Unable to Boot from USB on iMac

Hello! i use a Mid 2011 27in iMac and i was wondering if it was possible to boot windows 7 off of a USB for bootcamp but when i had to wipe the drive i was unable to boot from a USB i used to be able too now i cant, can anyone help? Thanks (sorry for bad explaining if you need to know more you can ask)

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Dec 7, 2025 3:18 PM

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Posted on Dec 7, 2025 10:37 PM

Mid-2011 iMacs cannot natively boot Windows 7 from USB — only from DVD. USB may have worked before due to custom tools, but stock firmware does not support it after a wipe. Burn a Windows 7 DVD and install via Boot Camp, or use rEFInd or another workaround if you insist on USB.

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Unable to Boot from USB on iMac

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