Which windows emulator is best for mac. Free mac emulator for windows. I have never used Apple computers in my life. Is it difficult to figure everything out there?
Many home computer users, having played enough modern games, in search of “thrills” install so-called alternative operating systems (read, not Windows). Most likely, this is one of the many variations of Linux and it is installed on a separate partition after repartitioning hard drive.
Pragmatic users prefer to use for experiments and work with operating systems virtual machines(for example, VMware Workstation), allowing you to safely run multiple guest operating systems, each in its own virtual machine, without leaving the host OS environment. The advantages of this approach are obvious - it is also safe (the potentially dangerous operation of repartitioning the disk into logical partitions is not performed, the virtual machine uses large files as disks; any failures of the guest operating system does not affect the host OS), and functionality (for example, in Linux there are problems with installing soft modems, and it is difficult to solve them without access to the Internet, this is where a host OS with Internet access comes in handy).
Disadvantages of Using CrossOver
We all love our Macs, even people who don't have it crave it! Screen, resolution, unique neat design, functionality; the list of attractive traits goes on and on. Sometimes these applications are so important to run that we think about switching to another operating system. Difference between virtualization and emulation.
Installing windows applications
There is a fine line between virtualization and emulation. We've selected the 10 best from the lot and hope you find one that's perfect for your needs. Close any open programs and follow the on-screen instructions to install Boot Camp. To find out which version is supported by your boot camp, check out this article.
Distinctive features of full software emulation
That’s all about the software requirements of PearPC, a little about the “iron” appetites of the emulator. A processor with a frequency of at least 1 GHz and 256 MB of RAM is required. For those who value their own mental health, it is recommended to multiply the above numbers by 2, especially the amount of RAM. A modern, fast hard drive wouldn't hurt either.
All applications are stored, persisted and can be accessed from the database. Probably the best thing about this app is that it works even when the user is disconnected. This is the most complex application on our list. The application is completely free! The app is also constantly evolving, so if anything on your system isn't running smoothly, expect it to be resolved soon.
Thirdly, the synchronization between the hardware and the operating system is close to perfection. The best emulator for users who are more "web-oriented". This is obviously one of the advantages. There are some minor differences between the way each program handles these modes, but they work essentially the same way.
After formatting, turn off PearPC, start it again and begin the normal installation.
So that during the system installation process you don’t have to “juggle” distribution disk images, so that the system has enough space on a 3 GB virtual partition, you should select only the basic components, including disabling printer support, localization, and Asian fonts. Everything you need can be delivered in a calm environment already in a working system. For now, it’s better to do as shown in the screenshot:
This is the perfect solution if you just need to run one application and don't really want to bother with everything else. In this case, it may crash or not work at all. Although it is a built-in tool, it must be installed. Close all applications before starting installation. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation. In fact, it will allow you to access any type of application on any device. Applications are stored in a database and centralized.
When the user needs to use the application, it will be streamed on any type of device. The developers of this application are constantly looking for ways to improve it. Additionally, if you need help with this program, there are several members who can help you with your care.
After installing the system, you should get something similar, although in this screenshot an important element of the interface has already changed - the desktop wallpaper :) By the way, the emulator switches to full-screen mode using the + combination (in the best traditions of video players).
And finally - a general perspective (again due to the pathological passion for “screenshotting”). I wish the same for you - not in the sense of pathology :), but in the sense of a similar result:
So, this means that your computer can be running two or more operating systems. Follow the on-screen instructions to install and you'll be ready to use in a few minutes. In this list you will find the best options available. It is simple and can be easily customized, giving you access to a lot of functionality. This virtualization software is suitable for business and home users. With this practical solution, you can access any kind of application on any device.
When switching from Windows to Mac OS, perhaps the most common first thought is - how will I live without my favorite Windows programs?
There are a sufficient number of ways to solve this issue and this is good news! Each method is good in its own way and there are both paid methods and free too. First, you should decide whether you really want to use Win programs under Mac OS? Perhaps now you think this way, but over time, I assure you, Windows windows against the background of Mac OS will seem miserable to you and the search for alternatives will begin in order to move away from Windows systems and forget it like a terrible buggy dream.
It is ideal for new and home users. The reasons for this are variations, including mid-range integrated graphics chips and less customizable hardware, but it shouldn't be different. Luckily, there is a way to do just that.
So smart, those open-minded people source code. Wine benefits from a large open source community for support, which means it will continue to improve and improve compatibility for loads of games along the way. Install it just like any other package file.
Well, while you still don’t have such thoughts and a certain feeling of uncertainty in the selection of alternatives remains, let’s look at one of the good options for launching programs for Windows under Mac OS.
