Yes it can be done, but they don’t make it easy.
There is no reason your Mac Pro can’t run it, but Bootcamp won’t let you boot a windows install disc (USB is right out) beyond Windows 7. Why? Because they’re dicks and want to sell you a new machine.
The long and short of it is that you’re going to have to modify your install media. You extract your iso, run a file, and then burn the modified iso. This will let you install. This blog describes it in detail, though I believe he has his folders switched in the command he gives.
In case that site vaporizes (with corrected instructions):
- Create three folders on a Windows machine. The folders should be
- C:\Win7exe
- C:\Win7iso
- C:\Win7dvd
- If you have an iso image of windows you need to extract it and place the files in the folder C:\Win7dvd. If you are unsure how to extract the files from the iso image you can use 7-Zip. It works quite well.
- Download the file oscdimg.exe and place it in C:\Win7exe. (From here zipped)
- Shell out to a dos window (Start – search – cmd).
- Type: cd c:\Win7exe
- Type: oscdimg -n -m -bc:\Win7dvd\boot\etfsboot.com c:\Win7dvd c:\Win7iso\win7x64.iso
When you’re done with that, you might want to convert your server to workstation. Be aware that getting regular software to install can be a challenge.