2011 MBP 15", how to install Windows 8 via USB?

I successfully got my Windows 8 installation files on a USB. I just upgraded to Mountain Lion and no longer have the option to install Windows from another source. How can I install Windows 8 off my USB? BootCamp Assistant only offers the CD option.
Best regards.

On computers which Apple shipped with an Optical drive, then the Boot Camp utility expects you to use that optical drive to install your Windows OS. Since the 2011 MBP shipped with an optical drive, the Boot Camp utility expects you to boot the Windows installer from that drive.

Similar Messages

How to install Windows without USB or DVD drive on 2009 MacBook

Problem
I have a MacBook Pro mid 2009 fitted with both an HDD and SSD.
Obviously I had to remove the DVD SuperDrive to fit in the HDD into the Optical Bay.
This is awesome big and quick storage, but you can't use it for BootCamp anymore, BootCamp Assistant says. Because it needs the optical drive for installing Windows and it won't accept it via USB.
The good thing is, that you don't need the Bootcamp Assistant for installing Windows.
So:
I have Mac Os:X Mavericks working from my SSD (which I fitted to the HDD bay for increased speed)
The HDD is installed in the former optical drive bay, with one MacOS Ext partition for Mac storage and the other one being NTFS with Windows.
Solution
The solution is a little bit tricky, needs either a virtual Windows machine or a real one and it involves removing and refitting your hard drive, but on an older MacBook Pro like 2009s that originally came with an Optical Drive there is no other way. afaik.
Step 0.5
Backup your Data
Step 1
Partitioning your desired drive
You can do this using Apples Disk Utility if you have installed either Tuxera NTFS or NTFS 3G. Or you do that in step 3 in Windows.
I'd recommend a size of at least 30 GB, Windows 7 alone takes up around 20 GB
Step 2
Remove the hard drive and connect it to a windows machine
Afaik the next step has to happen in Windows with full hardware access. If you want to use a virtual machine i.e. VM Ware or Parallels you need to connect it via USB as an external device, otherwise it won't have full access to the partitions. Obviously you can use a real Windows computer too. Still you're gonna need to remove the drive from your Mac.
Step 3
Re-format and set "active" partition state
Format desired partition with NTFS, quick format works fine. (just in case)
Open your Windows 7 Image (or Disk) and Copy the directories "Boot" and "Sources" as well as "Bootmgr" onto the partition
Make the Partition bootable:
Using Windows XP, Vista, or 7, open CMD as Admin (Windows key + R, type CMD, hit Enter)
Enter the following commands, (replace X with what applies to your hard drive):
diskpart
list disk
select disk X
list partition
select partition X
active
exit
X:\boot\bootsect.exe /nt60 X:
Exit and shut down
(Source and additional images: http://www.instructables.com/id/Install-Windows-7-without-USB-or-DVD-without-upg ra/)
(If this is somehow possible using Mac Tools, please let us know!)
Step 4
Fit the HDD back into your mac
Just that.
Step 5
Install windows
Start your Mac and immediately press and hold the alt (option) key until you can select the other drive to boot windows.
Install using advanced installation to select the same partition.
Step 6
Clean up
After the installation press cmd + r (in windows) and type and run msconfig
Click to the Boot tab.
Click 'Windows Setup (\windows)', and hit Delete.
Click OK.
Click 'Exit without restart'.
And lastly, delete the ‘Sources’ folder from your hard drive root (this will free up 2-3gb).
Final Step:
Install the Mac drivers (Get the right version here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5634 )
Recommendation: Use Winclone Pro to backup your precious installation.
On a footnote: This article was a big help to me: http://www.instructables.com/id/Install-Windows-7-without-USB-or-DVD-without-upg ra/)

Have you tried resetting the PRAM? http://gigaom.com/2011/07/26/when-to-reset-your-macs-pram-and-smc/
Which Windows version are you trying to install? If I remember right, you can't use windows 8 on these older machines.
Other than that it's hard to say what could have gone wrong. I can only suggest going through the steps again carefully and making sure everything worked the way it should.
Have a look at this article too for a slighly more verbose instruction on making a drive bootable: http://www.instructables.com/id/Install-Windows-7-without-USB-or-DVD-without-upg ra/

How to install windows from usb??

