Bare metal installs of Windows, Linux, and VMware ESXi
Need to run OS X 10.6, Windows Server 2008/2012, Linux, or VMware ESXi? We offer over a dozen different alternative OS installations available for 2011/2012/2014 model Mac minis. This service came from many lab hours testing and developing custom system images and scripts to take full advantage of your colocated Mac mini. Remote reboot functionality is maintained, even with the CentOS, and Ubuntu LTS Linux distributions. We offer the option to wipe the default operating system from any Mac mini and to install an alternative operating system for FREE (additional licenses may be required).
2018 Mac mini OS Options
Jul 13, 2016. Acoustics measured from typical operator position sitting in front of standard Mac mini system. Acoustics may vary by configuration. PVC-free in all countries except China mainland, Korea, and South Africa. Mac mini achieved a Gold rating from EPEAT in the U.S.
We are currently working to offer alternative operating systems for the 2018 Mac minis. We will update this page as soon as more options become available.
2014 Mac mini OS Options
VMware ESXi
Are you looking to virtualize without running OS X as a host OS? We can load ESXi onto a Mac mini where you can host multiple virtual machines. We recommend loading up on memory to take full advantage of the Mac mini hardware. Contact support for any questions in regards to running VMware on a Mac mini.
Linux
Are you more comfortable in the command line? We are able to natively install CentOS 6.x / 7.x or Ubuntu Server 16.04 / 18.04 LTS on 2014 Mac minis. The installation includes the base operating system without a desktop environment. We also configure the system to automatically power up on power failure.
Windows Server 2008r2
Do you need to run a Windows server? We can load Windows Server 2008r2 with the necessary drivers to a 2014 Mac mini. Available versions include Web, Standard, and Enterprise. A license is required and will need to be entered into the OS a short period after it is placed online.
Windows Server 2012r2
Do you need to run a Windows server? We can load Windows Server 2012r2 with the necessary drivers to a 2014 Mac mini. We currently only install the Standard version of Server 2012r2. A license is required and will need to be entered into the OS a short period after it is placed online.
Mac Mini 2012 Drivers For Mac Pro
2012 Mac mini OS Options
VMware ESXi
Are you looking to virtualize without running OS X as a host OS? We can load ESXi onto a Mac mini where you can host multiple virtual machines. We recommend loading up on memory to take full advantage of the Mac mini hardware. Contact support for any questions in regards to running VMware on a Mac mini.
Linux
Get times new roman font for word for mac. Are you more comfortable in the command line? We are able to natively install CentOS 6.x / 7.x or Ubuntu Server 16.04 / 18.04 LTS on 2012 Mac minis. The installation includes the base operating system without a desktop environment. We also configure the system to automatically power up on power failure.
Windows Server 2008r2
Do you need to run a Windows server? We can load Windows Server 2008r2 with the necessary drivers to a 2012 Mac mini. Available versions include Web, Standard, and Enterprise. A license is required and will need to be entered into the OS a short period after it is placed online.
Windows Server 2012r2
Do you need to run a Windows server? We can load Windows Server 2012r2 with the necessary drivers to a 2012 Mac mini. We currently only install the Standard version of Server 2012r2. A license is required and will need to be entered into the OS a short period after it is placed online.
Mac Free
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When placing an order use the Alternative OS drop down in the configurable options section to select an alternative OS.
When you install Microsoft Windows on your Mac, Boot Camp Assistant automatically opens the Boot Camp installer, which installs the latest Windows support software (drivers). If that doesn't happen, or you experience any of the following issues while using Windows on your Mac, follow the steps in this article.
- Your Apple mouse, trackpad, or keyboard isn't working in Windows.
Force Touch isn't designed to work in Windows. - You don't hear audio from the built-in speakers of your Mac in Windows.
- The built-in microphone or camera of your Mac isn't recognized in Windows.
- One or more screen resolutions are unavailable for your display in Windows.
- You can't adjust the brightness of your built-in display in Windows.
- You have issues with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi in Windows.
- You get an alert that Apple Software Update has stopped working.
- You get a message that your PC has a driver or service that isn't ready for this version of Windows.
- Your Mac starts up to a black or blue screen after you install Windows.
Mac Mini 2012 Drivers For Mac Download
If your Mac has an AMD video card and is having graphics issues in Windows, you might need to update your AMD graphics drivers instead.
Install the latest macOS updates
Before proceeding, install the latest macOS updates, which can include updates to Boot Camp.
Format a USB flash drive
Buy Mac Computer
To install the latest Windows support software, you need a 16GB or larger USB flash drive formatted as MS-DOS (FAT).
- Start your Mac from macOS.
- Plug the USB flash drive into your Mac.
- Open Disk Utility, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
- Choose View > Show All Devices from the menu bar.
- From the sidebar in Disk Utility, select your USB flash drive. (Select the drive name, not the volume name beneath it.)
- Click the Erase button or tab.
- Choose MS-DOS (FAT) as the format and Master Boot Record as the scheme.
- Click Erase to format the drive. When done, quit Disk Utility.
Download the Windows support software
After preparing your USB flash drive, complete these steps:
- Make sure that your Mac is connected to the Internet.
- Open Boot Camp Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
- From the menu bar at the top of your screen, choose Action > Download Windows Support Software, then choose your USB flash drive as the save destination. When the download completes, quit Boot Camp Assistant.
Learn what to do if you can't download or save the Windows support software.
Install the Windows support software
After downloading the Windows support software to your flash drive, follow these steps to install the software. (If you're attempting to resolve issues with a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard, it might be easier to use a USB mouse or keyboard until these steps are complete.)
- Make sure that the USB flash drive is plugged into your Mac.
- Start up your Mac in Windows.
- From File Explorer, open the USB flash drive, then open Setup or setup.exe, which is in the WindowsSupport folder or BootCamp folder. When you're asked to allow Boot Camp to make changes to your device, click Yes.
- Click Repair to begin installation. If you get an alert that the software hasn't passed Windows Logo testing, click Continue Anyway.
- After installation completes, click Finish, then click Yes when you're asked to restart your Mac.
Learn more
If you can't download or save the Windows support software:
- If the assistant says that the Windows support software could not be saved to the selected drive, or that the USB flash drive can't be used, make sure that your USB flash drive has a storage capacity of at least 16GB and is formatted correctly.
- If the assistant doesn't see your USB flash drive, click Go Back and make sure that the drive is connected directly to the USB port on your Mac—not to a display, hub, or keyboard. Disconnect and reconnect the drive, then click Continue.
- If the assistant says that it can't download the software because of a network problem, make sure that your Mac is connected to the Internet.
- Make sure that your Mac meets the system requirements to install Windows using Boot Camp.
If a Mac feature still doesn't work after updating the Windows support software, search for your symptom on the Apple support website or Microsoft support website. Some features of your Mac aren't designed to work in Windows.