How to Install Windows 10 on an Old MacBook Running El Capitan

If you're looking for a way to breathe new life into your old MacBook, installing Windows 10 can be a great option. However, the process can be a bit more complicated than usual due to some limitations with Boot Camp drivers. In this article, we'll guide you through the step-by-step process of installing Windows 10 on an old MacBook running El Capitan.

Step 1: Prepare Your USB Drive

Before you start, make sure you have a suitable USB drive. It should be at least 8GB in size and formatted as MS-DOS (FAT). You can use Disk Utility to format the drive. Make sure to back up all the contents of the drive before formatting it.

Step 2: Download the El Capitan Installer

Head over to the App Store and download the El Capitan installer. Once downloaded, select El Capitan in Diskmaker X and create a bootable USB drive.

Step 3: Create a Bootable Windows 10 Install Disk

If you don't have a Windows 10 install disk, you can use an ISO file from your preferred location (e.g., MSDN or torrentz). Place the ISO file on your desktop. Then, insert the USB drive into one of your Mac's ports and download Diskmaker X to the Applications folder.

Step 4: Install Boot Camp Assistant

Launch Boot Camp Assistant and click Continue. The assistant will automatically detect the USB drive as per the screenshot below.

Step 5: Manage the Size of the Windows Partition

Select the option 'Create a Windows 7 or later version install disk' and make sure all three options are selected, as shown in the screenshot below. If this option is missing, please follow the article linked above to resolve the issue.

Step 6: Install Windows 10

Insert the USB drive containing the ISO file into your Mac's port. Launch Boot Camp Assistant and click Continue. The installation process will initiate, and you'll be prompted to select the language and other settings.

Step 7: Format the USB Drive

Launch the Disk Utility, select the USB drive from the list, and press Erase on the top of the window. Make sure MS-DO (FAT) format is selected. This will format the USB drive, so make sure to back up all its contents before doing so.

Step 8: Install Windows 10

Once formatting is complete, launch Boot Camp Assistant and click Continue. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10.

Step 9: Enjoy Your New Dual-Boot Setup

That's it! You've successfully installed Windows 10 on your old MacBook running El Capitan. You can now enjoy the best of both worlds – macOS and Windows 10 – without having to restart your computer.

El capitan install disk