windows – No Option to Boot Windows in Startup Manager

bootwindows

So basically I've got a Macbook Pro 2013 / 2014, I'm not sure which. It has a completely wiped hard drive, and I'm trying to install Windows on it. I have a Windows 10 Installer USB drive that works fine on other computers. By this I mean in other computers, the BIOS lists the USB drive as a boot option and works as expected.

But in the Macbook Startup Manager (accessed by holding the option key while the computer is booting), it is not an option.

If I use a live Linux USB (I've tried arch and debian) it works as expected, debian installed on the Macbook with no problems.

What can I do to fix this? Also keep in mind there is no operating system installed on the system, so I can't use any OSX utilities, but I can use Linux utilities.

Best Answer

Here are the steps I would use to install Windows 10 your Mac. I assume you have a Windows 10 iso file.

  1. Install the current macOS operation system to your Mac. Currently this High Sierra version 10.13.2. The accomplishes two tasks. First, you will get all the logic board firmware updates. This is done in the background, so you will never know if a firmware update occurs. You used to have to manually install firmware updates, but as you can see from the legacy firmware update site, Apple now does update automatically. Second, you will get the latest version of the Boot Camp Assistant application. You can use this application to create the USB Windows 10 installer flash drive.

    Note: The newer Macs can install Windows 10 without the use of a USB flash drive.

  2. Use the Boot Camp Assistant to install Windows 10.

    If you do not want macOS installed on your Mac, then you can delete macOS during the installation of Windows 10. If you reach the window shown below, select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)".

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    Next, remove macOS by deleting all the partitions. The result should be the same as shown below.

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    With the unallocated space highlighted, select "Next". The windows installer will automatically create the correct partitions.

The answer to your question

You Mac will not boot from the flash drive because the drive is not FAT formatted using a MBR partitioning scheme. If your drive is FAT formatted using a MBR partitioning scheme, then the firmware on your logic board is not up-to-date.

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