Ok i am trying to install windows on a mid 2007 macbook. in some forums it says no and in other it says you can . What i dont understand is how to install it if you do not have the option to click when you are going thru boot camp. The mac is running Lion so i dont understand why it would be a problem. Do i Have to have a physical disk????? If so thats trrible because my disk drive is broke.. I had to replace my harddrive awhile back and when I went to the apple store they loaded snow leapard thru the usb port. Any ideas?? Thx as always.

Try this and see if it works (using UNetbootin):
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/install-windows-7-from-usb-drive-requi res-2-simple-steps/
If you already have the Windows 7 ISO, it's a two step process: Install UNetbootin and Burn the ISO.
I have not personally tried this (I have the DVD), but it looks promising. And UNetbootin works for Mac too.
If you DON'T have Windows 7 ISO, and your drive doesn't work, there's not a lot you can do. You have to have an ISO to make a disk or USB install.
If you bought Windows 7 online from Microsoft, you can download an ISO version from them. If you don't already have Windows purchased, that's probably your best bet.

I have a macbook pro 13" early 2011 version and what to install windows 7 on it via bootcamp but not sure that whether to install x64 or x86 version? which one will work better

i have a macbook pro 13" early 2011 version and what to install windows 7 on it via bootcamp but not sure that whether to install x64 or x86 version? which one will work better

There is no need for anyone to use 32-bit version anymore.
Retail comes with both. Or you can save on just buying 64-bit System Builder disc.
Better support for today's hardware with larger video graphic memory and systems.
Better memory management.

How can I re-install lion via usb drive on my new mba(mid-2011)?

how can I re-install lion via usb drive on my new mba(mid-2011)?
I just removed all data from main hd, and my network is not good enough to be able to download the os via recovery hd re-installing way.
in other words, is there a bootable [mac os x lion dmg] for my mba that I can download?

If you are looking for a download link for OS X Lion, I do not know of one. However if you really need the operating system you can buy a USB drive with OS X Lion on it, ready to boot. I think they're $69 at Apple's store. What I would do is contact AppleCare via the Express Lane or just call them and tell them your situation and then they will definantly have an answer for you to point you in the right direction.
Good luck!

Macbook pro mid 2012- Wanting to know how to install windows using bootcamp

Hello everyone,
     I'am sure this question has been asked many times but this is urgent and can't really find all the necessary steps I need in my situation. I am using a MacBook pro mid 2012 I believe. I'am taking colleges courses, and need to use visual basic. Unfortuanatly visual basic is not compatible with macs. I've done a few researchs and found out installing windows 7 with bootcamp is maybe the best solution? Probleme is I have no start up disk that came with the mac, and the cd drive is broken. I do have an external hard drive I bought a few months ago.
     What exactly do I need in order to set this up? Is it still possible without a start up disk, and by using a external hard drive? How should I get windows 7? Online or buy the disk?
     If someone could either direct me to a threaded explaining a similar case? Or point out what I need, and a few important steps to follow?
I appreciate it!
Thanks
LJ.C

if your MBP has a DVD drive (even if broken), it requires that to install windows via boot camp so you have 2 options
get your dvd drive repaired, or
see if the usb boot camp hack will work for you - http://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/index.php?showtopic=51873

