Getting Boot Camp to switch to MacOS from Windows is inexplicably inconsistent...

AshleyQuick · Jan 31, 2023

I've seen and read in multiples places that you must press the option key while restarting in order to get to the screen that looks similar to this:

Well first off, I have a Windows keyboard so I'm pressing ALT (the equivalent). However, it seemed to become evident, by chance, that getting to this screen above would not work if I chose "Restart" from the Windows menu. Instead, I would have to power off the iMac (2013) and press the ALT key while powering up. And this worked at least three times.......Until now. It doesn't matter if I hold the ALT key before pressing the power button, at the same time, or even a second after......it boots to Windows every time. Any idea why this is being so problematic?

I now believe I have a password for one of the four MacOS accounts and I want to completely reset the machine without Windows. Please help

ferrarr · Feb 1, 2023

Is the keyboarb USB or wireless/bluetooth?

AshleyQuick · Feb 1, 2023

ferrarr said:
Is the keyboarb USB or wireless/bluetooth?

Nope

Jimmysb · Feb 2, 2023

AshleyQuick said:
Nope

Go on, tell us, how does it connect

Lifeisabeach · Feb 2, 2023

While booted into Windows, you can use the applet running in the System Tray to tell the system reboot back into macOS. Assuming, of course, the Boot Camp Utilities were installed.

How to Switch Between Mac and PC (Windows) Using Boot Camp - AnsonAlex.com

Learn how to switch between macOS and Windows using Boot Camp without holding down the option key.

ansonalex.com

AshleyQuick · Feb 3, 2023

Lifeisabeach said:
While booted into Windows, you can use the applet running in the System Tray to tell the system reboot back into macOS. Assuming, of course, the Boot Camp Utilities were installed.

How to Switch Between Mac and PC (Windows) Using Boot Camp - AnsonAlex.com

Learn how to switch between macOS and Windows using Boot Camp without holding down the option key.

ansonalex.com

I get this error when doing so...

Lifeisabeach · Feb 3, 2023

AshleyQuick said:
I get this error when doing so...

View attachment 37931

Well there's your problem. Only Windows is installed. You don't have macOS installed on it.

AshleyQuick · Feb 20, 2023

Lifeisabeach said:
Well there's your problem. Only Windows is installed. You don't have macOS installed on it.

Circling back on this. I believe macOS is installed because I can get to the login/welcome screen which shows four accounts.

ferrarr · Feb 21, 2023

Then you need to get into macOS Internet Recovery.

Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac

Learn how to use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac.

support.apple.com