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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!
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
- built into your operating system
- easy to use — Boot Camp Assistant guides you through the installation process
- puts less strain on your Mac's memory and processing power
- completely free (not Windows of course)
- easy to update
Disadvantages
- you need to reboot your computer to switch between the systems
- transferring data between operating systems isn't easy
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
- you can run both operating systems at the same time
- easy file integration between systems
Disadvantages
- you need at least 8 GB of RAM for Mac to run smoothly
- virtualization apps are not cheap
- updates are not free
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 Mac
1. 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:
- MacBook (2015 and later)
- MacBook Pro (2012 and later)
- MacBook Air (2012 and later)
- iMac (2012 and later)
- Mac Mini (2012 and later)
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:
- Download CleanMyMac here.
- Run the app and click Scan.
- Click Run.
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:
- Visit the Windows 10 disk image download website.
- Go to the Select edition menu and choose Windows 10.
- Click Confirm.
- Choose the language of installation and click Confirm.
- Click 64-bit Download and then click Save.
The ISO file now will be downloaded to your Mac.
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:
- Choose your ISO file and click the Install button.
- Type your Password and click OK. You will see the Windows Setup screen.
- Select your language.
- Click Install Now.
- Type your product key if you have it. Otherwise, click 'I don't have a product key'.
- Select Windows 10 Pro or Windows Home and then click Next.
- Click Drive 0 Partition X: BOOTCAMP.
- Click Next. Windows 10 will be installed.
- When the Setup screen appears, click either Use Express Settings or Customize Your Installation. We recommend you to choose the Customize button and disable most, if not all of the switches.
- Then you'll be asked to create an account. Type a username. You can also add a password if you want.
- Click Next.
- Choose whether you want to use the Cortana personal assistant or not. You can disable it by clicking Not Now button.
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:
- Boot into macOS, launch Boot Camp Assistant and click Continue.
- Choose 'Remove Windows 7 or later version' or 'Remove Windows 10 or later version'.
- Click Restore when you see the Restore Disk to a Single Volume option.
The Boot Camp Assistant will automatically remove Windows from your Mac.
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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Hello, Here I am with the best article which is about How to Run Mac Apps on Windows 10. have you ever think, can we run Mac apps on windows? as you know the Mac Operating System has several handy applications that are the best. but the problem is we can only use Mac apps on Mac computer, I don't think there can be anyways or software that allows us to use MacOS apps. Don't worry, in this article, I am going to guide you the best way that you can use Mac apps on windows.
However, we have the best platforms that give us a chance to run MacOS on windows or to run Mac apps on windows PC. Although you know we don't have any steps to install MacOS on windows without any software, Therefore, we have virtualization software such as Virtualbox, VMware, and Hyper-V. this virtual machine allows you to install Mac OS X on Windows through a driver, image file or USB. Once you installed Mac operating system on your Windows with Virtualbox, after that, you can use or run Mac apps on Windows 10/8/7 PC.
If we compare Mac with Windows then Mac has very handy applications rather than Windows. like, FaceTime, Dropzone, Bartender, Magnet, and many more. Therefore, Windows user prefers to run Mac apps on their PC because Windows doesn't have lots of applications that MacOS has. Moreover, now let's discuss our title without wasting time.
How To Download Windows Apps On A Macbook Air
Why Run Mac Apps on Windows?
The only reason to use Mac apps on windows is, some people don't have the Mac operating system on their PC or they have Windows operating system but they love to use Mac Apps. In this case, they are curious to learn the steps to use Mac applications.
The second reason can be that Mac OS has amazing apps and handy rather than Windows. Therefore, Windows user wants to install the Mac Operating system through virtualization software and enjoy running Mac apps on their PC. but you might not have an idea how to run and use Mac applications, yeah? you don't need to be worry because this article will help you to learn the best ways to use Mac apps.
Step 1: Create a MacOS Virtual Machine
The first step to run Mac apps on Windows is to create a MacOS Virtual machine, this is the handy and easiest way to install Mac OS on Windows or to use Mac applications on Windows. to know how to get Mac Operating System on your Windows PC click to the link below and get the idea how to install MacOS on Windows and learn how to run Mac applications on windows with this article.
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The installation process is lengthy but don't worry it will help you to get the Mac operating system on your windows. However, without Virtual Machine we don't have any other ways to use Mac apps, due to that, we have to install Virtualization software on our windows and afterward install Mac operating system on your virtual machine.
On virtualization software, you can go with any operating system such as Windows, MacOS, and Linux. to install those Operating system you will need to download their image file, later on, install it on your system. check our website and you will get many articles related to the installation of the operating system on the virtual machine. Once you are done with the first step after that follow the second step.
Step 2: Log in with your Apple ID
To download and use Mac apps on the Virtual Machine is quite similar with the actual MacOS, the same process you will need to do. you have to log in with your Apple ID in order to download Mac apps from App Store. if you don't have Apple ID check the below link and create a new one.
Related Article: How to Create Apple Account
Once you are done with creating Apple ID, afterward, you can start downloading apps from App Store. Therefore Open the App Store from the Dock at the bottom of the screen. After that, search for the Mac application you wish to download and install on your PC. While you find the Application then hit Get and click on the Install button. Wait for some minutes and once the installation is done then open the application and enjoy it on your PC.
With this step, you can download and install applications on MacOS that you installed on windows through virtual Machine. Moreover, the installation of applications is quite easy and it is same with the actual Mac operating system. just you need to install MacOS on your Windows through Virtual Machine.
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Step 3: Save MacOS Virtual Machine Session
As you know you are using MacOS on a virtual machine and whatever changes you make it will be saved on Virtual hard drive. So, do you want to save the current state on your MacOS Virtual machine session? it is quite easy and you want to open MacOS virtual machine and continue with Mac application on your windows.
However, the easy and best way to power off the MacOS virtual machine is from within MacOS itself. In both Virtualbox and Vmware, you have an option to power down on command but the problem is with physical hardware. this can cause a problem, in fact, a sudden shutdown on your virtual machine can corrupt the virtual drive. therefore, to shut down your MacOS in the best way is, go to Apple logo and then click on the Shut down option. this is the best way and it will off the MacOS in a correct sequence.
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Which is the best Snapshot or Power Off?
As you have two options to off your MacOS virtual machine but the question is here which one is the best for your MacOS? However, the snapshot is handy and the best way to save your current state and it will allow you to create a string of snapshots using Apple apps and MacOS.
Otherwise, if you think your MacOS virtual machine has damage and it is not working properly then with the help of snapshots you can restore the virtual machine as the previous state. So, it means snapshot is the best way to choose for closing MacOS.
However, in Vmware you have snapshot option and you will find it on VM > Snapshot > Take Snapshot. Simply select Vm menu from the top and use snapshot. this will shut down your MacOS and it will save the current state of your MacOS.
In Conclusion
With these steps you are able to run Mac apps on windows 10 PC, as you know we don't have any other ways to use apple apps on windows, therefore, with the help of virtualization software, you can start using Mac apps on windows. So, I hope this article was helpful for you and if you have any question and confusion then feel free to ask me in the comment box. furthermore, don't forget to give your feedback about our article.