Ever wondered if you could dual boot macOS and Windows on the same hard drive disk? With a Hackintosh, you can. While it’s typically better to have macOS on one drive and Windows on another, it’s possible to dual boot both operating systems on the same drive. The dual-boot option is ideal for those who don’t have multiple drives on hand.
- Upon launch, Clover Configurator will check to see if there are already available configuration files, and enables you to view their content. In addition, Clover Configurator can check for the latest Clover EFI revision, and helps you download and install the bootloader.
- How to Dual Boot Windows 10 and MacOS High Sierra on a Hackintosh The first step in the process is to format the drive as GUID. To do this, you’ll need to use the Disk Utility application, which is the macOS equivalent of Disk Management in Windows.
It will appear as EFI on EFI, Install macOS High Sierra (disk.s1) Quit Clover Configurator and copy the entire EFI folder from the Utility and Kext Pack to the EFI partition of your USB, replacing the existing folder if present. The EFI partition on your USB should now contain a single folder named EFI that contains two folders: BOOT and CLOVER. VoodooHDA is an open source audio driver for devices compliant with the Intel High Definition Audio specification. It is intended as a replacement for AppleHDA on Mac OS X with support for a wide range of audio controllers and codecs.
How to Dual Boot Windows 10 and MacOS High Sierra on a Hackintosh
The first step in the process is to format the drive as GUID. To do this, you’ll need to use the Disk Utility application, which is the macOS equivalent of Disk Management in Windows.
Disk Utility can be accessed during the install or from within the operating system after the installation is complete.
There’s a very good reason for formatting the disc in the GUID format first. For starters, you’ll need this format to install macOS. But formatting with the Disk Utility will allow you to create a larger hidden EFI partition compared to what you would create with Windows Disk Management (200MB with GUID vs. 100MB with Windows). That extra space will allow you to fit both operating systems with room to spare.
The Windows partition can be created either during the install or after the install. If you want the Windows partition to show up first, then you would want to create the partition during the install. If you want the macOS partition to show up first, then you can create the partition after the installation is completed.
In this guide, we’re going to install the Windows partition second. It’s a simpler, more straightforward way to get your dual-boot Hackintosh up and running.
Once you’ve formatted the drive as GUID, you can move on to the next step.
Access to macOS
After formatting the drive, the next step is to create a macOS flash drive installer. To do this, you’ll either need access to a Mac, or access to a virtual machine that runs macOS.
If you can’t get access to a Mac machine, you can create a virtual machine running macOS.
Creating the Flash Drive Installer
Once you have access to the macOS operating system, you can create the flash drive installer and start the installation process. Keep in mind that you’ll need to wipe the drive before you can format as GUID. And keep the flash drive installer, as you’ll need it later on.
Here’s a quick rundown of how to create the installer.
Download macOS
Open the app store, login with your Apple ID, and download High Sierra.
Format the USB
Insert the flash drive and open Disk Utility. Select the flash drive from the left column, and click erase. Adjust to the following settings:
- Name: Hackintosh
- Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
- Scheme: GUID Partition Map
Next, click “Erase” and then “Done.” Feel free to change the name to whatever you wish. The Partition Map scheme will allow for am EFI partition to be created.
Create the Installer
Open Terminal and paste the following code:
- Press enter.
- Type in your password.
- Press Y when asked to erase.
- Press enter again.
Don’t remove your flash drive until the process is complete. It can take up to 60 minutes (maybe more) to copy the installer files into the USB drive.
Installing MacOS
You should now be able to install macOS High Sierra to your drive. The process will take some time to complete, depending on the type of processor you have.
Your system should restart after the installation process is completed.
Also, you’ll have to go through a few prompts before your machine will be ready to use macOS.
- Choose your Country, and click the “Continue” button.
- Enable Location Services, and click “Continue.”
- Sign in with your Apple ID, or choose “Don’t Sign In” and click “Continue.”
- Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
- Fill out the form, which asks for your Full Name, Account Name, Password and a Password Hint.
- Set your Time Zone based on your location.
- Choose “Continue” to create a user for your macOS.
Now, you’ll need to wait while the system sets up your macOS. This may take a while, so be patient.
Create the Windows Partition
Now that you have macOS installed, it’s time to install Windows 10.
- Open Disk Utility.
- Click the View button at the top left corner of the application and select “Show All Devices.”
- Select the drive.
- Click Partition at the top of the toolbar.
- Click “+” under the circle to add a new partition.
- Give the partition a name and choose your desired size (we recommend a minimum of 50GB).
- Set the Format to ExFat.
- Click Apply.
