Trying to download and test Windows

So I need to put Windows on my MBP in order to run AutoCAD and later Mathcad. I plan to download Windows and see how AutoCAD works through Parallels. If it runs well, I'll stick with that and pay for Parallels. If it's too slow, I'll just use boot camp.

I was lucky to get access to a free download of Windows 7. When I went to download it, I got a file titled Windows_7_Professional_with_Service_Pack_1_64-bit_(English).exe. I believe it's an application that downloads/installs Windows for you. The only problem is that I can't open .exe files, and I think that application is the only way to download Windows 7 with the license I have. Any suggestions? Do I have to download Windows 7 on a PC then somehow transfer it to my Mac?

Thanks in advance.

Well good luck with it. Mot successful way of installing Windows is via the DVD and your MBP will not open .exe files. Was the file from Microsoft and they may suggest some way of burning to a DVD.

If it is a genuine Microsoft download, this may help:-


http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/ru...talling-windows-via-boot-camp-without-cd.html

The only problem is that I can't open .exe files, and I think that application is the only way to download Windows 7 with the license I have. Any suggestions? Do I have to download Windows 7 on a PC then somehow transfer it to my Mac?

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Yes, you'll need access to a PC. The executable will run and create an ISO which you will then burn to a DVD. Once that's done you can then proceed to install it on your Mac. I'm not sure about each license for download, but from the MS on line store there are instructions and also a bit about sending a backup DVD in the mail. Make sure you get a PID along with the file.

chscag said:

Yes, you'll need access to a PC. The executable will run and create an ISO which you will then burn to a DVD. Once that's done you can then proceed to install it on your Mac. I'm not sure about each license for download, but from the MS on line store there are instructions and also a bit about sending a backup DVD in the mail. Make sure you get a PID along with the file.

Click to expand...

Thanks for clearing things up! Can I use a USB drive instead of a DVD? Also, what's a PID?

I don't know if you can use a USB drive. Possibly. But to be safe, I would burn the image to a DVD unless for some reason you don't have an optical drive that's working.

The PID is your activation code. Should be a series of 5 groups of letters and numbers that need to be entered in order to activate Windows 7.