Let's take a little look at the options for Windows emulation and together we'll figure out which option is solved by the utility in the review
- Boot Camp- installs Windows as the second operating system and does not allow you to use two operating systems at the same time. This method The good thing is that Windows uses all the computer's resources to the maximum, in particular, it makes it possible to play.
Apple BootCamp - Windows OS on a separate hard drive partition
You will also need to be comfortable using command line through the Terminal application, an Internet connection and a couple of hours to work through all stages. It's not rocket science, but there is a certain level of patience that will be required. Next page: Your game is running!
Having said that nature means difficulties will arise. Wineskin, of course, will not help you avoid everyone. Having said that, it's great when it works. There are several steps, and depending on the program you want to run, it may not work at all, but it's worth it if you want to combine the speed of dual boot with the convenience of a virtual machine.
- Installation of Windows/Linux etc virtual machines... This method allows you to start Windows in separate window or organize it as a separate desktop. This method is good because we can use several OS at the same time and even switch to Unity mode, which allows you to open Windows programs like regular Mac OS programs, i.e. you will see on your screen open source software, no worker windows desktop. This method is quite good and will suit owners powerful computers. The disadvantages include the inability to install “heavy” 3D games, because The emulator does not fully support your video card. Also, the disadvantages of this method include the excessive space occupied by the emulated system and the “eating up” of a certain percentage of your computer resources (RAM, processor).
Before we begin, you should research the application that interests you. Be careful: if an app is rated "Trash" by the majority of users, you will almost certainly not be able to run it. Ready to watch everything and still want to continue?
Step 3: Software Installation
Don't worry: it will all make sense in the end. After this, you can create a new empty shell, which you should name after the program you want to emulate. Launch the wrapper you created and you will see the first menu. This is the easiest way to get something working. If your program requires installation, don't panic! Once the setup is done, you will need to select the executable file that will run by default. Of course, configuring something doesn't guarantee it will work.
- Installation of Windows emulators. This option is the most optimal if you need to constantly run some kind of non-resource-intensive program, for which there are no alternatives for Mac OS, although today emulators allow you to run “heavy” 3D games (but I have not tested this). Emulators are good because for each program they create a kind of “bottle” in which the program itself is located, as well as vital important files to launch it. This method allows you to significantly save space and resources on your computer.
Having trouble setting up a certain program or game correctly? You will be able to show the contents of the package: do this and you will be able to see the advanced options. There are even automated scripts for proper operation certain games and applications. It's also worth changing your video settings. For example, some full-screen applications will crash if you don't take them to the virtual desktop.
Installing Windows applications on Mac OS X using WINE
For me it was actually more stable than the stable version, but your mileage may vary. "You're contradicting yourself." Have you finished this paragraph? How is Wine different from a virtual machine? So why does anyone use virtual machines at all? Well, first of all, look at how long the above tutorial is. Virtual machines are complex, but they do a great job of simulating running an application in their native environment - because they actually run the application in their native environment.
Today we will introduce you to the third option “Installing emulators in Windows”(later everyone else too).
There are options for paid and free emulators. Free ones usually require a lot of fiddling and figuring out how to use them. In paid ones, it all comes down to simple mouse clicks.
One of these emulators is CrossOver ($60) and is considered the best tool today!
Commercial Virtualization Software
Note. It's a no-frills option, but the price is attractive. File fragmentation between two operating systems. . Virtualization software doesn't have to cost money. There are many free utilities such as. Great for getting you off the hook, but performance is poor, especially graphical performance.
- Productivity is low.
- The software is not particularly user friendly.
The first huge plus of the program is support for the Russian language. You will not have any difficulties using the program and now I will show and tell you everything.
The program does not have outstanding interfaces (outwardly it reminds me of the good old one), because... You know what its main task is. After installing and launching the program in the system menu we see:
Due to the learning curve to get the most out of the software.
- Excellent performance.
- Lots of high quality features.
- Cost of money.
Installing and configuring PearPC for Windows
Many modern, patch-protected versions of software, such as web browsers, don't even install on it. The disadvantage of a dual boot system should also not be dismissed out of hand: operating systems can only run one at a time.
Let's try to take any example program, for example the VKMusic program for Windows. Download installation file VKMusic_4.45.exe
Next, in the system menu, select “Configure” and “Install software”
Launch of an art gallery. Grand cross: compatibility. Especially new programs based heavily. In addition, the first setting for many programs is not suitable due to non-expert settings. The first option gives you the best performance you can get, while last option much easier.
So which installation method should you choose? This utility contains a set of drivers for almost every hardware. Since it comes with a set of useful disk management tools, you can be sure that it will quickly become one of the most popular applications on your computer. This means that not all programs will work on both.
