Microsoft blocks Windows 10 update over Boot Camp driver issue

Owners of older Macs or those with out-of-date versions of Boot Camp are being blocked from updating Windows 10 to version 1903.

Users of affected Mac devices that use Boot Camp attempting the update will see an error message warning about a problem with the Mac HAL driver 'machaldriver.sys' on their Windows 10 installation. "Your PC has a driver or service that isn't ready for this version of Windows 10," the message reads.

"No action is needed. Windows Update will offer this version of Windows 10 automatically once the issue has been resolved," it concludes. Microsoft advises it is working on a resolution and estimate it will be available in late July.

According to a Microsoft support page found by Windows Latest, the problem occurs with Macs released before 2012, as well as newer Mac models that use older Boot Camp versions or have Windows Support Software drivers with a compatibility hold in place. More specifically, the problem lies with the identified driver dated for September 24, 2011 or older in the Windows\system32\drivers directory.

Microsoft's error message when updating using an incompatible Boot Camp driver

As a workaround, Microsoft advises updating the Boot Camp Windows Support Software drivers could replace the driver in question and enable an update to go through. Microsoft suggests users can check for Windows Support Software updates in the Mac App Store and also links to an Apple support page dealing with installing the Windows Support Software itself.

This is not the first time Microsoft has prevented an update for Windows 10 based on software connected to Apple. In November, Microsoft stopped users of Apple's iCloud for Windows tool from updating to 1809, due to issues with updating and synchronizing shared albums.

29 Comments

MacPro 19838 comments · 18 Years

About 5 years ago

This saved my ass! I run a lot of MySQL databases on Windows servers (using Windows 10 Pro, not Server 2016 I should add). The only one that wasn't f****d up was one running on a Mac mini with Boot Camp that didn't get updated to from v1809 to v1903 (I think that's the stupid version numbers, who thinks these things up at MS?)

I'd ignore all advice above and use the 'if it ain't broke' philosophy for now.

keithw 152 comments · 20 Years

I was able to upgrade to the 1903 version on my iMac Pro, however, some of the AMD driver features will not install (despite Apple telling us to use the AMD drivers and AMD telling us not to...)

OutdoorAppDeveloper 1292 comments · 15 Years

Note that Microsoft supports Macs for longer than Apple does. The only reason why Apple does not support their computers for longer is because they want to force users to upgrade to their latest hardware even if it is slower than the computer they currently own (compare the latest Mac Mini to a top of the line 2011 iMac).

coolfactor 2332 comments · 20 Years

OutdoorAppDeveloper said:

Note that Microsoft supports Macs for longer than Apple does. The only reason why Apple does not support their computers for longer is because they want to force users to upgrade to their latest hardware even if it is slower than the computer they currently own (compare the latest Mac Mini to a top of the line 2011 iMac).

Microsoft does indeed have long-term support for Windows, but the "planned obsolescence by Apple" argument is weak at best. Stop repeating that. There's many, many factors that contribute to newer software no longer being supported. We've all seen how Apple makes a best effort to support years-old devices for as long as possible, but eventually you need to draw the line somewhere.

djames4242 654 comments · 14 Years

coolfactor said:

OutdoorAppDeveloper said:

Note that Microsoft supports Macs for longer than Apple does. The only reason why Apple does not support their computers for longer is because they want to force users to upgrade to their latest hardware even if it is slower than the computer they currently own (compare the latest Mac Mini to a top of the line 2011 iMac).

Microsoft does indeed have long-term support for Windows, but the "planned obsolescence by Apple" argument is weak at best. Stop repeating that. There's many, many factors that contribute to newer software no longer being supported. We've all seen how Apple makes a best effort to support years-old devices for as long as possible, but eventually you need to draw the line somewhere.

Agreed. I think Apple cuts off support for older devices more because they actually care about the user experience. How much of Window’s bloat, performance issues, bugs, and security holes are direct results of MIcrosoft having to support older hardware and technologies for longer than they should to keep their business customers happy? Apple has less of the business market which works in their favor, from a point of view, meaning they can deprecate older devices and APIs sooner which makes for a better, more reliable, and safer experience.