So having taken a sick day, I decided I would finally embark on trying to get Windows 7 running on my MacBook Pro Mid-2015(Iris Pro 5200 only).
These guides were lifesavers, wouldn't have gotten off the ground without them:
-https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...most-fully-support-include-track-pad.1992139/
-https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/guide-install-windows-7-on-air-2015.1961618/
I mainly followed the MBP centered one, using the MBA centered one for anything I didn't quite understand.
Creating the bootable USB was easy, just requires you to focus and type/execute everything correctly. I don't recommend using RT Lite(listed on the MBP guide), it did work for me HOWEVER the program had some nasty ads with malware. I disconnected my internet to kill the ads, and carry on. Any program that allows slipping the hotfix needed and drivers SHOULD work fine.
Here is what I downloaded drivers/hotfix:
Intel 5100 Driver(I accidentally used it, instead of 5200 but it worked so I'll leave it here
-https://downloadcenter.intel.com/do...Driver-for-Windows-7-8-1-15-36-?product=81494
Intel USB 3.0 eXtension Host Controller
-https://downloadcenter.intel.com/do...100-Series-and-Intel-C220-C610-Chipset-Family
Windows6.1-KB2775511-v2-x64.msu (HotFix)
-http://thehotfixshare.net/board/index.php?autocom=downloads&showfile=16296
Here are the files needed to compile your WIMs:
do_boot_wim
-https://forums.macrumors.com/attachments/do_boot-wim-bat-txt.621577/
do_install_wim
-https://forums.macrumors.com/attachments/do_install-wim-bat-txt.621578/
VGAshim is also needed:
-https://github.com/davidcie/VgaShim/releases
Relinking everything for the sake of easiness and to hopefully get you going. Now as for the Windows 7 iso, I'm not sure if I can link archives however the ISO name I downloaded was 'en_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677332.iso'. Do not use pirated copies, it'll probably spark more issues. You will need a key to activate Windows 7. Lastly, stray away from Home. Professional and Ultimate both have had success, and have some required tools I believe.
From this point forward, just follow the MBP guide and you'll be on the road to having Windows 7 on your 2015
The end result was having ALL device drivers installed on my MBP Mid-2015. I installed basic drivers then to install BootCamp I would need to install a ton of windows updates(received a missing DLL error on BootCamp 5). I switched between BootCamp 5.1 and 6.1 to find the drivers that worked correctly, I did need BootCamp 5.1 to install the BootCamp manager however(6 refused even with workarounds). I obtained 6 through Brigadier and 5 on one of the guides, no MacOS downloading required.
Along with that, my system is on Catalina with APFS drives. I was curious if it would pose a problem but the install worked perfectly(no reinstall of MacOS needed either.) I used Disk Utility to partition it as 128gb Journaled then resize my primary APFS partition accordingly.
Windows 7 also seems to run cooler/longer than Windows 10 on the MBP 2015. Due to my strong dislike of Windows 10, I will probably stick with it till I must move.
Happy to answer any questions.
These guides were lifesavers, wouldn't have gotten off the ground without them:
-https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...most-fully-support-include-track-pad.1992139/
-https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/guide-install-windows-7-on-air-2015.1961618/
I mainly followed the MBP centered one, using the MBA centered one for anything I didn't quite understand.
Creating the bootable USB was easy, just requires you to focus and type/execute everything correctly. I don't recommend using RT Lite(listed on the MBP guide), it did work for me HOWEVER the program had some nasty ads with malware. I disconnected my internet to kill the ads, and carry on. Any program that allows slipping the hotfix needed and drivers SHOULD work fine.
Here is what I downloaded drivers/hotfix:
Intel 5100 Driver(I accidentally used it, instead of 5200 but it worked so I'll leave it here
-https://downloadcenter.intel.com/do...Driver-for-Windows-7-8-1-15-36-?product=81494
Intel USB 3.0 eXtension Host Controller
-https://downloadcenter.intel.com/do...100-Series-and-Intel-C220-C610-Chipset-Family
Windows6.1-KB2775511-v2-x64.msu (HotFix)
-http://thehotfixshare.net/board/index.php?autocom=downloads&showfile=16296
Here are the files needed to compile your WIMs:
do_boot_wim
-https://forums.macrumors.com/attachments/do_boot-wim-bat-txt.621577/
do_install_wim
-https://forums.macrumors.com/attachments/do_install-wim-bat-txt.621578/
VGAshim is also needed:
-https://github.com/davidcie/VgaShim/releases
Relinking everything for the sake of easiness and to hopefully get you going. Now as for the Windows 7 iso, I'm not sure if I can link archives however the ISO name I downloaded was 'en_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677332.iso'. Do not use pirated copies, it'll probably spark more issues. You will need a key to activate Windows 7. Lastly, stray away from Home. Professional and Ultimate both have had success, and have some required tools I believe.
From this point forward, just follow the MBP guide and you'll be on the road to having Windows 7 on your 2015
The end result was having ALL device drivers installed on my MBP Mid-2015. I installed basic drivers then to install BootCamp I would need to install a ton of windows updates(received a missing DLL error on BootCamp 5). I switched between BootCamp 5.1 and 6.1 to find the drivers that worked correctly, I did need BootCamp 5.1 to install the BootCamp manager however(6 refused even with workarounds). I obtained 6 through Brigadier and 5 on one of the guides, no MacOS downloading required.
Along with that, my system is on Catalina with APFS drives. I was curious if it would pose a problem but the install worked perfectly(no reinstall of MacOS needed either.) I used Disk Utility to partition it as 128gb Journaled then resize my primary APFS partition accordingly.
Windows 7 also seems to run cooler/longer than Windows 10 on the MBP 2015. Due to my strong dislike of Windows 10, I will probably stick with it till I must move.
Happy to answer any questions.
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