Bootcamp partition with Windows 7 no longer recognisable

I actually had this thread bookmarked here, you have referenced it many times while trying to fix this problem from other users. While I was waiting for replies I ran that tool and took many screenshots from its results, would be okay if I posted them here? They were done before you posted here though, so that was before making the Windows partition active. I'm not entirely sure if it will be different, but I can run this tool again if you want.

I see, it looks complicated, but let's give it a try. I am fine with reinstalling Windows 7 as long as my files are intact, or perhaps at least find a way to recover and save some of my files before anything more serious happens to this partition.

Please let me know what I should do next.

Could you please rebuild the list of steps I need to take for each GPT and MBR instructions for me? Now I am unsure how to proceed the next steps with those changes, and I want to make sure I won't do anything wrong here. 😅

Finished all steps and reboot my Mac as instructed. The Windows partition still doesn't work, it gives the message 'Missing Operating System' and the screen gets stuck. Checking Disk Utility, there are no differences from before.

Is there something else that can be done?

Unfortunately I don't have any backup of my non-OS files. Could you please instruct me on how to use PhotoRec?

And even though you don't have specific recommendation, in case PhotoRec doesn't work, could you list some of them even though they are commercial? I am willing to use it if it means I can recover my important files. But for now let's try using PhotoRec and hope it works.

Thanks. I will try using PhotoRec first and see if I can manage to get my most important files from it.

It's really unfortunate that it has come to this. Once I'm done recovering my files, am I allowed to delete this faulty partition and start over again? And as you said before in this thread, if I ever have to update my macOS to Mojave or Catalina and this problem happens again, I should never downgrade my macOS, correct? If it weren't for that, then the Recovery HD wouldn't mess up with the Windows partition.

Also let me thank you for assisting me through all this ordeal. From now on I will start making backups of literally everything. 😖

Hello once again. I recovered some of my files using those tools and I'm ready to install Windows. However I got some new questions about upgrading systems and I wanted to ask first before I start anything here.

I have been thinking about installing Windows 10 this time, since it has actual support and updated drivers. If I were to install W10 would it be advisable to upgrade my macOS to Mojave or Catalina? If I install it with my current macOS High Sierra and I update it to either of these systems, could it mess up with my Windows partition again?

And just in case; if I stick to Windows 7 anyway, I can only install it with High Sierra, correct? And since it's been said that new macOS carry on old W7 installations, what precautions should I take so it wouldn't mess up with my partition again?

Hello again. I was about to install Windows right now and a new problem has emerged.

I decided to stay on Windows 7, so I used the Boot Camp Assistant to create a W7 USB flash drive, download the necessary software and drivers, and make a new partition.

The problem now lies on the partition step. When it ask me to pick a size for the new partition, it won't let me move the slider, the only option it gives me are 40GB and -8GB size. Clicking on 'Divide Equally' does nothing. I couldn't find any definitive solution for this so I decided to ask here again. I can provide screenshots/logs if necessary.

Sure, no problem. 😄 I will gladly follow any instructions to fix this partition.

Sure, here:

Alright, here are the screenshots from the Quick Search:

I have screenshots from other partitions but I'm not sure if they are relevant or not, but if you need it I can upload them here.

Ok, do I need to press 'p' on that entry again? It gives me a short list of files which was screenshot'd above, unless I misunderstood your post.

Thank you! I will give it a try right now and tell you the results soon.

After step 9 from Rebuild MBR instructions I got the following message:

Unused partition space(s) found. Use one to protect more partitions? (Y/N):

What should I answer here?