Install Windows 10 on Your Hackintosh
Just like with macOS, you’ll need either access to Windows or to create a USB flash drive with the operating system on it. Do not wipe out the drive with macOS on it, as you’ll still need it to regain access to macOS. You will need a separate flash drive for this step.
To create the installer:
- Download Windows Installer Manager.
- Create the installer.
Next:
- Boot the “UEFI: partition” of the Windows installer. If you don’t boot the “UEFI: partition” of the flash drive, you will get an error and won’t be able to move on to the next step.
- Move through the first parts of the installation.
- When possible, choose “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).”
- Choose the Windows partition you created in Disk Utility.
- Choose Format.
- Click OK.
- Complete the installation process.
Keep in mind that the system will restart several times during installation.
EFI Cleanup and Clover Access
After installing Windows, it’s time to move back to macOS. For this step, you will need the macOS flash installer you created earlier.
Right now, we can’t boot macOS because the Windows installer modified the EFI folder, which overrides the Clover boot loader with Windows Boot Manager. This causes the UEFI: (drive_name) to disappear from the BIOS boot devices.
In order to get things up and running smoothly, you’ll need to make some changes to the “bootmgfw.efi” file. This is the file that’s preventing access to Clover when booting the system. A simple file name change is all that’s needed to fix the problem.
- Boot the “UEFI: partition” of the macOS Installer.
- Boot macOS drive.
- Open the Clover Configurator.
- Select “Mount EFI” from the left column.
- Choose “Mount Partition” for your drive.
- Select “Open Partition.”
- Go to EFI/Microsoft/Boot/.
- Rename the “bootmgfw.efi” file to “bootmgfw-orig.efi.”
When you restart, “UEFI: (drive_name)” should now be accessible.
If “UEFI: (drive_name)” is still not showing up as an available boot device, you can override the Windows Boot Manager and redirect it to Clover.
- Boot macOS off of your drive again.
- Mount the EFI partition of the boot drive using Clover Configuration.
- Open the EFI.
- Navigate to EFI/Boot.
- Copy the file BOOTX64.efi.
- Navigate to EFI/Windows/Boot.
- Past BOOTX64.efi here.
- Rename BOOTX64.efi to bootmgfw.efi.
- Restart and boot off the Windows Boot Manager. It should redirect to Clover.
Dual Boot Using Clover
You should now be able to dual-boot using the Clover Menu. To boot Windows, simply select Boot Windows EFI from EFI in Clover.
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Want to install High Sierra on a Hackintosh and have no idea how to even get started? Well, sit down with a cup of coffee and read through our guide. We’ll walk you through a fresh install of the macOS, High Sierra operating system afterwards.
Clover Configurator High Sierra
You’ll need a few things before going through this guide on top of a computer that can obviously be made into a Hackintosh.
New to hackintosh, learn more in our what is a hackintosh? guide.
Software and Tools You’ll Need to Get Started
Before we get started, you’ll need to sign up for tonymacx86. You need to have an account so that you can download some of the software and tools that you’ll need to get started. Primarily, you’ll be looking at UniBeast and MultiBeast.
We cover UniBeast really well, so I suggest looking through our UniBeast Guide , too.
You may also want to:
- Download macOS High Sierra (more on that below)
- (Optional) Download Clover Configurator
If you look through other guides, they almost always recommend creating a complete backup of your existing operating system. I recommend the same, or opt to install the operating system on a hard drive that is empty already.
Clover Configurator High Sierra 10.13.6
Why Do You Need UniBeast?
I’m not going to go into all of the details on why you’ll need UniBeast or any other tools mentioned, but it will help create the bootable installer needed for your desired version of macOS.
Download macOS High Sierra to Get Started
You’ll need to have macOS High Sierra to get started with your install, and what’s nice is that this operating system is available for anyone that has an install of:
- Lion
- Snow Leopard
- Mountain Lion
- Mavericks
- El Capitan
- Yosemite
- Sierra
Download the operating system officially is always ideal, and this will allow you to download the absolute latest version of High Sierra. You’ll need to have your Apple ID ready, and once you do, navigate to the Mac App Store.
You’ll want to search for macOS High Sierra and download it.
Now, you’ll need to note that the download will appear in /Applications, and the name will be “Install macOS High Sierra.” Remember this because you’ll need to be able to copy this over to a USB drive. I recommend 16 GB or higher for your USB drive so that you can be sure there’s more than enough space available.
Setting up Your USB Drive
Now we must create a bootable USB drive. This is the drive that you’ll be using to force the install of the operating system at boot. Don’t worry too much because this is a rather simple process, and you just need to follow the directions to make sure everything runs smoothly.
