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Do you want to run Windows on your Mac computer but don’t want to go through the hassle of creating a separate partition or using Boot Camp? What if we told you that you could easily install and run Windows on your Mac using a virtual machine? At first glance, the idea of running a virtual machine on your Mac to install Windows seems daunting, but it’s not as difficult as it appears. In this blog post, we will guide you on how to install Windows on VirtualBox on your Mac computer.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Install Windows on VirtualBox Mac
If you’re a Mac computer user, you might find it odd to install Windows on your Mac. However, some applications are only available on Windows, and sometimes, the only solution left is to use Windows software to fulfill tasks. In such cases, you’ll want to test Windows services on your Mac’s hardware, but instead of installing Windows as your computer’s primary operating system, you can install it on a virtual machine with VirtualBox.
VirtualBox is a type of virtualization software that allows you to create a virtual computer system within your Mac computer. You can use it to run other operating systems on your Mac like Windows, Linux, and more, without disturbing your computer’s primary operating system or making changes to its settings. Plus, it’s free!
Method 1: Installing VirtualBox on Your Mac
Before you can install Windows on VirtualBox, you need to have VirtualBox software installed on your Mac computer. Here are the steps to follow;
1. Go to the official VirtualBox website and click the "Downloads" section.
2. Locate and click the download link for "OS X hosts."
3. Once the download is complete, double-click the VirtualBox disk image file to start the installation process.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
5. Launch VirtualBox application once the installation is complete.
Pros:
– VirtualBox is free and open-source software.
– It supports many guest operating systems.
– You can run Windows on Mac without changing any settings in your computer.
Cons:
– You need sufficient hardware specs to run VirtualBox.
Method 2: Create a new virtual machine with Windows 10
Now that you have VirtualBox installed on your Mac computer, let’s create a new virtual machine and install Windows 10 OS. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Open VirtualBox on your Mac computer.
2. Click "New" to create a new virtual machine.
3. Enter a name for your virtual machine (e.g., "Windows 10").
4. Choose "Microsoft Windows" as the type.
5. Select the version of Windows 10 you want to install and click "Next."
6. Allocate at least 2 GB of RAM to your virtual machine and click "Next."
7. Select "Create a virtual hard disk now" and click "Create."
8. Choose "VDI" and click "Next."
9. Select "Dynamically allocated" and click "Next."
10. Allocate at least 20 GB of disk space to your virtual machine and click "Create."
11. Click "Start" to boot your virtual machine.
12. Use the "Select a boot drive" dialog box to locate and select the Windows 10 ISO file you want to install.
13. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process of Windows 10 OS.
Pros:
– You can create multiple virtual machines on a single host.
– It is easy to set up and customize virtual machine options.
– You can run Windows 10 on a Mac computer alongside macOS.
Cons:
– Virtual machines can require a lot of resources, which can slow down your computer.
Method 3: Install VirtualBox Guest Additions
Now that you have Windows 10 running on a virtual machine on your Mac computer, you may want to improve its performance. VirtualBox Guest Additions is a software package that can be installed on a guest operating system and enhances its functionality and performance. Here are the steps to install VirtualBox Guest Additions on Windows 10:
1. Start up your Windows 10 virtual machine within the VirtualBox.
2. Click on the Devices menu in the VirtualBox window.
3. Click on “Insert Guest Additions CD image.”
4. A popup window will appear, prompting you to install VirtualBox Guest Additions automatically. Click the "Yes" button.
5. Once installed, click the "OK" button and restart the virtual machine.
Pros:
– Guest virtual machines can directly access your computer’s hardware.
– Enhances the performance of your virtual machine.
Cons:
– The installation process can be difficult for beginners.
What to Do If You Can’t Install VirtualBox Or Windows on VirtualBox Mac
If you find yourself unable to install VirtualBox or Windows on your virtual machine, there are a few things you can try. Here are the fixes:
– Make sure that your Mac computer meets the VirtualBox system requirements.
– Check that you have downloaded the correct version of VirtualBox for your computer’s operating system.
– Use a reliable Windows 10 ISO file.
– Try disabling SIP on your Mac computer.
– Run VirtualBox and Windows installation as an Administrator.
Bonus Tip
Here’s a bonus tip! To make it easier to switch back and forth between your Mac desktop and virtual machine, you can enable "Seamless Mode." This mode makes the virtual machine’s desktop appear within a window on your Mac computer’s desktop. Here’s how to enable Seamless Mode:
1. Click on the "View" menu in the VirtualBox window.
2. Select "Switch to Seamless Mode."
Pros:
– Seamless Mode makes it easier to access both your Mac and Windows desktops.
– You don’t have to constantly switch between two operating systems.
Cons:
– Seamless Mode can cause some performance lag for the virtual machine.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can you run Windows 11 on VirtualBox?
A: Yes, VirtualBox supports running Windows 11 virtualized.
Q2: How much RAM do I need to allocate to my Windows 10 virtual machine?
A: At least 2 GB of RAM is recommended to allocate to the virtual machine for the best performance.
Q3: Can I share files between my Mac and Windows on my virtual machine?
A: Yes, you can share files between your Mac and Windows virtual machine by setting up a shared directory or using cloud storage.
Q4: How can I boot from USB in VirtualBox?
A: You need to create a new virtual machine, attach the USB device as a disk, and then boot the virtual machine from that disk.
Q5: Can I use Windows on VirtualBox for gaming?
A: Running games on a virtual machine can diminish the gaming experience. We do not recommend gaming on a Windows virtual machine on your Mac.
Final Thoughts
VirtualBox is a powerful tool that enables you to run multiple operating systems on your Mac computer. You can install Windows on a virtual machine, thanks to VirtualBox, and use Windows software on your Mac without partitioning your computer’s hard drive. It’s a convenient solution that saves time and money. With this guide, you can install and set up a Windows 10 virtual machine on your Mac with ease.