Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause..

How did you delete the Boot Camp partition?

Several people are having the same problem. Apple says it is a Microsoft problem. Don't see how because, like you, it worked for me yesterday and then doesn't work today. Hope we all find an answer!

I have exactly the same problem and have spent almost a week now trying to resolve it. Tech Support suggested that it was a Microsoft problem but I have successfully installed on my old MBP with internal optical drive and, therefore, believe it to be an Apple problem.

I have tried manually partitioning the "untitled" read only partition to "BOOT CAMP" (read and write) but then have no input method (mouse, keyboard etc) when I get to the Windows installation screen.

I was wondering if it was worthwhile spending £60 on an Apple Superdrive in the hope that Boot Camp Assistant would recognise it and install directly from DVD.

I really would be most grateful if someone could shed some light on this.

Thank you

If your internal Optical drive is functional, you do not need the external SuperDrive and the external SuperDrive will not work for Windows installation.

Having the same issue with my iMac 21.5 late 2013 build too and have been tearing my hair out for four days over it. I have lost count of how many times I have went through the process .. All clean installs with no programs running on Mac or anything other than the bootcamp setup usb in place. Hope solution comes around soon. Meanwhile will struggle through it and hope that I stumble onto a work around.

Loner T

Thank you for the reply. I do not have an optical drive on my MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) and thank heavens I did not buy an external one.

Consequently, it would appear that it is impossible to install Windows via Boot Camp. I sort of understand Apple's reluctance to get too involved with the Windows side of life but as they have it in the operating system I wish that they would repair it.

Do you want to start a new discussion in which your specific issues can be tackled?

Please start a new discussion and post some details. ASC can provide guidance and help.

1 Make sure that you are using USB 2

2 Manually download the three installation files for your hardware from the link given in Boot Camp Assistant Help. Make sure you get the correct version because there is another link at the bottom of the page for "MBP 15 inch Retina late 2013" ( $WinPEDriver$, BootCamp and AutoUnattend.xml ).

Copy and replace the files on the USB drive which BCA downloaded automatically.

Hope it works for you...it did for me.

After messing around all day trying to fix this problem I finally found your post. I can confirm the manually downloaded files worked for me on my late 2012 iMac. Thanks!

Good, I am pleased it worked........I spent nearly two weeks trying to sort this out.

I am very angry with Apple telephone support in Ireland who fobbed me off with, "It is a Microsoft problem". I have completed their survey in the hope that someone will contact me to discuss the matter.

Hey I'm facing the same problem as OP. Could you help me? I can't find the files on the bootcamp Help Assistant Link. Could you tell me specifically where to look? Thanks! 🙂

If you already have Windows installed, download Paragon NTFS for Mac Trial version, which will allow read-write access to Bootcamp partition. Find AppleSSD.sys and delete it.

If you are seeing this issue during a new Windows installation, remove the AppleSSD64 folder from $WinPEDriver$ folder and retry your Windows installation.

If I recall correctly, I got the files from this Apple support page. Select the model of your Mac in the table and click the number by it which should take you to the download page.

Install Windows 7 and earlier on your Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support