This window opens. There is a lot in the list of supported programs. You can bother and pay attention to it. Even if the program you want to install is not in the list, you will still install it and it will work, but for this it is important to scroll down the list and in the " tab Unsupported applications" choose " Other Application"
In this article, we'll look at each of them in detail, helping you understand when and how to use them. Virtualization is a method that allows you to run one system inside another.
Important: Although this is a great feature, the virtualizer tends to consume a lot of computer memory.
When we talk about the emulator, everything seems perfect, but as we have already mentioned, there are still many incompatibilities that need to be taken into account while adopting the system. Some emulator tips. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that it will work. To find out which one is best for your needs, we ran tests comparing them to overall performance and specific tasks.
Next, go to the “Select an installer” section.
I think comments here will be unnecessary. We simply indicate the path to the program installation file, in our case VKMusic_4.45.exe in the Finder.
pay attention to the label exe file, it is in the form of the CrossOver logo. In fact, to install the program, you could immediately click on it and it would automatically install, however, my task is to introduce you to the program so that you can navigate it.
Installing Linux on MacBook
Specific types of performance. While they were roughly the same in general use, there are three specific situations where the biggest differences arise. Both programs support "bootable" virtual applications of pre-configured operating systems, usually bundled with specific applications. Purchase and license Both have in-house prices of R$180, but in both cases the values are something of a moving target.
There is a huge hidden cost at these prices: the software license. Installation and general work. The most important thing is that when you exit the software, the extensions are disabled. So which virtualization solution should you buy? So it's a good idea to download a trial version of each and see how they handle your specific needs. At the end of the evaluation period, the system will prompt you to enter a license key. Enter your purchased license key when prompted to unlock the "unlimited" full version of the software.
So, you have selected the installation file. Now you can safely press the “Install” button in the very bottom right corner and CrossOver will create separate bottle and will install it into it. However! Before installation, you have the opportunity to select the axis under which the program runs (xp, win2000, etc.), as well as rename the bottle itself. To do this, go to the section “Select a bottle into which to install”
Here you choose which OS your program runs under and enter the name of the bottle.
If you have installed games before and want to store them in one bottle, then select a ready-made bottle with the game and program installed.
Is it better to create new bottles or keep everything in one?
when creating a bootle, as I wrote above, vital system files from Windows are added to it. Of course, a program that takes up 12 MB will weigh 300 megabytes, due to the added system files. If you create new bottles, they will waste the disk space of your HDD, but again, these are all minor things. I prefer not to bother and create new ones every time, so that later I can delete the unnecessary ones with peace of mind.
And here is the installation process itself:
1. A bottle is created
2. The program installation starts in the same way as on Windows. I didn’t recognize the coding of Russian words, no big deal.
just install it like regular program Windows. the path in this case is inside the bottle itself, there is no point in changing it.
Ready.
Now we try to run the installed Windows program:
That's all love is.
P.S
1. A shortcut to the installed Windows program is also added to “Mission Control” Mac OS and looks like a normal Mac OS application:
2. if you need to manually change the internal program files in the boot, for example, transfer game saves to the program folder or something else, this is done simply:
3. Where does CrossOver store bottles?
4. Is it possible to install programs that do not have an installation?
Possible!
In any business, it is important to correlate the final result with the efforts expended to achieve it. So, run the program for Windows on Mac computer Can different ways, and their choice depends on the above ratio.
To run a modern AAA game, it will be easier to install Windows on your Mac right away, rather than having to struggle for a long time with “forwarding” a video card from a virtual machine or selecting the necessary libraries in Wine.
For a medium-heavy work application that does not require heavy graphics load, a virtual machine is ideal.
It is most convenient to run some light or older programs and games using Wine. ABOUT the latter method I want to talk, but first I need to say a few words about the first two.
1. Install Windows OS on a Mac computer
Our Mac drivers call it Boot Camp, but to be precise, Boot Camp is just a set of drivers and an assistant for creating a bootable flash drive.
In any case, Windows installs on a Mac and works with full performance just like on a regular PC. Naturally, this leads to the main drawback - you need to reboot every time in order to get into Windows and run the desired program.
Buy Windows license 10 without leaving home.
2. Using a virtual machine with Windows installed
This method is often called Parallels Desktop, but along with Parallels Desktop there are other virtual machines, the most popular: VirtualBox, VMware Workstation.
A virtual machine allows you to run Windows or other operating systems directly within a running macOS. There is no longer any need to restart the computer, but the performance of the “guest system” as a whole decreases. Without special dances with a tambourine, this method is absolutely not suitable for games, even the simplest ones.
3. Running Windows programs using Wine
In my opinion, this is a very easy to use and underrated macOS option. It is unlikely to be suitable for professionals, but will be useful for ordinary users.
Advantages: you do not need to install Windows; the program can be launched directly from macOS. Performance losses are lower than when using a virtual machine.
