Boot Windows from USB on MBP Pro Early 2011

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A lot of people wrote about this, and yet I can't find an answer.
Is it possible to remove the optical reader and install win7 with a usb stick?

Will then that MBP behave as if it never head an optical drive? Some people suggest the firmware would never let a Win7 USB boot.

Thanks!
 

chscag

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The firmware built into the 2011 MacBook Pro assumes there is an optical drive installed and that can not be changed. If you remove the optical drive you will not be able to install Windows 7 via USB, however, there are some hacks floating around that say you can. You can do the searching. ;)
 
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In short if Windows is a MUST HAVE, pop the optical drive back in temporarily.
 
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Thanks guys. I did the searching and it all seems too complicated and with uncertain result. I am comfortable around technology but not at that level :)
Thing is my optical drive is broken (I think), so I will have to spend little money for something totally useless.
I figure I will probably just do it, and then since I am at it, buy an SSD and do a total upgrade.
 

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