How do I install windows from USB on Macbook pro 3,1

How do I install windows from USB on Macbook pro 3,1 ?
My Superdrive is far from super anymore, So I managed to make an extern drive with both Snow Leopard Partition, Lion Partition (Since I thought Boot Camp 4,1 would bypass my problem), and Time Machine partition, Since I got 1. USB drive that works.
- My general issue is that Boot camp Refuse to see the USB drive - (Many "how to"´s though show how they install windows perfectly through the USB port, but they use airbooks!, and somehow the Macbook will not ?)
I fix that issue with >> rEFIt <<, that suddenly makes it possible for the Mac to see the USB drive, and partitions.
Which was very strange since I could use an extern HD with the whole installation to start up wipe the whole disk, and then use my extern drive with partitions to install Snow Leopard and get everything as before with timemachine. Very smart with timemachine, but very lucky that I have a extern drive that runs the whole system and that I made the partitionsdrive before. DVD-drives are the past!
Point: So the original system could see the Snow Leopard installation USB disk, but boot camp cannot find the USB drive ?????????
After rEFIt I booted and then I got this error:
Starting bootmgr.efi
Error: Unsupported while loading bootmgr.efi
I read it could be a problem with the Windows software, so I purchased an extern DVD drive, Used Disk Utility to make an image (.DMG), then used another program to convert the .dmg to .ISO.
Then downloaded a trialversion of vmWare fusion, and installed windows from the iso. Everything worked brilliant, except and that is why I want to use boot camp, Running windows in another program while running the mac system is a little hacky and slow.
Point: Nothing is wrong with the windows software, and windows runs fine.
I then downloaded the Windows DVD / USB Tool, reformatted a USB drive as Master Boot Partition, MS-Dos Fat partition, then after lots of struggling got Vmware, windows to recognise the USB drive. And installed the windows software on the USB drive, as all the walkthroughs recommend.
Then I tried for "fun"! to just install windows form the extern USB drive, and with rEFIt it will see the drive and start to do something, but then when it starts to boot, the screen just turns into black and nothing happens, and you can see the drive does NOTHING. (I think it is because I only have 1 USB drive and the Extern DVD drive does not get enough power, but again the mac refuse to see the USB drive unless it is a Snow Leopard installation USB-drive!
Well trying to install Windows Ultimate 64 Bit, which worked great in vmware, because that program installed from the .ISO file that I had on the desktop, but trying with Boot Camp did not get anywhere, what kind of **** program is this boot camp anyway!?, but then I try the new USB disk with windows made from windows, thorugh rEFIt, it sees the disk and then starts and then I get this ERROR:
rEFIt - Booting Legacy OS
Starting legacy loader
Using load option ´USB´
Error: Not found returned from legacy loader
Error: Not found from LocateDevicePath
(x 9 times)
Error: Load Error while (re)opening our installation volume
The firmware refused to boot from the selected volume. Note that external hard drives are not well-supported by Apple´s firmware for legacy OS booting
(Hey Apple please send out a updated firmware that fix this issue?!)
So how do I do it ? - or is the only option to fix the partition running the system from the extern disk. Format the whole drive in 2 from the "bottom" and install windows and then afterwards install Mac on the other partition ? Or just run windows on the mac and forget about mac software ? What a stupid solution...

There are strings in the pliist file to add other Macs so that you can use some USB-DVD drives.
This is 5 page thread, so a little more 'meat' to it:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3410900?start=60&tstart=0
And on PC booting Windows from a USB DVD to do the install is usually a piece of cake, sometimes you just need to specify that USB in the BIOS boot order and sometimes select via F12 (or another Fkey) and that is it.
What you have here seems to be everything and everyone is excluded unless there is a mac-model device ID string that specifies yes. An unnecessary hurdle.

How to install Windows 8.1 Pro on Macbook Pro

Hello everyone,
I'm new to these forums and new to bootcamping as well but have been reading all kinds of posts about how to install Windows 8.1 on their Macs using bootcamp. I am however having trouble with this situation as I have no clue what to do next. I have a Macbook Pro 2011, running on Maverics, and I recently downloaded a digital copy of Windows 8.1 Pro, 64-bit, for the Mac platform, along with its CD key through my University's hub website as can be seen here.
After finishing the downloading process, I received this file which is about 4GB large.
When i double click on the file this happens. It opens something on DEVICES which gives me what is on the 2nd image.
At this point, I'm at a loss on what to do next. Do i burn the file on a DVD hoping that Bootcamp will recognize it as a windows disc? Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

You need a 'Full' Installer.
From Boot Camp 5.1: Frequently asked questions - Apple Support
Which versions of Windows work with Boot Camp 5.1?
Boot Camp 5.1 supports 64-bit, non-Enterprise versions of Windows 7, Windows 8.0, and Windows 8.1. This version of Boot Camp doesn't support Windows XP, Windows Vista, or any 32-bit version of Windows. Depending on your Mac, you may be able to use an earlier version of Boot Camp to work with other versions of Windows. For details, see the Boot Camp system requirements for Microsoft Windows.
Can I perform an upgrade install from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows?
It's not possible to upgrade a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows. Back up your important files, then perform a new install of the 64-bit version of Windows.

How do I install Windows from USB?

