Level 1

2 points

Install Windows 7 in Mid-2015 Macbook Pro

Good Afternoon All,

I am trying to install Windows 7 onto a Macbook Pro that bootcamp no longer supports putting Windows 7 onto. I have a Product Key for 7 and want to upgrade to Windows 10 but, unfortunately, Windows 7 has to be on the machine first. I used a friends Macbook Pro early 2011 to create a WININSTALL USB stick using their Bootcamp software (which permits Windows 7 because of his 2011 model) but when I reboot and hold the OPTION key it does not even recognize the stick. The only thing that is there is my Mac HD. Does anyone know of a method to get Windows 7 onto one of the new Macbook Pro's? I have moderate computer skills and can do some things in command line, use Xcode to modify files like bootcamps .plist, etc.

Thank you for your suggestions,

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Sep 7, 2015 9:13 AM

Top-ranking reply

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Posted on Nov 9, 2016 2:56 AM

There is no support on 2015 or later models for CSM-BIOS, hence legacy BIOS OSes can no longer boot. If you need W7 on a 2015 or later model, use virtualization software (Parallels, VMWare Fusion or VirtualBox).

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64 replies

Taelvin Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 13, 2015 11:09 AM in response to Loner T

I can get into Advanced options by hitting f8 but once I'm in there none of the options listed will work it just goes back to the first screen pictured in the prior post. I have tried hitting f1-6, Fn+F1-6, Shift+F1-6, Shift+Fn+F1-6, and none of them get the selected options to do anything. Bootlogging, safe boot, safe boot with networking, etc none of it will start up. Hitting their options just take you to the main blue screen.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Sep 13, 2015 11:14 AM in response to Taelvin

Instead of using Function keys or special keys, can you use cursor keys, and get to the option you want and press Enter/Return?

Please see http://www.howtogeek.com/220986/how-to-use-all-of-windows-10’s-backup-and-recove ry-tools/ .

Taelvin Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 13, 2015 11:16 AM in response to Loner T

The cursor does let you scroll. I thought the same thing and scrolled down to Safe Boot and disable device signature and they all did the same thing. Screen flashes back to main blue screen pictured in prior post. :-/

Taelvin Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 13, 2015 2:23 PM in response to Loner T

I would need a Win8.1 Product Key in order to have a valid upgrade to Windows 10. Yes I wouldn't need to use parallels with Win8.1 but without a product key you aren't eligible or the free upgrade to Windows 10 and the only product key I have is for Win7. And since both Win8.1 and Win10 costs the same new now you might as well just purchase the new Win10 product key.

Thanks for all your troubleshooting help though Loner T. Any way I can still give you points or something for the support?

Nov 10, 2016 2:35 AM in response to felipeqga

Hello felipeqga,

I suppose you were responding to me and I don't understand your reply: my problem isn't to install windows 7 on my external drive (USB/SSD), but to boot on it on macbook startup (alt). I manage to see it as a EFI boot, but then I get a black screen.

Is what you wrote: the problem is the booting of windows 7 on an external USB3 drive ?

Thanks for the answer,

Elric

Nov 10, 2016 4:41 AM in response to felipeqga

Thanks.

Like I wrote before I have:

- an externalisation hardrive (SSD) in an USB 3 case

- a MacBook air 2015

- an ISO and à DVD windows 7 pro

- an old MacBook 2009 with a bootcamp partition on the internal hardrive

- I successfully installation windows 7 on the externalisation drive or clone my Old windows 7 bootcamp partition

- I see the externalisation drive on holding alt as à ''EFI boot''

- the MacBook (2009 and 2015) won't boot correctly (black screen or rebooting on internal osx) on the external drive

- I've tried many méthodes

- I just tried to put the inf and sys usb3 drivers directly in the windows directories... But i still doesn't boot

I'm aware I 'try something no so easy. Combining the windows 7 problématique with usb3, plus à boot on an externalisation usb drive, plus doingbthis on a MacBook 2015 so it have to be a ''EFI boot'', so I must installation windows 7 64 bits kn EFI boot mode, and on and on... But I think there must bé à way tonget this to work: boot windows 7 64 bits on an externalisation usb3 drive on a MacBook air 2015 ! ;-)

Nov 10, 2016 5:32 AM in response to elricfromstrasburg

Great,

Do you trying to Boot Windows via USB?

Friend, already read various documentation and never saw anyone start Windows via USB. You can install Windows via USB but can not run the Windows system via USB.

Taelvin Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 7, 2015 4:15 PM in response to Loner T

I followed the command sequence, here is the terminal window showing the progress. I rebooted and held alt/option and the Windows USB did not show up. Just Mac HD. :-/

Taelvin Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 7, 2015 4:21 PM in response to Taelvin

Here is the fdisk and diskutil list as it is now after running those commands. The USB drive looks almost the same as yours except it is larger in size.

Taelvin Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 8, 2015 5:41 PM in response to Loner T

At boot-up with my Windows 7 Pro 64 bit CD in the Apple SuperDrive this is what shows up when you press ALT/Option:

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Sep 9, 2015 11:08 AM in response to Taelvin

If you delete the partition, the MBR should also be removed. You can check with the Fdisk command after the deletion.

Taelvin Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 10, 2015 6:29 PM in response to Loner T

Does anything have to be done to the Hybrid MBR before attempting to install the clone image of Windows 7 onto the FAT partition?

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Sep 11, 2015 7:21 AM in response to Taelvin

It depends on the source of the clone. How was the clone created? What year/model is the source Mac?

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Sep 11, 2015 7:52 AM in response to Taelvin

Yes, this should work. Please post back if you have any issues. (I have used Winclone, but this is very similar).

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Sep 13, 2015 8:17 AM in response to Taelvin

Your BCD is corrupt. Use Bootrec.exe and repair BCD or use EasyBCD.

Please see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/927392?wa=wsignin1.0 .

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Install Windows 7 in Mid-2015 Macbook Pro