You’ll want to insert your USB drive into your system and follow these few steps:
- Open Disk Utility, found at /Applications/Utilities/
- Highlight your USB drive (left side of the screen)
- Tap Erase
A prompt will appear, and It’s important that you add in all of these fields properly. You can rename things later if you like, but the settings should be:
- Name: USB
- Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Now, click on Erase then hit Done.
You’ve now cleared off your USB drive and successfully.
It’s now time to use UniBeast to create a bootable version of High Sierra. You should have downloaded it already, so run UniBeast and work through these steps to get started:
- Press Continue a bunch of times and Agree
- When you reach the Destination Select option, choose USB
- Select High Sierra when you’re on the Select OS Installation screen
- Continue to the Bootloader Options
- Choose Legacy Boot or UEFI Boot Made, which is recommended.
Note: Some systems will require the Legacy Boot, and this would be 5/6 Series CustoMac and all systems that have BIOS. You’ll want to do some research on your own to see if your motherboard will support UEFI Boot Mode because it is the desired option.
You’ll then want to go through with the rest of the options, which includes an optional graphics configuration. I recommend choosing the appropriate setting here, as it will make the rest of the installation easier.
You’ll need to verify all of the settings before entering your password and clicking on Install.
Download MultiBeast if you haven’t already and drag it to your completed USB drive. Clover will allow for more customization if needed, but for now, MultiBeast should work just fine.
Choosing All of the Right BIOS Settings
You’ll need to spend some time in your BIOS settings getting everything just right. Options will be different for AMI UEFI BIOS, but when dealing with other systems, you’ll also have to adjust your setup.
You can do this by:
- Holding Delete while the system boots up
- Load the Optimized Defaults
- Disable VT-d if the CPU supports it
- Disable CFG-Lock if available
- Disable Secure Boot Mode if available
- Disable IO Serial Port if available
- Disabled USB 3.0 for 6 series or x58 systems
- Set your OS type to Other OS
- Enable XHCI Handoff
You’re almost ready to install macOS High Sierra. You just need to start your computer with the USB inserted. When it’s starting up, you’ll want to hit one of the following buttons to be able to choose which device you want to boot:
- F8 – ASUS
- F11 – ASrock
- F12 – Gigabyte
Choose USB and then you should find yourself at the Clover boot screen. When you reach this screen, you’ll want to choose the Boot OS Install from Install macOS High Sierra.
Choose your desired language when at the installer.
Now, the destination drive where the new install will take place will need to be erased and formatted. This will wipe out the entirety of the drive, and this means all of your files and documents will be lost.
You’ll notice a top menu bar, and it’s this bar where you’ll be navigating to so that you can erase and format your drive. Choose Utilities and then open up your Disk Utility. You’ll need to be able to choose your target drive from the left column. This will be the drive that you want to install High Sierra on.
Now, follow these steps:
- Click Erase
- Put High Sierra for the Name
- Choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the format
- Click Erase one last time
The installer will eventually ask you where you want to install, and you’ll now choose the name High Sierra. This will allow you to go through the entire install where the computer will be restarted on its own.
Use MultiBeast to Start Setting Things Up Properly
MultiBeast, which you should have copied to your USB drive earlier, is now going to help us get everything up and running. You’ve successfully created a copy of High Sierra and put it on the drive, but you’ll need to load it from your USB drive the same way that you did previously.
What you’ll want to do is boot from High Sierra.
Complete the setup and then open up MultiBeast so that we can get a few key features up and running:
- Audio
- Graphics
- Network
Click Quick Start within MultiBeast and then choose the type of boot mode preferred. The ideal situation is to choose UEFI Boot Mode, but you may need to choose Legacy Boot on older systems.
You’ll then be taken into the audio and network options for your system.
Every system is different, so I won’t be able to tell you exactly what settings you’ll want to choose here. You’ll need to determine which audio and network settings are right for you, and once done, click Customize.
The customize section allows for further options to be chosen in MultiBeast.
You’ll then be able to print and save your backup configuration. If for some reason your new options make the operating system unstable, this backup of your configuration will help save you from a lot of issues.
Click Build and then Install.
There’s a chance that your graphics card may have issues, and in this case, you’re going to need to search around for alternative drivers. Reboot your system and cross your fingers.
When the system does finally restart, you should be in your new High Sierra environment. This is if you’ve done everything properly. There’s a chance that something happened along the way, and if this is the case, you’ll want to seek help from users on forums that may have had the same issues.
Plan to sit down and hack your way through various settings until you have your system up and running as close to 100% as possible.
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