Boot Camp Assistant fails to download Windows support software

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Level 6

14,700 points

Boot Camp Assistant fails to download Windows support software

Yesterday I spent TWICE 2 hours trying to download Windows support software via the Boot Camp Assistant while trying to install Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit. Both downloads were very slow and ended in "an error".

Other posts indicate this is a known problem and suggest downloading the software via a browser instead using BCA.

But we have Mac Book Pro mid 2014 and there seems to be no browser-downloadable support files for it (only for older models).

It seems downloading the support software is forced (it is checked and grayed out in BCA) so I can't continue to install if I want BCA to copy the Windows.iso to USB. I can copy the Windows.iso to an USB stick via my Mac mini's VMare/Windows 7, but even then I'd have to somehow get the support software for the MacBook Pro mid 2014.

I guess I could try to use the support files for older Macs but would it refuse to install or would be there some drivers missing?

So is my only option to just try again and hope for the best?

Posted on Apr 2, 2015 12:01 AM

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Answer 1

Rudegar

Level 10

170,886 points

Apr 2, 2015 1:35 AM in response to Matti Haveri

then download it manually

Boot Camp Support Software 5.1.5640

or

Boot Camp Support Software 5.1.5621

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Answer 2

Matti Haveri Author

Level 6

14,700 points

Apr 2, 2015 3:37 AM in response to Rudegar

Thanks for the note. But neither link lists our MacBook Pro mid 2014.

And how can I use Boot Camp Assistant to write the Windows.iso to USB-stick because it forces the download of support software (it is selected and grayed out).

The following page recommends using BCA for the MBP mid 2014.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204048

I guess I could write the Windows.iso to USB using Windows (in fact I already did and it boots the MBP) and then try if the aforementioned software packages (which one?) contain necessary drivers for our MBP.

But I'd rather do it the recommended way letting the Boot Camp Assistant do the dirty work.

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Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 2, 2015 4:46 AM in response to Matti Haveri

For 2014 models, there are newer versions of Windows Drivers (5.1.5766 - for iMac5k, MBPs, ...) which are only available via BCA. You do not have a choice but to use BCA. Some have reported problems getting to the Apple CDN from where they are located.

Also, if you have installed any third-party software on your Mac, which could have contaminated your DNS, it can cause connectivity issues. Run the following commands in OS X Terminal.

grep -e apple.com /etc/hosts

grep -e apple.com /private/etc/hosts

If you see any entries which look suspicious, please post them. Remove any personal information as you see fit before replying.

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Answer 4

Matti Haveri Author

Level 6

14,700 points

Apr 2, 2015 9:12 AM in response to Loner T

Thanks, Loner T. The third installation attempt today succeeded and the download phase went through quite fast in less than 30 minutes.

The only quirks were that the Windows installer did not show any row with the name "BOOTCAMP" so I had to figure out by the partition sizes which one I wanted to format. The installation screens' text was also very small on the retina MBP before Apple's updates had a chance to take effect.

But now everything is OK. BTW, I chose the default tiny 20 GB partition size because my son only wants to be bilingual and know what the Windows folks talk about ;-) That left about 4 GB free space on Windows 8.1 Pro after its all current updates.

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Answer 5

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 2, 2015 10:13 AM in response to Matti Haveri

Since this is a brand new installation, I would recommend removing it using BC Assistant (only. No other tool should be used), and creating a 40-60GB partition. The reason there is so little free space is due to two large files hiberfil.sys and pagefil.sys. These are derived from the memory installed. These can be reduced, but reduction can negatively impact performance.

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Answer 6

Matti Haveri Author

Level 6

14,700 points

Apr 2, 2015 10:18 AM in response to Loner T

Thanks again, Loner T. I regard this as a test install and I'll make a larger partition in the future, if needed (there is only 80 GB free space on the OS X partition --- oh, why can't Boot Camp install on an external disk where there is LOTS of space...). Microsoft support pages say 20 GB is a minimum for 8.1 Pro so I now chose it.

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Answer 7

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 3, 2015 1:25 AM in response to Matti Haveri

Microsoft will let you install on an external disk, if you have Windows-to-Go.

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