I Can't Install Windows 7 on Late 2013 MacBook Pro El Capitan

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Level 1

5 points

I Can't Install Windows 7 on Late 2013 MacBook Pro El Capitan

I have been having trouble installing Windows 7 x64 on my MacBook Pro Retina (Late 2013) though Boot Camp 6.0.0.

Boot Camp informed me that I need to download Boot Camp support drivers from Apple's Boot Camp link, so I proceeded to do so. I followed the instructions by downloading the appropriate one for my MacBook and uncompressing and moving the entire content to the root level of the USB drive formatted for Windows. I tried moving it to the Windows 7 Install USB, and it did not work. I then made a new Windows 7 Install USB and put the downloaded BC support drivers in a separate USB. It still didn't work. I keep getting the error that Windows 7 installer cannot locate the drivers.

I looked online for methods to install Windows 7 because the aforementioned methods did not work. I keep seeing the solution being look at the Apple's Boot Camp link for help, which is not helping me out at all. I'm really frustrated and I need the Windows 7 on my laptop so I can use Microsoft Visio for my assignments.

Can someone please help out?

Thank you :-)

MacBook Pro with Retina display

Posted on Nov 13, 2015 2:52 PM

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Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Nov 13, 2015 4:38 PM in response to ITrobert

1. What is the source of your Windows Installer?

2. Does BCA create a USB installer despite the W7 message?

3. Is the USB a USB2 flash drive? USB3 flash drives do not work.

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Answer 2

ITrobert Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 14, 2015 7:55 AM in response to Loner T

1. What is the source of your Windows Installer?

Downloaded from Microsoft's MSDN website through the university I go to.

2. Does BCA create a USB installer despite the W7 message?

It creates the USB installer without a problem except that it directs me to the BC support site to download the drivers because BCA 6.X supports Windows 8 or higher, not Windows 7.

3. Is the USB a USB2 flash drive? USB3 flash drive do not work.

I did not take the USB into consideration. I was using USB3 for the installation because it was the only one I had that had more than 4 GB on it.

I will let you know how it turns out. I just went to the store to get USB2 with 16GB. (I know I don't need that much, but I figured I could use it for other stuff when I'm done installing.

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Answer 3

ITrobert Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 14, 2015 8:21 AM in response to ITrobert

Still no luck. :-\

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Answer 4

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Nov 14, 2015 1:07 PM in response to ITrobert

Download the W7 driver package appropriate for your Mac from Install Windows 7 and earlier on your Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support to your OSX Desktop or Documents using BC Assistant. Once the package has been unzipped in to a directory of your choice, copy the $WinPEDriver$ from the BC 7 driver set and replace the one on the USB Installer. Repeat the same thing for the Bootcamp folder.

Run a SMC/NVRAM Reset

Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

Now retry your BC/Windows installation.

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Answer 5

ITrobert Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 14, 2015 3:42 PM in response to Loner T

So far it's working...

I did as you instructed, and the installation option came up. I chose Windows 7 Professional and it asked which partition to use. I picked Partition 4: BOOTCAMP. However, it told me that it cannot install in there because it is not in NFTS format, so I let it reformat.

I'm in the "Installing Window" phase right now.

I'll keep you posted.

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Answer 6

ITrobert Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 14, 2015 4:13 PM in response to ITrobert

Installed Windows 7.

Now installing drivers.

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Answer 7

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Nov 14, 2015 4:14 PM in response to ITrobert

My fingers, toes and eyes are crossed for you. 😉 . Very difficult to type this with fingers crossed. 😝

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Answer 8

ITrobert Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 14, 2015 4:45 PM in response to Loner T

Thanks Loner 🙂

It seems that my Windows Update is having trouble fetching updates. I got the error 802A0006.

Thoughts?

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Answer 9

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Nov 14, 2015 5:06 PM in response to ITrobert

Is your initial Windows installation complete? Are the BC drivers installed?

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Answer 10

ITrobert Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 14, 2015 5:10 PM in response to Loner T

Windows 7 completed its installation and BC drivers started installing, and then restarted after the drivers were installed. I ran BC installer again when I logged into Windows for the first time and restarted the computer again. Now I'm trying to run Windows Update. Been having trouble and I looked online for solutions. The error code I received didn't show up anywhere, but I saw the Windows Update troubleshooter from MS website, so I downloaded and ran it. Running Windows Update again, and still not seeing any result. :-\

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Answer 11

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Nov 14, 2015 5:14 PM in response to ITrobert

I suggest you create a Windows System Restore point before you apply any Windows Updates. You have to careful with driver updates. At least a functional Windows installation is better than none. 😉

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