Disadvantages: not every program will work, but even in this case you have nothing to lose, just use the first two methods.
What kind of Wine is this?
Wine (originally an acronym for "Wine Is Not Emulator") is a compatibility layer capable of running Windows applications on several POSIX-compliant operating systems such as Linux, macOS and BSD.
Instead of mimicking internal Windows logic such as a virtual machine or emulator, Wine translates Windows API calls into POSIX calls on the fly, eliminating the performance and memory issues of other methods and allowing you to fully integrate Windows applications onto your Desktop.
Lightweight and/or older programs written for Windows work well with Wine. And this is a significant advantage - after all, you have probably encountered more than once when a program found after a long search on the Internet, when launched, displays something like “Power PC programs are no longer supported.”
Alas, macOS has a very short memory - the transition from Power PC to Intel in 2007, various other changes made a lot of software inoperable, which for one reason or another was abandoned by the developers. With Wine, you have access to a huge library of “legacy” software and games.
How to use Wine?
Many articles and videos on the Internet are devoted to various add-on programs based on Wine, which are good and useful in their own way, but are sometimes difficult to learn. You may be thinking: should you waste your time and effort, or should you immediately use proven methods?
Step 1. Install one of the versions of Wine. I recommend Wine Staging.
Step 2. Install XQuartz-2.7.11. We are talking about a native component of macOS, which is currently not preinstalled.
Ready.
Now let's try to run something.
Most of us had a difficult childhood and adolescence behind the PC. Sometimes you want to have something good old on your beloved Mac, for example, pinball from Windows XP. It is called Space Cadet, it can be downloaded from one well-known tracker or obtained directly from Windows in the form of a folder with files, one of which is called PINBALL.EXE.
Open it in Wine and look how beautiful it is:
Everything just works, smoothly, without brakes. This particular game doesn't run that well even in the paid Parallels Desktop, and it runs even worse in the free VirtualBox.
But there is a problem. If you expand the game to full screen, it will lose its proportions. Unfortunately, the Wine developers have not made any tools to maintain aspect ratios in full screen mode.
I resort to the built-in macOS ability to magnify the screen.
Go to “System Preferences – Universal Access – Zoom” and check the box next to “Zoom by scrolling with the modification key. Select this key (for me it’s control).
Now you can enlarge a small program window without losing its proportions. This is an amazingly handy feature for older games. The combination of Wine and this feature makes macOS the best platform for retrogaming overall.
If the program you have is an installer, the conditional setup.exe, you can just as easily run it in Wine and follow all the installation steps.
To run the program, you need to go to the directory specified during unpacking. She is in
~/.wine/drive_c/Program Files (x86)
Where ~/ – your home folder with your username (.wine is a hidden folder, to display it you need to click CMD + period + Shift in High Sierra.) All that remains is to find the required .exe file. You can move the folder with the unpacked program to any convenient location.
Another useful trick to know is to enable CSMT in winecfg settings.
This increases graphics performance in games using Direct3D, but also increases system load, so for undemanding programs it is recommended to keep this disabled.
Available only from Wine Staging. To launch winecfg, you need to launch a terminal by clicking on the Wine icon in Launchpad, and write winecfg. Next, go to the Staging tab and check “Enable CSMT”:
So, with the help of Wine, we wiped away a nostalgic tear by playing Space Cadet for Windows XP. But you can go further and play Space Cadet for Windows 95. This version has a higher resolution, slightly different game mechanics and two additional tables!
And most importantly, it does not work on modern Windows. But it runs on our modern macOS! That's her in the photo above.
With Wine you can run not only casual retro games; I have had great success using the utility for remote network access LiteManager Pro and some others.
Of course, Wine can work with more complex software, but for this you may have to tinker with the settings. Programs like Wineskin will be very useful. It's up to you to decide whether to spend time mastering them.
I love my Mac and I love the ability to run any software on macOS.
Using emulators, using Wine. It's just cool. I want such tools to be built into the system. And although, of course, this will not happen, it is in our power to make sure that more people know about them.
This year the Wine project celebrated its 25th anniversary, and that's saying something!
Hello Khabrovsk residents. Recently I needed to write in Objective C under Mac OS X. My hardware is not the most suitable for all kinds of assemblies, and religion does not allow me to sit completely in this OS. I decided to install Mac OS X on a Qemu virtual machine in Linux.
Here's a list of everything I used:
-Gentoo Linux 64 bit
-Qemu 0.10.5
-KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) 88-r1
-KVM support in the Linux kernel
-Intel-enabled processor Virtualization Technology
(in my case it's Core2Duo E6400)
-Linux kernel>=2.6.20
-Assembly Mac OS X iATKOS v7 (Leopard 10.5.7)
Let's move on to configuration, you need to add KVM in the kernel. