Mac vs Windows. Windows vs Mac. Why choose if you can get the best of both worlds by dual booting? Install Windows on Mac so you can jump back and forth from one operating system to another on the same computer.
By now, the practice is well-established and Windows can work on Mac well. In this article, we’ll have a deep look at installing Windows on Mac. Don’t worry, we’ll have your back the whole way through!
For most users however, virtualization software is the best way to run Windows on a Mac because it’s just so convenient to switch between macOS and Windows in just a click. No not the alcoholic type, the Windows wrapper. Wine is a free way to install Windows on your Mac but it works by “wrapping” Windows in macOS. Download the PC software you want to run on your Mac. Right-click the PC software in finder. A drop-down menu should appear. Click “open with” and choose WineBottler. If the PC software is included in WineBottler’s application database, the application will run on your Mac.
Boot Camp for Mac vs virtualization software
If you want to install Windows on your Mac, you have two options. You can either use Mac Boot Camp, a native feature of the macOS operating system, or you can use a third party virtualization program. Both methods have their own pros and cons, so let’s dive in.
Boot Camp is built into the operating system of all Macs. If you go to your Applications > Utilities folder, you’ll see the Boot Camp Assistant app. It makes the separate partition on your hard drive for installing and running Windows. Once Windows is installed in Boot Camp, every time you turn on your Mac, you will be asked to choose the operating system you want to run. This means that in order to switch from macOS to Windows, you need to reboot your computer.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Virtualization programs are third-party applications that allow to install a separate operating system on one machine. They run like any other app on your Mac, so you can see the entire Windows desktop within a window on your computer.
Among the most popular virtualization programs are VirtualBox, Parallels, and VMware. Each one has its peculiarities, but we’ll try to sum up what they have in common.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Depending on your specific needs, you can choose the option that works best for you. But we suggest using Boot Camp. It’s a free native feature of your operating system, running directly on your hardware. Therefore, it will be faster than any other method. And below, you’ll find all information on how to run Boot Camp on your Mac.
How to use Boot Camp: Preparing your MacHow To Run Windows Software On Mac For Free1. Check the system requirements
Some versions of Windows require a certain processor and more hard drive space than the others. Therefore, you have to check the documentation that came with your copy of Windows to learn what you need.
You also need to make sure that your Mac is compatible with the version of Windows you want to install. For instance, Windows 10 is supported on these models:
2. Clean up your hard drive
You need to have at least 55 GB of free disk space on your startup drive for installing Windows on a Mac. And if you don’t feel like spending the next several hours cleaning your Mac manually, you can use a powerful utility CleanMyMac X to find and remove all the junk from your startup disk.
CleanMyMac has everything to finish the 3-hour task of cleaning your hard drive in less than 5 minutes. It will scan every inch of your system and remove gigabytes of junk in two clicks. By the way, CleanMyMac finds about 75 GB of junk on average — more than enough for a smooth Windows installation.
Here’s how to clean your Mac with CleanMyMac X:
That’s it! Gigabytes of junk are gone from your computer forever.
3. Back up your Mac
Finally, you should also perform a backup of your Mac in case something goes wrong. Although, it happens very rarely, it’s always better to back up your important data. There are a few methods of backing up your Mac, so choose the most convenient one for you.
You can make automatic backups with Time Machine — software that comes with your Mac. It backs up all data, so you can recover individual files or your entire system from your backups. You may also store files in iCloud and access them whenever you need. iCloud comes with 5 GB of free storage but you can upgrade it any time. If you have an external storage device, you can copy some files and folders on it.
We do recommend you to back up your Mac before installing Windows as it minimizes the chance of losing important data.
How to Install Windows with Boot Camp![]()
Here’s how to install Boot Camp. The installation can be a little time consuming, but it is by no means difficult. Check out the details below.
Step 1: Get a Windows disk image
First of all, you need to get the Windows disk image (ISO file) from the Microsoft website. Here’s how to download it:
The ISO file now will be downloaded to your Mac.
