macOS 10.12.5 Enables Windows 10 Creators Update Media-Free Installation

Apple has issued another software update for its Mac devices. The new macOS 10.12.5 update addresses certain bugs found in the previous version of the operating system and lays the groundwork for future updates that the Cupertino giant is rolling out in the coming months.

The release notes that came with macOS 10.12.5 is rather short, but the software update actually comes with very practical changes. For instance, the new update enables media-free installation of Windows 10 Creators Update using Boot Camp. Previously, Mac devices did not have support for clean installs of the Creators Update, which Microsoft released last month. Thus, Mac owners had to manually install the Windows 10 Anniversary Update first before they could upgrade to the Creators Update, as per Neowin.

The “media-free installation” mentioned in the release notes refers to the fact that users do not need to create installation media like a USB disk image before installing the Windows 10 Creators Update anymore. Apple has since made changes to its support page to indicate that Microsoft’s Creators Update is only available “on supported Mac models that have macOS Sierra or later” versions of the OS. The updated support page also states that “if you have an earlier release of Windows 10, you can install it on a Mac with OS X Yosemite or later.”

READ: Apple rolls out iOS 10.3.2 for iPhones, iPads

While there were no additions, bug fixes and changes discovered during the beta testing of macOS Sierra 10.12.5, the final version came with bug fixes and enhancements, as pointed out by MacRumors. The new update fixes the audio problem that persisted when Mac owners used USB headphones with their computers. Another entry in the release notes mentions the improved compatibility of the Mac App Store with the upcoming software updates. The tech giant did not indicate what this enhanced compatibility comes with, but it is expected to lay the groundwork for the new version of macOS that will be launched during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference this June.

Check out the full release notes below:

• Fixes an issue where audio may stutter when played through USB headphones
• Enhances compatibility of the Mac App Store with future software updates
• Adds support for media-free installation of Windows 10 Creators Update using Boot Camp
• Adds support for more digital camera RAW formats.
• Resolves an issue, affecting some enterprise and education customers, that may cause the system date to be set to the year 2040.
• Prevents a potential kernel panic when starting up from a NetInstall image. This fix is available when starting up from a NetInstall image created from the macOS 10.12.5 installer.

This week’s macOS 10.12.5 update is the fifth major update that Tim Cook’s company released since the Sierra OS was formally introduced in September last year. It is now available for download from the Mac App Store, and it is expected to show up on the macOS downloads page anytime soon. Meanwhile, Apple has also rolled out update 2017-002 for older macOS versions Yosemite and El Capitan, Ars Technica has learned.