I have a 2011 MacBook Pro. I replaced the optical drive with a second hard drive. I have tried the following methods to install Windows.
Installing from an external optical drive: I created a Windows 7 install disk. The windows installer does not start. All I see is a blinking cursor. The disk is recognized when I hold option/alt at startup, but when selected it hangs at the blinking cursor.
Installing from a flash drive: I burned the image to a USB flash drive. The windows installer does not start. The the disk is not recognized when I hold option/alt at startup.
Do I have to do something to enable USB startup? Is there another installation method available?
Thanks.

On MBPs that came with built-in Optical drives, BC Assistant modifies the NVRAM settings and sets the boot option to be the Optical drive. Removing the Optical drive breaks this logic and causes a lot of problems. Modifying the Bootcamp info.plist allows USB creation workaround, but does not allow the NVRAM modification. This is derived by BCA using the Model Identifier in System Profiler.
Your situation is similar to Need help installing Win8.1 from USB on MBP. or Unable to Install Windows 8 on secondary Hard Disk.
The only solution I know is to move the drive that needs Windows to the main SATA connector, install Windows and then move the drive back to the Optibay.
If you have two Macs, one of which have the original HW configuration, than using Winclone is another option by installing it on an "unmodified" MAC and then cloning it to the "modified" Mac.

How to install Windows 7 on a MacBook Air?

Hi everybody,
I am sorry in case this has been covered before, but i couldnt find anything searching different categgories here, so i´d appreciate some help.
I have got a late 2011 MacBook Air with lots of SSD and so on and i want to install windows 7.
I bought a wndows 7 OEM DVD (actually, two discs, one says support software)
I have tried to run bootcamp and follow the instructions, but to now end.
on my macbook air, i get the option "create a windows 7 disc" or something like that (the first option), which doesnt help me because i dont have optical drive
when i start boot camp on my iMac, this option will be greyed out.
Also, I have tried to to ISO copys of the windows DVD and save them to a USB stick but i just wouldnt come to any result.
does anybody have a good, comprehensive instruction on how to install windows 7 on an MBA withou optical drive?
Also, is 30GB OK for Win 7 if you basically dont wanna do to much in windows (no office etc, just some small clients)
thanks!

30GB is not enough, especially on an SSD. Normally 50-60GB and with SSD I'd go with 80-90GB.
http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp faq, how to, special instructions for Air
There is a program to create DVD from ISO or .exe
Apple Boot CAmp Assistant should have prompted to save a driver for you to support a USB-DVD, in addition to the normal Apple B.C. drivers you save to flash card.
Disk Utility is not a good method for burning Windows DVDs.
http://simplyburns.en.softonic.com/mac
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3241150

How to install windows 7 on Old Macbook Pro 15'inch 2.3 Core 2 Duo

How to install windows 7 on Old Macbook Pro 15'inch 2.3 Core 2 Duo:
I want to known how to install windows 7 on Old Macbook 15'inch 2.3 Core 2 Duo by using usb
I try many time, but after restart bootcamp partition, apple show blinking folder error
I think this firmware not support to install windows by usb
NOTE:
I Cannot install Apple New OSX Mountain Lion, Mavericks etc in this MAC
If I cannot install windows 7 on this MAC, so tell me what I will do with this MAC ?

I agree with the optical drive, mine acted strange, and i thought people were crazy and my drive was shot, but a simple cleaning disc worked miracles.
But- are you trying to reboot with both the USB install and the DVD install both plugged in? that would definitely cause confusion.
Do this, reboot with NOTHING plugged in. Once you hear the Mac chime, immediately press and hold option.
You should only see the Mac HD, and Recovery Partition.
THEN plug in your external DVD, and wait a min or two, you should see a disc icon appear next to the recovery partition that says something like windows. If that doesnt appear after a min or two, unplug it and put the USB stick and do the same thing. I had to do it this way on my mid 09 MBP.
Let me know if this works to start the install. If not we may have to start over with Bootcamp Assistant

I can not use my mouse or keyboard when I am trying to install windows via boot camp

Please can you help!
I can not use my mouse or keyboard when I am trying to install windows via boot camp

Starting a couple of days ago my mouse and keyboard stopped working suddenly.
How are they connected? In my case they are wireless and their receiver is plugged into my USB hub. After an update I found the OS inexplicably not recognizing my USB hub and hence any devices which were plugged into it. My fix was to
plug the receiver into a different USB port (so I could use the mouse and keyboard; otherwise I would have had to use the OSK via Touch or pen.) Once I had normal access into my machine again I used Device Manager to remove all USB controller and
hubs (including hidden ones) and I then shut down, disconnected all USB devices and powered back up, this time using only Touch to get going. Once the OS had settled down I started plugging stuff back in the way that I wanted it to be recognized.
If I didn't have Touch I would have had to have left the wireless receiver plugged in both places which I assume would be OK. I have no idea why updates have such a catastrophic effect for USB devices.
Robert Aldwinckle

