Stuck during "Getting Windows Ready" for Windows 10 installation process

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Stuck during "Getting Windows Ready" for Windows 10 installation process

I am attempting to install Windows 10 using Boot Camp Assistant on a Macbook Pro Retina (late 2013). I am using the latest Windows ISO, but when I install it runs through initial installation steps ( asking for language, license key, product version) and then restarts. It then says "getting devices ready." Once it finishes that it says "Getting Windows Ready." After some time the progress loop freezes. It stays like this for hours, and the only way for me to get the computer to do anything else is to restart (which screws up the whole installation process). I have tried this several times to no avail. Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong and how to fix it?

MacBook

Posted on Jan 3, 2021 4:34 PM

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Answer 1

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Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

Jan 3, 2021 9:30 PM in response to Protector_Owl

See https://beetstech.com/blog/apple-proprietary-ssd-ultimate-guide-to-specs-and-upgrades for reference.

The firmware and drivers coordinate IO. If there are errors that are not handled correctly, data may be lost, and you may never know. You may also get spurious errors. On a 256Gb SSD, split the SSD in half, and install Windows on one of the partitions.

For the 512Gb 2015 SSD, you can always sell it on eBay with very specific model information. You should be ale to get your money back. The 2015 SSDs are bit 'faster'. You can also continue to look for a 512Gb or a 1Tb SSD for your specific 2013 model.

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Answer 2

Jan 3, 2021 6:25 PM in response to Loner T

They are different models, yes. The one on the left is from a 2015 Macbook Pro, where my original was from the 2013 Macbook Pro I am using. Does Bootcamp require the exact same model of SSD? And if it does, is there any other way to make it work? (ie cloning my old hard drive on to the new one)

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Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

Jan 3, 2021 8:27 PM in response to Protector_Owl

The driver used on each model is specific to the SSDs expected on that model. My recommendation is to re-install the 2013 SSD into the 2013 model and then install Windows.

What is the size of each SSD - the 2013 and 2015 models?

Cloning may work, but you may see unpredictable errors with the 2015 SSD. Is it possible for you find a larger SSD (if that is what you need) from a 2013 Mac model, which is the same as yours?

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Answer 4

Jan 3, 2021 8:45 PM in response to Loner T

The 2013 is 256 gigs, and the 2015 is 512. It might be possible to find a larger 2013 SSD, it's just inconvenient since I bought the 512 off of Ebay and am unable to return it. Also the 2013 is an older part, so it's naturally harder to find. Can I ask what you mean by unpredictable errors?

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Answer 5

Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

Jan 3, 2021 5:00 PM in response to Protector_Owl

Have you replaced any hardware on this Mac with non-Apple hardware?

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Answer 6

Jan 3, 2021 5:08 PM in response to Loner T

I replaced the hard drive (that's why I'm partitioning), but the new one is also Apple hardware (recovered from a different laptop), I just replaced it because I wanted more space.

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Answer 7

Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

Jan 3, 2021 5:28 PM in response to Protector_Owl

Are the SSD models - old and new - the same? If they are not, it will not work properly.

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Stuck during "Getting Windows Ready" for Windows 10 installation process

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