Apple addresses issues with Windows 7 installations via Boot Camp

Jan 20, 2010 08:43 GMT  ·  By

Apple’s Downloads area is currently featuring several different updates, most of which address compatibility issues with Windows 7 guests in Boot Camp, including some computer-specific problems. All updates are free of charge and can be obtained not only from Apple, but also from Softpedia, right on this page.

Before any other software update, Apple posted a program called “Boot Camp Utility for Windows 7 Upgrade.” It is required before upgrading from Vista to Windows 7. It safely unmounts the read-only Macintosh volume on Microsoft Vista, according to Apple. A Support article is available for those eager to learn more.

As a Mac Pro or iMac user, as soon as you’re done with the “Boot Camp Utility for Windows 7 Upgrade,” you should install the new Graphics Firmware Update 1.0 (iMac and Mac Pro) for compatibility with Windows 7, Apple claims. “Download and install the Graphics Firmware Update 1.0 if you run Windows 7 using Boot Camp on your iMac (with NVIDIA GeForce 7300 or 7600 GT) or Mac Pro (with NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT or Quadro FX 4500) computer,” the company instructs customers.

iMac owners have a third update to apply, should they want to have a good Windows 7 experience with Boot Camp. Posted alongside the two aforementioned updates, iMac Late 2009 Windows 7 Drivers is a free download that contains “the necessary drivers to implement Windows 7 on the iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) and iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) computers,” according to Apple.

“Download the Windows 7 Installation Enabler, which contains the required drivers for the iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) and iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) computers. Copy them to a[n] MS-DOS-formatted USB storage device, insert that into a USB slot on the computer, then install Windows 7,” the instructions go. Users must first agree to the SLA agreement before downloading or using this update, Apple reveals.

Lastly, two Boot Camp software updates (version 3.1) are available for Windows 32-bit and 64-bit installations, respectively. The updates not only add support for Microsoft Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate), but also address issues with the Apple trackpad, turn off the red digital audio port LED (typical to MacBooks) when it is not being used, and support Apple’s wireless peripherals, including the all-new Magic Mouse. Apple outlines that this particular update is “highly recommended” for all users of Boot Camp 3.0. Download Boot Camp Utility for Windows 7 Upgrade Download Graphics Firmware Update 1.0 (iMac and Mac Pro) compatibility with Windows 7 Download iMac Late 2009 Windows 7 Drivers Download Boot Camp Software Update 3.1 for Windows 32-bit Download Boot Camp Software Update 3.1 for Windows 64-bit