Unable to install Windows 10 via USB boot disk

I'm trying to install Windows 10 via Boot Camp. I've followed the Boot Camp instructions to the letter - USB drive erased & formatted as ExFAT with no partitions, used Boot Camp to copy ISO & drivers to the USB drive, created BOOTCAMP partition via Boot Camp, & allowed Boot Camp to restart the computer. But when it restarts, I get a "No Bootable Device - Please insert boot disc and press any key." error (and pressing any key does nothing). I can restart and hold down Option key and get the correct Mac, Windows, and WININSTALL disk options. I can boot into the install disc and start the install process ("Custom" to install from scratch), but when I get to the point where I choose the partition, it gives me a "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks." error and I can't continue. I tried erasing/formatting the partition via the Windows utility, but I still just get the same error.


I'm on a 13-inch, mid-2012 MacBook Pro (9,2) with the latest Sierra updates. From my internet reading, supposedly I shouldn't even be able to install from the USB, but that's the only option Boot Camp gives me.


I have nothing else plugged in - just the power supply and USB boot drive.


Help? 🙂

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), macOS Sierra (10.12.6), null

Posted on Aug 20, 2017 4:38 PM

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3 replies

Aug 22, 2017 5:54 PM in response to GlitterFiend

Your 2012 model requires a USB Installler. If you are using a USB3 flash drive and/or using a USB external HDD, it will not work.


Your USB2 flash drive must be formatted FAT32, not exFAT, which is documented in How to install Windows on your Mac with Boot Camp - Apple Support .

A blank 16GB or larger USB 2 flash drive
If you have one of these Mac models, you don't need a flash drive.

Aug 22, 2017 6:04 PM in response to GlitterFiend

It is not so much 'dumber' tech, but the lack of USB3 drivers in the Windows installer. On Macs, once the BC drivers are installed, and your Mac supports USB3, then both USB2 and USB3 devices are properly supported. On supported Macs, the physical ports support both USB2 and USB3.


Please remember to backup Windows and create a Windows System Restore point.

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Unable to install Windows 10 via USB boot disk

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