How to install Windows on MAC? (Can't see the check box "Install or remove Windows 7 or later version" on Boot Camp Assistant)

I want to install Windows 7 on my MBP mid 2012 but in Boot Camp does not appear the check box: "Install or remove Windows 7 or later version". I continued with making the USB bootable with Windows 7 but then when I restart and boot with the USB I still can't install Windows because then I receive an error: ""Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk is of GPT partition style."
From OS with Boot Camp I didn't manage to make a partition for Windows instead I made one with Disk Utility (formated FAT).
After booting from USB that partition was also formated into NTFS necessary for Windows. Still the same error.
Any idea how to install Windows on my MAC?

My Windows copy is a X64.
MBP mid 2012 with Mountain Lion 10.8.3.
Model Identifier:          MacBookPro9,2
Processor Name:          Intel Core i5
Processor Speed:          2.5 GHz
Number of Processors:          1
Total Number of Cores:          2
L2 Cache (per Core):          256 KB
L3 Cache:          3 MB
Memory:          4 GB
Boot ROM Version:          MBP91.00D3.B08
SMC Version (system):          2.2f41
Should have:
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
MacBookPro9,2
MBP91.00D3.B08 (EFI 2.9)
If you are refering to this I tried to update the EFI version (I see only SMC version 2.9 as a diferrence of what I have) but on installing I received an error: "This software is not supported on your system."

How to Install Windows 7 Without the Disc

1a) Here is very useful article from PCWorld.com. The article is entitled "How to Install Windows 7 Without the Disc" and means just what it says. The article also has links to Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder and legitimate Windows 7 ISOs from Digital River, a licensed distributor of Microsoft software. The article lists "Step 1" as;
"Find your Windows 7 product key: Typically this 25-character alphanumeric string is printed on a sticker affixed to your PC or on documentation included with your PC. Alternatively, you can use a keyfinder program such as Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder to pull your product key from the Registry. You need your product key to reinstall Windows."
1b) Using a key finder, however, is only useful if the Windows 7 product key was printed on a sticker (Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity) affixed to your PC, on documentation included with your PC, or sent via email by Microsoft. Assuming your computer came from one of the big brand computer manufacturers... HP, Sony, Dell, Gateway, etc... as most do, it uses a generic "mass activation" OEM SLP key. Trying to use this key by itself isn't going to work. This OEM SLP key needs to be mated with an OEM SLP certificate and an appropriate OEM BIOS with a proper SLIC table.
1c) Here is where ABR Beta With Windows 7 Support comes to the rescue. Follow the "How to use it" section of ABR for Windows Vista for information and instructions on how to use ABR. The steps listed for Vista apply to Windows 7 as well. Perform the "activation backup" to "backup" and save the OEM SLP key and OEM SLP certificate. Save the entire ABR folder to an external location for later use. This will allow you to pre-activate your "clean" Windows 7 install on the computer you pulled the key and certificate from.
1d) Now install Windows 7 from your new "Windows 7" disc or USB stick, following all prompts as needed. Don't enter a Windows 7 product key if request. Also, don't allow Windows to try to auto-activate. Once Windows is fully installed, run ABR "activation restore" to "restore" the previously backed up product key and certificate to the new Windows 7 install. Verify that Windows is activated, repeat "activation restore" if needed.
2) Here is another useful article, this time from SevenForums.com. This arcticle is entitled "Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7" and provides detailed steps required to backup your computer, audit current hardware and software, locate software and drivers, install and activate Windows 7, and create a Windows 7 Backup Image of your fresh install.
Good luck.
Links to additional Windows 7 SP1 "Editions" and "Languages" can be found HERE and HERE.
Link to "ei.cfg Removal Utility". The "ei.cfg Removal Utility" is a simple tool that will remove the ei.cfg from any Windows ISO disc image, thereby converting the image into a "universal disc" that will prompt the user to select an edition during setup instead of being forced to use different discs for different versions of Windows 7.
Direct link to Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool.
<Cross posted to Notebook Operating Systems and Software for Notebook, Laptop, and Netbook users>
EDITED by Frank on 8/28/2013
Please click the white KUDOS star to show your appreciation
Frank
{------------ Please click the "White Kudos" Thumbs Up to say THANKS for helping.
Please click the "Accept As Solution" on my post, if my assistance has solved your issue. ------------V
This is a user supported forum. I am a volunteer and I don't work for HP.
HP 15t-j100 (on loan from HP)
HP 13 Split x2 (on loan from HP)
HP Slate8 Pro (on loan from HP)
HP a1632x - Windows 7, 4GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450
HP p6130y - Windows 7, 8GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450
HP p6320y - Windows 7, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GT 240
HP p7-1026 - Windows 7, 6GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450
HP p6787c - Windows 7, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GT 240

