Windows cannot be installed to this disk.The selected disk has an MBR partition table.On EFI systems,Windows can only be installed to GPT disks.

I have been using bootcamp and I partitioned my 500 gb SATA internal drive into 40Gb for windows and the rest of OS. I am trying to install Windows 8.1 Pro from a usb drive that I used for bootcamp processes and it contains the windows 8.1 pro iso image. When i hold option to open my pc i only get my machintosh HD option and my EFI option (which contains the windows installer created by bootcamp adn is only available when my usb drive is connected. In the images above you can see that I have selected partition 4. I have selected format multiple times for this partition however the error message shown on the title of this question and the image above is appearing. As a result i cannot proceed with the installation of windows 8.1 pro in my mid 2010 MacBook Pro.

Posted on Apr 7, 2015 6:16 AM

26 replies

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Aug 1, 2016 3:21 AM in response to Jbrowne90

Are you using a DVD or a USB Installer?

Aug 1, 2016 3:25 AM in response to Loner T

I'm using a USB 2.0 - windows iso 64bit.

Followed the bootcamp help from the apple website exactly.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Aug 1, 2016 3:29 AM in response to Jbrowne90

What is the year/model of your Mac? Does it have a built-in Optical drive?

Aug 1, 2016 3:35 AM in response to Loner T

I have a Macbook Pro Late 2011.

and yes it does have a built in Optical Drive.

Aug 1, 2016 4:00 AM in response to Loner T

Thanks, i'll give that a go.

Aug 1, 2016 11:20 AM in response to Loner T

My bootcamp ends up not recognising the dvd i have burned the Windows iso onto.

Any thoughts?

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Aug 3, 2016 11:55 AM in response to Jbrowne90

Does the burnt DVD show up properly on the OSX side? What is the size of ISO? What is the file format of the DVD?

Aug 3, 2016 11:58 AM in response to Loner T

Yes. The .iso size is 4.32gb. By dvd format you mean like DVD R (this is the one I'm using)

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Aug 3, 2016 12:01 PM in response to Jbrowne90

Is the media a DVD-R SL? If you can describe the exact steps for burning, it would be good to check.

Aug 3, 2016 1:55 PM in response to Loner T

Thats worked! Brilliant, thanks Loner T.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Aug 3, 2016 2:48 PM in response to Jbrowne90

Please back up OS X and Windows, and create a Windows System Restore point.

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Windows cannot be installed to this disk.The selected disk has an MBR partition table.On EFI systems,Windows can only be installed to GPT disks.