Passport for mac. By default, the Mac computers cannot recognize a, which means you are unable to read or write BitLocker encrypted drive on Mac.You can insert the drive in a PC and then turn off the BitLocker encryption so that it can be read on Mac. In addition, you can access a BitLocker encrypted drive with the help of a third party tool. Otherwise, if you can see the other drive in Finder, the problem is associated with the previous WD My Passport. Solution 3: Check if the WD My Passport is encryptedThe WD My Passport for Mac corrupted or readable issue can also happen if the drive is encrypted by BitLocker.
Step 2: Open Boot Camp Assistant
Boot Camp Assistant guides you through installing Windows on your Mac. You just have to follow the onscreen instructions. To launch the Boot Camp Assistant, go to Applications > Utilities folder. Click continue and Boot Camp for Mac will automatically locate the ISO file on your system.
Step 3: Create a partition for Windows
When you are done with the Assistant, your Mac restarts to the Windows installer. When you are asked where you want to install Windows, choose the BOOTCAMP partition and click Format.
*Note that this step is only required if you’re using a flash drive or optical drive to install Windows. In other cases, the right partition will be selected and formatted for you automatically.
Step 4: Install Windows
To finish the installation, you have to follow the onscreen instructions. Take a long breath — the next 12 steps may seem like climbing Everest, but it’s much easier than you think. Here’s how to install Windows on a Mac:
Windows will boot fully so you can use it normally.
On the Welcome to Boot Camp Installer box, click Next and accept the terms in the license agreement. Then click Install to proceed. When the installer completes, click Finish to reboot your machine.
Step 5: Restart your Mac
By default, your Mac will still boot to macOS. To access Windows, you have to turn your Mac off and then turn it on while holding the Option (Alt) key. You will be asked from which drive you’d like to boot.
Note that while in Windows, the Mac’s Command key functions as the Windows key, while the Option key functions as the Alt key. If you have a Touch Bar, you’ll see a complete set of buttons, similar to the Control Strip in macOS.
How to remove Windows from your Mac
If for some reasons you don’t need Windows anymore, you can permanently remove it from your Mac. Follow these steps:
The Boot Camp Assistant will automatically remove Windows from your Mac.
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Warning: All data, including software and files, stored on the Windows partition will be deleted, so make the backup copies first.
That may seem like a lot of steps, but it doesn’t take all that long to install Windows on a Mac. Now you can enjoy two operating systems and switch between them right when you need. Cheers!
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Sometimes the lines between macOS and Windows 10 seem like a war zone of proponents from either side arguing about graphics, user interface, and program availability. But what if you just want the best of both worlds?
As many of us know, it’s the little things that make us wish we could switch back and forth between the two operating systems. Whether it’s that one program you need for work or your favorite video game that isn’t cross-platform compatible, it’s high time you find a way to be able to continue using your gorgeous MacBook Pro without making sacrifices around the edges.
Can I run Windows 10 on My MacBook Pro?
The short answer to this question is yes, you certainly can.
The longer version? To do so, you’re going to need to spend a fair amount of time setting this up and deciding which method of doing so is most effective for you.
Also, no option is going to be seamless – you will probably lose some performance power due to the way built-in optimization software works.
Is Windows 10 free for Mac?
Unfortunately, if you want to run Windows 10 on your Mac, you’ll need to purchase a license from Microsoft.
If you’ve used a PC in the past, you may not be familiar with this since Windows tends to come preinstalled. But in the same way, as if you were building your computer from the ground up or if you were updating an extremely outdated laptop, you’ll need to buy a copy of Windows 10.
This can be done electronically from the Microsoft Store here, where you’ll receive a product key and download, or you can choose to receive a copy via physical USB. Windows 10 Home starts at about $120, and the Pro version costs about $200. However, both are still cheaper than trying to buy an entirely new computer just to run a few of your favorite things.
