How to Switch from Mac to Windows Using Bootcamp

Are you tired of using your Mac and want to switch to a Windows operating system? With Bootcamp, it's possible to install Windows 10 on your mid-2011 iMac or similar running OS X El Capitan. Before you start, make sure you have at least 50GB free disk space and an ISO containing Windows 10.

Step 1: Disable System Integrity Protection

To modify the Bootcamp Utility, you need to disable System Integrity Protection (SIP). To do this, follow these steps:

* Open Terminal from the Utilities menu.

* Type exactly `csrutil disable` and press Return. Your Terminal should display a message that SIP was disabled.

Step 2: Modify Bootcamp

Now, modify the Bootcamp Utility to allow creation of a bootable USB drive.

* Delete the word 'Pre' from `USBBootSupportedModels` and add your Model Identifier.

* Delete the word 'Pre' from `UEFIModels` and add your Model Identifier.

* Add your Boot ROM Version to `DARequiredROMVersions`.

* Open the ist file in your favorite text editor, or use nano like I did.

Step 3: Create a Bootable USB Drive

Before you install Windows 10, make sure you have created a bootable USB drive. To do this, follow these steps:

* Change directory to `/Applications/Utilities/Boot Camp Assistant.app/Contents`.

* Run `sudo cp ist` to make a backup of the file.

* Open Terminal and navigate to `/Applications/Utilities/Boot Camp Assistant.app/Contents`.

* My mid-2011 iMac's Model Identifier was 'iMac12,2' and the Boot ROM Version was '23'.

Step 4: Install Windows 10

Now you can install Windows 10 on your Mac. Make sure you have an ISO containing Windows 10 and a mid-2011 iMac or similar running OS X El Capitan.

* IMPORTANT: Unplug all external and physical hard drives that you won't be installing to to avoid accidentally erasing them.

* Restart your Mac, holding down Command-R until you see an Apple icon and a progress bar.

* Select the bootable USB drive as the installation source.

* Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10.

Step 5: Enable System Integrity Protection Again

Once you have finished installing Windows 10, make sure to enable SIP again by following the same steps but running `csrutil enable` instead.

Remember to be super careful when modifying system files and partitions. If you nuke your machine, restore your Time Machine backup. Also, make note of which drives and partitions remain after installation (e.g., System and Storage hard drives).

It is possible to install Windows 10 on earlier iMacs and it seems to run quite well. Follow these steps carefully, and you should be able to switch from Mac to Windows using Bootcamp successfully.

How to switch from mac to windows using bootcamp