Cannot set BOOTCAMP as Startup using NTFS for Mac in High Sierra and above

Scenario

You get this message when trying to set BOOTCAMP as startup in High Sierra:

Reason

Apple macOS versions since El Capitan 10.11 have a security feature called System Integrity Protection (also known as SIP or "rootless"). It is enabled by default to prevent third party processes from modifying certain system processes, files and folders.

All system options, including "Startup Disk" are also controlled by SIP. So you won’t be able to switch to Boot Camp environment, if your NTFS volumes are mounted by Microsoft NTFS for Mac by Paragon Software.

Solution 1

Use macOS Startup Disk utility.

1. Press "Proceed".
2. Go to System Preferences and choose BOOTCAMP as startup volume in "Startup Disk".

Solution 2

Disable NTFS for Mac, then use macOS Startup Disk utility.

1. Disable NTFS for Mac (NTFS for Mac - Preferences - Disable)
2. Remount NTFS volumes by the native macOS driver (just unmount and mount volumes again).
3. Go to System Preferences and choose BOOTCAMP as startup volume in "Startup Disk".

Solution 3

Use Boot Menu to set BOOTCAMP as a startup.

Follow steps from this article, but select BOOTCAMP. This will allow you to get around this limitation and boot from BOOTCAMP once.

Solution 4

Disable SIP.

1. Disable SIP: Compatibility With Apple System Integrity Protection (SIP) Technology
2. Open Microsoft NTFS for Mac. When SIP is off, "Set as Startup" option becomes available.
3. Click on the "Startup" icon, select BOOTCAMP as default environment, then click Restart.
4. Provide administrative credentials. If the password is correct, the computer will restart to BOOTCAMP.