install or remove windows 7 or later version "greyed out"

Question

install or remove windows 7 or later version "greyed out"

I have (iMac 21.5-inch, late 2012) with windows 7 installed using boot camp assistant.

and when I decided to upgrade the OS to Sierra it shows a message that I need to change the partition scheme to GUID... so I found it a chance to formate my hard disk and make a fresh install for my mac os and windows 7.

After formatting the hard disk and re-partition it (GUID scheme), and after installing Sierra I had a boot camp Issue:

I am trying to install windows 7 or windows 10 using boot camp assistant .

install or remove windows 7 or later version "greyed out"

How can I fix this? and I don't wont to use VMware.

1-) I have Win7 64-bit Iso and Win10 64-bit Iso.

2-) I installed all updates.

3-) I downloaded latest windows support software.

Posted on Jun 5, 2017 2:26 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 6, 2017 4:13 AM in response to Loner T

I can't believe it was that simple....
now the "install or remove windows 7 or later version" option is activated

I want to make independent partition for other data files beside mac OS partition and windows partition, should I do that before I start installing windows or can I do that After?

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Answer 2

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jun 5, 2017 3:03 PM in response to Raghidfromcairo

On a 2012 Mac, the detection of Windows partition is based on the presence of the MBR. If you formatted the disk, then there is no MBR, hence there is no Install or Remove option.

Post the output of

diskutil list

sudo fdisk /dev/disk0

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Answer 3

Jun 6, 2017 1:33 AM in response to Loner T

Untitled 1 : For mac apps and programs.

Untitled 2 : I was planning to make this partition for Windows files and programs.

Untitled 3 : Other data files.

If it necessary I can re-format or re-partition the hard disk or anything else to fix this.
And thanks again.

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Answer 4

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jun 6, 2017 4:13 AM in response to Raghidfromcairo

Raghidfromcairo wrote:

Untitled 2 : I was planning to make this partition for Windows files and programs.

This should be created by BC Assistant. Manual creation requires several other dependencies depending on your Mac's year/model. In your specific case, it is safer to let BCA do it.

Untitled 3 : Other data files.

You should use an external disk for such purposes. Your specific model does not support such a partition on the same disk where Windows is installed.

If it necessary I can re-format or re-partition the hard disk or anything else to fix this.

Just keep Untitled 1, and merge the rest back into Untitled 1. Let BCA partition and handle the distribution.

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Answer 5

Jun 6, 2017 1:03 AM in response to Loner T

Thanks 'Loner T'
Is there any chance to fix it?

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Answer 6

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jun 6, 2017 1:08 AM in response to Raghidfromcairo

This disk cannot be further partitioned by BC Assistant. What is the purpose of 'Untitled 2' and 'Untitled 3'?

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Answer 7

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jun 6, 2017 4:21 AM in response to Raghidfromcairo

Your specific Mac model does not support any additional partitions on the internal disk before or after Windows installation.

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