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Can't install Windows 7 64bit using Bootcamp "Missing CD/DVD driver"

Trying to install Windows 7 64bit using Bootcamp Assistant on MacBook Pro Mid 2014 running Mavericks (Also tried it using High Sierra).  I follow all the instructions to the letter, but during the Windows install I get a dialog box asking for a CD/DVD driver, and the install progress won't go any further.  I get this box immediately after clicking the "Install" button, prior to the window regarding which partition to install to. I'm using a factory Windows install disk. (I tried a test by installing Windows 8.1 and it installed without a problem, also from a factory disk).  I've tried installing directly from the disk in a superdrive, and also by creating an .iso, and I get the same dialog box during the install. When using an .iso I create the Windows installer and then it downloads and saves the Bootcamp support files to the USB drive.  No matter how I do it I get the dialog box looking for a driver.  I’ve used several versions of Windows in sever different Macs always using Bootcamp, so I always thought that I knew what I was doing.  Now I’m stuck.  Any ideas

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.7

Posted on Jun 22, 2024 10:31 PM

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2 replies

Jun 29, 2024 6:49 PM in response to charr328

I'm not sure it is possible to install Windows 7 anymore. All of Apple's current Windows BootCamp documentation seems to only mention Windows 10.....even when referencing older versions of macOS. Plus AFAIK Microsoft took the Windows activation servers offline for Win7 some time ago.


Here is the Apple article regarding Windows BootCamp for macOS 10.13 High Sierra.....the oldest version of macOS still being referenced:

Install Windows on your older Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support


Here is the Boot Camp Assistant User Guide:

Boot Camp Assistant User Guide for Mac - Apple Support


Apple's Windows Boot Camp articles are not very well done with some links purporting to be for older versions of macOS & older Macs defaulting to macOS 14.x Sonoma. All links regarding Windows appear to refer to Win10. I can find no current references to Win7 or Win8.


Can't install Windows 7 64bit using Bootcamp "Missing CD/DVD driver"

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