ervis,
Before formatting the hard drive you should have been able to use the HP Recovery Manager to create your recovery discs or perform a system recovery. This is provided the recovery partition wasn't already corrupt or damaged. If the "D:" HP Recovery partition is missing or damaged and you don't have a set of HP Recovery Discs, you will need to use the information in my previous post to get your computer up and running again.
The information in the document referred you to applies to several different "types" of installations;
Using ABRbeta is only needed if you have an active OEM factory SLP (system locked preactivated) installation of Windows. You use ABR to pull the factory key and certificate off the computer, to reuse it on the same computer with a clean Windows install.
If you are just installing Windows and are going to use the Windows 7 product key on the COA on the side of your computer, all you need to do is download the same version of Windows that your key is for and burn the ISO. Now install Windows answering or following all prompts as needed (except do not enter the Windows product at this time... it will be entered later). Once Windows has completely installed, enter the key and activate it. Your Windows 7 OA key should work on a SP1 install without issue.
The only thing I see that could mess things up, is the language of the install. If you are still having trouble activating Windows, please reference the ISO you download and a post a photo of your Windows COA
with the key erased or Xed out.
Please send KUDOs
Frank
{------------ Please click the "White Kudos" Thumbs Up to say THANKS for helping.
Please click the "Accept As Solution" on my post, if my assistance has solved your issue. ------------V
This is a user supported forum. I am a volunteer and I don't work for HP.
HP 15t-j100 (on loan from HP)
HP 13 Split x2 (on loan from HP)
HP Slate8 Pro (on loan from HP)
HP a1632x - Windows 7, 4GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450
HP p6130y - Windows 7, 8GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450
HP p6320y - Windows 7, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GT 240
HP p7-1026 - Windows 7, 6GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450
HP p6787c - Windows 7, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GT 240

How to Install Windows 7 or 8 to Imac if you have never owned these OS's before?

Hi Guys / Girls.
I hope someone can help me.
I recently bought a new Imac (no optical drive). My OS is Mountain Lion.
I have seen many topics / videos on how to install Windows 7 or Windows 8 on my Imac, however I have a problem!
I don't own a copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.
Where can I buy and download it legally?
I tried the Microsoft website, but I can't find windows 7?
The download for Windows 8 is only an upgrade if you already have Windows 7.
Is there a way that I can buy and download the full version of Windows 8 without Windows 7?
Or can I download Windows 7 from somewhere?
The other option I have is I have an old Windows XP installation disc.
Can I some how bump this up to Windows 8 and then use bootcamp to install to my Mac?
I'm not sure which will be the best way to install the new Windows 8 to my Imac.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Well, a lot of questions here.
The reason you cannot download Windows 7 from Microsoft is that they discontinued it as a download in December 2012.
There are places you can download Windows 7 but probably not 100% legal - so I won't say anything more about these. However, you can still buy genuine versions via Amazon.
As you say, a full (non-upgrade) version of Windows 8 (actually 8.1 now) is not available from Microsoft as a download. Even if it was, it would be $200+
I suspect that your most economical option is to invest in a cheap USB CD/DVD drive to connect to your iMac and install XP under Boot Camp to see if you like the way it works. You could then decide if you want to upgrade.
You can upgrade to Windows 8.1 (about $120 for upgrade) from XP either by download or buying the upgrade discs - cost will be similar and if you already have the drive, then it will be straightforward installation. Again, copies available via Amazon.

2011 MBP 15", how to install Windows 8 via USB?

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