Running Windows 10 on MacBook Pro
Once you have a copy of Windows 10 in your possession, it’s time to pick a method for installation. There are two main ways to do this: creating a partition on your Mac with the built-in Boot Camp program or using a third-party virtual machine that creates a tiny version of the Windows OS on top of the normal Mac system. We’ll guide you through both of these.
Method 1: Boot Camp
Bootcamp is preinstalled on your Mac, but most people use their MacBook without ever realizing it’s there. To find it, simply search in Spotlight for “Bootcamp”, and it should come up right away.
When you use BootCamp, your Mac’s hard drive will be split into two sections- one running Windows, and one running macOS. These means that they operate in completely separate spheres and cannot interact with each other. Additionally, the size of the partition you create cannot be changed unless you perform a fresh install to reset it.
Pros:
Cons:
Using BootCamp
Run Windows On Mac App
To use BootCamp, you’ll need to follow a few basic steps:
For a more detailed version of this overview, you’ll want to check out PCMag’s BootCamp walkthrough or head for the official Apple Guide.
Method 2: Virtual Machines
If the idea of rebooting your computer to switch OS doesn’t appeal to you, a virtual machine is always an option. These are ideal in situations where you only need one program or don’t plan on doing many taxing operations on Windows.
In a virtual machine, Windows 10 runs inside an application so it’s like having another computer, but confined inside a single window on your screen. This means you can work in both Mac and Windows at the same time but may suffer a bit from performance issues.
Pros:
Cons:
When it comes to virtual machines, you have a few options, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
The most well-known programs are Parallels Desktop for Mac and VMWare Fusion, which provide almost identical functionality with a few minor differences (such as display resolution or Quick Look support) that won’t make or break your decision. They are priced at the same level for a single computer license and similar setup options. Fusion tends to outperform Parallels, but Parallels is a bit more user-friendly.
A third, lesser-known option is VirtualBox. This software is free, but it doesn’t come with the bells and whistles of its competitors. It doesn’t have the same optimization power or even offers a similar variety of setup options, and it tends to be on the techier side, making it difficult to use if you aren’t invested in learning how (you may be interested in this book: An Ultimate Guide Book on Virtualization with VirtualBox). But if you just need to try out virtualization, it’s a great place to start.
Using a Virtual Machine
To use a virtual machine, you’ll need to go through a similar amount of setup as Bootcamp, but the process varies more depending on which software you’ve chosen.
How To Install Windows 7 On Mac For Free
If you’ve chosen to use Parallels, this guide includes images and should be sufficient to get through the installation process. For VMWare Fusion, their support page includes both a video and text-based tutorial for installation. Those who opt for VirtualBox can follow LifeHacker’s guide to setup since this program’s installation includes a plethora of personalization options you may not be sure what to do with.
Final Words
Running Windows on a MacBook Pro means you get to have your cake and eat it too. It’s a great compromise between systems that let you do the work you need to while sticking with the operating system you know best. While you may see some performance loss and it won’t be quite the same as having a computer completely dedicated to Windows, you do have a variety of options to work with what you’ve got.
On OS X, the best way to almost natively test apps or websites is by using the so called 'iOS Simulator' (now named simply 'Simulator') which is available as part of the installed Xcode Development Tools. So to bypass Xcode for starting the Simulator, I wrote a simple Automator application which directly launches the Simulator.app - you can download it in this post or create it yourself. IOS Emulator for PC: Build and Test Apps with XCode Simulator. 7 months ago. Written by John. This suite of software development tools can be used directly on a Mac OS system or through an iOS Emulator that can be downloaded for your PC. The way XCode is laid out is intended for it to make the end-user easily understand any changes. Feb 15, 2018 To run your app in Simulator, choose an iOS simulator—for example, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, or iPhone 6 + Apple Watch - 38mm—from the Xcode scheme pop-up menu, and click Run. Xcode builds your project and then launches the most recent version of your app running in Simulator on your Mac screen, as shown in Figure 1-1. Ios emulator for mac xcode.
How do you use Windows 10 on your Mac? Tell us about your experience by leaving a comment below.
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