-on-a-macbook-air/566462/5 "2011-01-05T17:04:39Z")
iām running Parallels on a new Macbook Air. Windows XP, not 7, but Parallels works fine.
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### Author:  [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2011, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-windows-7-on-a-macbook-air/566462/6 "2011-01-05T17:08:00Z")
Parallels is handy if you need to go back and forth between Mac & Windows applications. If youāre planning to primarily just run in Windows, Iād recommend Boot Camp.
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### Author:  [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-windows-7-on-a-macbook-air/566462/7 "2011-01-05T18:27:08Z")
Here are some links for you:
> **[Windows 7 On The MacBook Air: Don't Go There](https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-7-on-the-macbook-air-dont-go-there/)**
>
> Why would you want to install Windows 7 on a MacBook? It makes Steve Jobs sad.
> **[Install Windows 10 on your Mac with Boot Camp Assistant](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201468)**
>
> With Boot Camp, you can install Microsoft Windows 10 on your Mac, then switch between macOS and Windows when restarting your Mac.
> **[Install Windows 7 on your Mac using Boot Camp](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205016)**
>
> Learn about the requirements and steps to install Microsoft Windows 7Ā on your Mac with Boot Camp.
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### Author:  [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-windows-7-on-a-macbook-air/566462/8 "2011-01-06T00:31:33Z")
Thank you so much everybody, I really appreciate the answers.
Now go to buy my new Air! š