Pierre Degaillande1
Level 1 (60 points)
Notebooks

Q: Can't Install Windows 8 on Macbook Pro Retina 2011

I am trying to install and run Windows 8 on my Macbook Pro 15' Retina late 2011 with OS 10.10.5.

 

I have read a ton of forums, and they all say to get a Windows 8 ISO from Microsoft website. I did this.

Next they say to get a blank USB drive and plug it in. I did that, and I put the ISO on my external USB drive.

Then it says to open Boot Camp Assistant, which I do, but then it doesn't correspond to what all the forums say. When i open Boot Camp Assistant, it goes to the Introduction page. I click CONTINUE, and the next page says SELECT TASKS. The only two tasks available are to "Download the latest support software from Apple" and/or "Install Windows 7 or later version."

I select them both, it asks me to select my destination disk, which i do, then click "CONTINUE."

It downloads Windows support software.

Then I get an error message that says "Installer disk can not be found, wait a few minutes for something (I forget exactly)."

So I wait and nothing happens and I'm back to the SELECT TASKS screen.

 

ANY HELP MUCH APPRECIATED.

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), OS 10.10.3

Posted on Aug 9, 2016 2:55 PM

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Pierre Degaillande1

Q: Can't Install Windows 8 on Macbook Pro Retina 2011

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  • by tim_135,

    tim_135 tim_135 Aug 10, 2016 11:47 AM in response to Pierre Degaillande1
    Community Specialists
    Aug 10, 2016 11:47 AM in response to Pierre Degaillande1

    Greetings Pierre Degaillande1,

    A MacBook Pro and MacBook Pro with Retina Display requires different Windows versions because of their different abilities. Below is the information you need to determine which Windows operating system can be installed on yours.​

    Use Windows 8.1 on your Mac with Boot Camp -- This article explains which MacBook Pro models can install Windows 8.1 and the steps on how to accomplish this.

    ​Install Windows 7 and earlier on your Mac using Boot Camp -- This article explains which MacBook Pro models can install Windows 7 and earlier along with the installation steps.

     

    Hope this helps!

  • by Pierre Degaillande1,Helpful

    Pierre Degaillande1 Pierre Degaillande1 Aug 10, 2016 12:03 PM in response to tim_135
    Level 1 (60 points)
    Notebooks
    Aug 10, 2016 12:03 PM in response to tim_135

    HI Tim

    i already got way past this step and followed the instructions from the Apple site but I keep getting stuck on the third step. Please see my post above. Any help appreciated.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Aug 10, 2016 12:31 PM in response to Pierre Degaillande1
    Level 7 (23,603 points)
    Safari
    Aug 10, 2016 12:31 PM in response to Pierre Degaillande1

    Pierre Degaillande1 wrote:

     

    I am trying to install and run Windows 8 on my Macbook Pro 15' Retina late 2011 with OS 10.10.5.

     

    I have read a ton of forums, and they all say to get a Windows 8 ISO from Microsoft website. I did this.

    Next they say to get a blank USB drive and plug it in. I did that, and I put the ISO on my external USB drive.

    Then it says to open Boot Camp Assistant, which I do, but then it doesn't correspond to what all the forums say. When i open Boot Camp Assistant, it goes to the Introduction page. I click CONTINUE, and the next page says SELECT TASKS. The only two tasks available are to "Download the latest support software from Apple" and/or "Install Windows 7 or later version."

    I select them both, it asks me to select my destination disk, which i do, then click "CONTINUE."

    It downloads Windows support software.

    Then I get an error message that says "Installer disk can not be found, wait a few minutes for something (I forget exactly)."

    So I wait and nothing happens and I'm back to the SELECT TASKS screen.

     

    ANY HELP MUCH APPRECIATED.

    This is incorrect. On 2011 Macs (with built-in Optical drives) you cannot use a USB Installer on Macs prior to 2012 models. .You cannot install Windows using EFI Boot on 2011 models. It does not work properly.

     

    Burn the W8 ISO to a physical DVD. It should be single-mode 64-bit only ISO. The ISO should be about 4+ GB. The Download software should be done using a blank USB and is not used as the installer. It is used after Windows is fully installed. The last task should be used with the physical DVD to install Windows 8.

  • by Pierre Degaillande1,

    Pierre Degaillande1 Pierre Degaillande1 Aug 12, 2016 8:48 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (60 points)
    Notebooks
    Aug 12, 2016 8:48 AM in response to Loner T

    Thank you for your response but I am still confused. Can you tell me exactly the order in which I need to do things?

    First download ISO

    Then burn it to DVD

    But how can I install Windows from the DVD without Boot Camp? I keep getting an error that says Windows can not be installed on a Mac.

    Please help.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Aug 12, 2016 8:57 AM in response to Pierre Degaillande1
    Level 7 (23,603 points)
    Safari
    Aug 12, 2016 8:57 AM in response to Pierre Degaillande1

    1. Download ISO from Microsoft.

    2. Burn it to a physical DVD. A DVD-R SL is preferred.

         Insert a blank DVD.

         Right-click on the ISO.

         Choose Burn from the pop-up menu.

         Expand the Burn menu, and set proper burn rate (lowest is the safest, but takes the longest). Enable verification and

         mounting options.

    3. Run BC Assistant.

    4. Click on Download software, and download it to a USB, and disconnect the USB. You will use it after Windows is installed.

    5. Click on Install. If Install is not enabled, your DVD was burnt incorrectly. Please see Disk Utility (Yosemite): Burn a disk image to a CD or DVD .

    6. Partition your drive to the size you want. 50-100GB is recommended for Windows.

    7. Choose Bootcamp partition.

    8. Install drivers from USB, by running setup.exe from Bootcamp folder.