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Level 1

4 points

Trying to run Windows 10 on my Mac, but having Problems!

Ok, so I have been trying to get Windows 10 running on my 2010 13 Inch MacBook Pro, which I upgraded with a Samsung SSD 860 EVO and 16 GB Of ram. (I also took out the Optical drive for a second SSD to run in Raid 0 - I had to delete that since it didn't work with Windows.) I tried following a Youtube guide by making a copy of Bootcamp and editing the files - and I got everything to work, and the Mac is booting from the USB Flash drive I made - but there are only two options when I hold Alt. The regular Mac os and EFI Boot. When I click EFI Boot, I go through the setup process - until I have to choose my hard drive. I choose the drive that has enough space (400 Gb. The other ones have 0 to 200 MB, so that can't be it.) At first, it said something about NTFS. So I clicked "Format" and that worked - now it's saying the "Selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI Systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT Disks." Is there any way to fix this? I have a Windows 10 Disk that I purchased from Microsoft, do I have to use that? Or do I have to run Windows 7??

MacBook Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13.6), null

Posted on Sep 23, 2018 7:31 PM

Best reply

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Posted on Sep 24, 2018 5:37 PM

A 2010 Mac does not support W10. It only supports W7/W8.1 and uses legacy BIOS, not EFI. All suggestions to modify Bootcamp files, use a USB, etc., will lead to problems, with bad/incorrect/non-functional drivers.

The designated Windows disk should be in the main bay of the Mac. If you need macOS, it can be on the second disk.

If you still have the original internal Optical drive, I suggest you use it to install Windows 7/8.1 using DVD. If you must have W10, then upgrade the W7/W8.1 to W10 in-place. This allows the W7/W8.1 Apple-provided BC drivers to function properly under W10.

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49 replies

Lionhead876 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 1, 2018 6:57 PM in response to Loner T

Thanks so much! This step may take a while, I plan on ordering a Windows 7 Install Disk. What was the first part about the Optibay disk? When do I disconnect, after Windows is installed?

Thanks so much for the help up until this point!!

Lionhead876 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 2, 2018 4:14 PM in response to Loner T

Ok, so while im reinstalling the DVD Drive, I just unplug the sata cable from the disk end... so only the data cable is plugged in to the DVD Drive? and then i can boot from external hard drive, insert windows 7 installation disk and then run Bca.. just to clear everything? I am currently in the process of having the Windows 7 Disk I ordered come, it should come within a day or 2 and then I can try this.

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Oct 2, 2018 5:07 PM in response to Lionhead876

I suggest you remove the current disk in Optibay, by disconnecting the SATA cable from the disk side, and installing the Optical drive in it's place. Do not leave the bottom cover open. Use a DVD to install Windows on the main bay drive. Once installed and tested, remove the optical drive, put in the second disk, and restore (or install) macOS.

Lionhead876 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 7, 2018 5:36 PM in response to Loner T

Ok, I have good news! I just finished installing the Optical Drive. Unfortunately, I can't delete one of the partitions for the disk, it gives an error. Also, space is still missing on the hard drive. Should I just ignore all that and run BCA With the Windows install disk?

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Oct 7, 2018 5:53 PM in response to Lionhead876

Lionhead876 wrote:

Should I just ignore all that and run BCA With the Windows install disk?

No. Can you post the output of

diskutil list

If you do not have macOS on the same disk, you can boot from an external macOS disk temporarily.

Lionhead876 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 17, 2018 4:23 PM in response to Loner T

Hey! I am totally ok with erasing it, I don't have anything rlly important, I have a full backup on my external hard drive. Just before I install windows I want to make sure my disk goes back to normal without the empty space.

Lionhead876 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2018 2:00 PM in response to Loner T

Ok, so I saw that the 64 gb that was missing is in the windows installer! at first i felt relieved, but then it doesn't let me install on this disk. This is the only drive big enough to support windows install. It says format is not GPT. I guess this is because of the tutorial i followed on reddit a long time ago when installing windows 10. That tutorial told me to click shift + f10 and type in commands. Now, I am unable to install on Windows 7, i guess it uses a different format? Do I click shift + f10 and type in a command on the windows 7 installer and convert the format? How do I do that?

Lionhead876 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2018 2:14 PM in response to Loner T

Ok so actually I did shift + f10 and put the command convert gpt and it worked. however, the only way i got it to work was to have the whole disk dedicated to windows, couldnt figure out how to split it in partition and get it to work, everytime i did it would say you cant install windows on this disk. Right now, Windows is installing. I still have my external hard drive with mac but its not plugged in. I guess I will install mac on the 2nd hard drive?

Lionhead876 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 4, 2018 2:21 PM in response to Loner T

I’m fairly certain I dont, I’ll check though. Could it be a problem because I never got boot camp drivers? I’m pretty sure boot camp usually Usually downloads the files and drivers but I installed windows using the disk...?