Corinne Hoisington is an Information Systems Technology Professor at Central Virginia Community College

Teaching any type of Microsoft Office application may be difficult if you use a Mac. Access is not available for MAC. There are two options for running Windows operating systems on a Mac. You have two options: you can use Boot Camp (a standard feature of the Mac OS) or you can purchase Parallels (a virtualization software package for $79.99 USD). Let’s now focus on Boot Camp, the free solution.
Before we get started, please be aware that Boot Camp is not compatible with M1 Macs running Apple Silicon. Boot Camp is only compatible with Intel-based Macs. Boot Camp can’t be used to install Windows on a M1 MacBook or Mac Mini. You would need Parallels if you have an M1 Mac.

Boot Camp to Install Windows 10 On Your Mac
Boot Camp allows you to install Microsoft Windows 10 on your Mac and then switch between macOS or Windows when you restart. These are the prerequisites for installing Windows 10.
64GB or more storage space is available on your Mac startup disc. Although your Mac can have 64GB of storage space, at least 128GB is recommended for the best experience. Automatic Windows updates need at least that much space. Your startup disk must have at least the same amount of space as your Mac’s memory if you have an iMac Pro, Mac Pro or Mac Pro with 128GB or more memory (RAM).
External USB flash drive of 16GB or greater, unless you are using a Mac that does not require a flash drive to install Windows.
64-bit Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro, on a disk image or other media. If you are installing Windows 10 Home or Pro on your Mac for first time, this must be a complete version of Windows.
Download a Windows 10 disk image from Microsoft if your copy of Windows was on a USB flash drive, or if you have a Windows product code and no installation disc.
You might need to create an image of the DVD that contains Windows if it came on a DVD.

How to install Windows 10 on a Mac
Boot Camp Assistant is included with your Mac to install Windows.
1. Secure Boot settings:
Before you start, make sure to check your Secure Boot setting. Full Security is the default Secure Boot setting. If you have changed it to No Security, change it back to Full Security prior to installing Windows. After installing Windows, any Secure Boot setting can be used without affecting your ability for Windows to start.

2. Boot Camp Assistant is used to create a Windows partition
Open Boot Camp Assistant. It is located in the Utilities folder under your Applications folder. Follow the instructions.

When asked to insert a USB flash drive, plug your USB flash disk into your Mac. Boot Camp Assistant will use it for creating a bootable USB drive to install Windows.
Boot Camp Assistant will ask you to choose the size of your Windows partition. Remember the storage-space requirements from the previous section. You can choose a partition size that suits your needs. You can’t alter its size later, so make sure you have the right requirements.

3. Format the Windows Boot Camp partition
Your Mac will restart to the Windows installer after Boot Camp Assistant is finished. When asked where Windows should be installed, choose the Boot Camp partition and then click Format. Most cases, the installer will format the Boot Camp partition automatically.

4. Install Windows
Unplug any external devices you don’t need during installation. Click Next to continue installing Windows.

5. Use the Boot Camp installer for Windows
After Windows installation is complete, your Mac will start up in Windows and open a “Welcome To the Boot Camp Installer” window. Follow the instructions on screen to install Boot Camp or Windows support software (drivers). When you are done, you will be asked to restart.
If the Bootcamp installer does not open, you can manually open it and complete Boot Camp installation.
External displays that are connected to Thunderbolt 3 ports on your Mac will cause the display to be blank (black or gray) for up to two minutes during installation.

How to switch between Windows and macOS
To switch between Windows or macOS, restart and then hold down the Option (or Alt key) key during startup.

You are looking for more ways to help students who use different devices? Melinda Doty demonstrates how to use virtual machines without Microsoft Office installed to complete assignments.