Boot Camp - Can't download the software because of a network problem

I ran into this issue just now and fixed it. My computer used to be managed by my company and the catalogURL was changed to a company owned update server.

I fixed it by resetting it:

sudo defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL

UPDATE: How to download and install the driver files without using Bootcamp.

Using the web site How to identify MacBook Pro models, I determined your computer is:

  • MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014)
  • Model Identifier MacBook Pro11,3
  • Configuration 15.4”/2.5 Quad-core i7/16GB/512-Flash
  • Model number MGXC2xx/A

Other Mac computers use one of the links below:

How to identify your MacBook Air

How to identify MacBook models

How to identify iMac models

How to identify Mac mini models

How to identify Mac Pro models

From here, I went to the web site: Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows operating systems to determine which driver files to download.

The files, you need to download for your MacBook Pro, can be found at: Boot Camp Support Software 5.1.5640

This should give you an alternative to downloading from Bootcamp.


I believe "the creation of the usb install flash drive" can be separated from "the download of the drivers." You should be able to install windows first, then install the drivers later. This is what I did with my clean install of the windows 8 operating system. I believe this is still true. "See Install Windows support software" in the Install Windows on your Mac.

If you are having network problems, can you continue the install without having the "Download the latest Windows support software for Apple" box checked off?

If you do get windows to install without the downloaded drivers installed, you will need to be able to boot back to OS X. This can be done by holding down the option key at startup, then selecting OS X. Once, the drivers are installed, you will be able to do this from the desktop.