Bootcamp doesn’t restart into windows installer

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Level 1

8 points

Bootcamp doesn’t restart into windows installer

I’ve been trying to install a bootcamp partition for years but never with success. I get through all the installation steps with a USB but when it completes it restarts regularly and not into the windows partition for windows installation. I don’t know what the issue could be I’ve checked the USB, and it’s format is exfat with 64G of space. My Mac has more than 64gb of space as well. The bootcamp partition shows up in disk utility but not on disk startup.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Feb 17, 2021 2:07 PM

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Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 20, 2021 1:06 PM in response to Syldei

You need a USB2 Flash drive. Try a different brand. USB should be 16GB, but larger 32Gb USBs should also work. 64GB can be a bit tricky.

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Answer 2

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 20, 2021 11:48 AM in response to Syldei

It is possible that other sizes of the same brand work, but if you do not see it, you may want to try a different USB2 device. You can also try to run a SMC and NVRAM Reset and test this device again.

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Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 17, 2021 4:51 PM in response to Syldei

Are you using a USB2 Flash drive? USB3 storage will not work.

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Answer 4

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 18, 2021 7:45 AM in response to Syldei

Connect the USB flash drive to the Mac, in About This Mac -> System Report -> USB -> [Your flash drive], check the speed. it should be 480Mbps for the USB to work properly.

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Answer 5

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 20, 2021 5:12 AM in response to Syldei

If you reboot and hold Alt/Option, what are the available selections from the USB?

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Answer 6

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 23, 2021 4:55 PM in response to Syldei

Create a Time Machine backup
Erase your whole disk and install macOS Catalina
Install Windows and test
Use Migration Assistant to restore your TM backup - Restore your Mac from a backup - Apple Support

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Answer 7

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 20, 2021 11:06 AM in response to Syldei

If that is the case, your USB2 Flash drive does not support boot-ability. What is the brand/model of the USB? You may want to look for a SanDisk/Sony/Lexar USB2.

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Answer 8

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 22, 2021 4:18 PM in response to Syldei

Can you downgrade to macOS Catalina, install Windows, and then upgrade to Big Sur. Be aware that Big Sur is very buggy on Intel Cpus.

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Answer 9

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 17, 2021 2:35 PM in response to Syldei

What is the year/model of your Mac (do not post the serial number)?

What is the current macOS version?

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Answer 10

Syldei Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 22, 2021 1:52 PM in response to Loner T

I have bought another USB with no result.. it’s a lexar USB2 with 32gb of storage and nothing. Same issue I’ve been having with every USB I’ve tried. It restarts into the regular disk with macos and not the windows installer. It shows the partition has been made in disk utility but it doesn’t show up as an option for startup disk.

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