Windows 10 Bootcamp setup Macbook Pro10,1 (Early 2013)

If you install W10 from an older ISO, and then update W10 to a newer ISO, Bootcamp also offers updated drivers. See How to use Apple Software Update for Windows - Apple Support for reference. I use W10 on a 2012 13-in MBP. It was originally install using W10 1511. and upgraded to the new W10 releases. Also, the Intel HD3k/4k GPUs can create issues, but you have a dual-GPU 15-in MBP, which may not be a factor during the initial installation. On Windows, you can only see the nVidia GPU.

My recommendation is to try an older ISO (before 1903).

macOS High Sierra and earlier versions have issues with W10 1903 and later ISOs. EFI Boot will not work properly on your model. Also, you need to use a USB2 Flash drive, not a USB3 storage device.

Can you check the version of MACHALDriver.sys? See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/updating-to-windows-10-version-1903-on-apple-mac-devices-introduced-before-2012-or-newer-mac-devices-with-older-versions-apple-boot-camp-or-windows-support-software-drivers-installed-f140d003-4760-ca81-812c-fd8dd69c8c9f for reference.

If you still have an issue with Keyboard or Right-click, check Windows Device Manager for any unknown devices.

Do you have a Bootcamp item in Control Panel? It should be similar to one shown in Boot Camp Control Panel User Guide for Mac - Apple Support.

Myatix wrote:

Thanks for the reply again!

Yes it sounds a lot like the issue I have been having!

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204923•

A 2013 Mac is considered an older Mac. I have had to install W10 from older ISOs and then upgrade to newer W10 releases.

However I am running the latest version of Catalina (10.15.7) which is the highest MacOS I can run on this machine and according to the apple support website this machine is supported to run Windows 10 in bootcamp. BUT... It doesn't!!!

The BC drivers are almost 7 years old.

As for MACHALDriver.sys I can't check the version as I cannot install Bootcamp as it results in the Mac rebooting continuously and then results in a fatal error???

But according to the Bootcamp.xml...

<Component Name="MacHALDriver.sys" GUID="*" SharedDLL="No">

<File Name="MacHALDriver.sys">

<KeyPath>yes</KeyPath>

<FileVersion>6.200.6.0</FileVersion>

</File>

</Component>

I will check for the newer versions.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION... Doing a standard install using the bootcamp assistant results in the following issues:

Issue Number 1:

New USB 2.0 Key size (64GB)

• Error 1: There is not enough space on the USB drive when creating the Windows installation USB. This is obviously wrong as the entire installation with drivers and windows is just over 8GB and the apple website states that only 16GB USB key is required.

Be careful. W10 1903 and later ISOs will not work with MBR/FAT32 format USBs. They require MBR/exFAT format.

Workaround: Manually format the USB using Disk Utility as ExFAT with Master Boot Record. Then Create the USB key by downloading the Windows Support files using bootcamp to the Mac's hard drive and then manually copy them to the USB drive. Then open the Windows 10 ISO and copy them to the same USB drive. So based on the fact I am using the latest version of Catalina I would expect this to work.

As mentioned, exFAT is valid for W10 1903 and later ISOs. However, W10 1903 is a 2019 ISO.

Issue Number 2:

Can only install Windows in EFI Boot.

• When attempting to install Windows normally the MacBook Pro reboots having prepared the partitions in Bootcamp Assistant and a black screen loads stating cannot find media or something similar.

Workaround:

Reboot Mac then hold down Alt to select boot disk. Only option that appears is EFI Boot or MacOS. So the only option as far as I can see it is to install Windows using EFI Boot.

The UEFI Macs are late 2013 models. Trying to install EFI Boot can lead to driver issues.

Issue Number 3:

Partition created by Bootcamp won't allow EFI Boot Install to install Windows

• When you get to the point in the Windows installation where you have to choose a drive and format it you are not able to do so as you receive an error.

Workaround:

Boot back into MacOS and use Disk Utility to format the Bootcamp drive as Mac OS Extended (Journeled). Reboot hold down ALT, then choose EFI Boot and when you get to the installation step where you choose which disk/partition to install Windows on you then delete the Bootcamp partition. (Becareful to choose the correct one.) Then add a new partition using the windows installer and continue with the installation.

Since your Mac is a preUEFI Mac, when you use DU to format the Bootcamp partition, it removes the Hybrid MBR. This leads to more issues later.

Issue Number 4:

Graphics driver causes Fatal System Error and continuous reboot.

• Workaround: Rename driver causing the issue in the Bootcamp/Drivers folder to .old and then reattempt the installation by removing the bootcamp installation using Bootcamp Assistant then recreating the Bootcamp partitions and reinstalling.

The nVidia GT650m driver provided by BC drivers is old. It is not compatible with newer releases of W10. You should consider a W10 1607 or older ISO, if possible.

Issue Number 5:

Bootcamp Installation after successful Windows 10 install causes continuous reboot

• Workaround: Before doing anything create a restore point using Windows Recovery. Then manually install all missing drivers that appear in Device Manager by using the various folders from the Bootcamp/Drivers folder. Once you have internet connection again run Windows Update to update any old drivers that Windows has detected.

This is pointing back to older drivers on a newer ISO issue, yet again.

Issue Number 6:

Windows is successfully installed at this point but the following items are still not working. Not able to install Bootcamp resulting in right click on trackpad Trackpad not working, No backlight on keyboard, No Audio drivers.

Workaround: NONE SO FAR...

My recommendation to find an older W10 ISO (1511 or 1607 or 1703) and try with it. I have had to do this on 2012 and 2013 Macs fairly often.