How to Set a Default Operating System on Mac (Mac OS)
Start Your Mac in macOS or Windows Using Boot Camp
After using Boot Camp Assistant to install Windows on an Intel-based Mac, you can set the default operating system to either macOS or Windows. The default operating system is the one you want to use when you start up or restart your Mac.
Set the Default Operating System from Windows
- In Windows on your Mac, click
on the right side of the taskbar, click the Boot Camp icon 
, then choose Boot Camp Control Panel. - If a User Account Control dialog appears, click Yes.
- Select the startup disk that contains the default operating system you want to use.
- If you want to start up with the default operating system now, click Restart. Otherwise, click “OK”.
You cannot change the startup volume to an external drive while using Windows.
To learn how to change the default operating system using macOS, see Get started with Boot Camp Assistant.
Start macOS from Windows
In Windows on your Mac, do one of the following:
- Restart using Startup Manager: Restart your Mac, then immediately hold down the Option key. When the Startup Manager window appears, release the Option key, select the macOS startup disk, then press Return.If you are using a Mac notebook with an external keyboard, make sure you hold down the Option key on the built-in keyboard.
- Restart using Boot Camp Control Panel: Click on the right side of the taskbar, click the Boot Camp icon , then choose Restart in macOS.This also sets the default operating system to macOS.
For more information about restarting in macOS, see the Apple support article Restart your Mac in macOS or Windows.
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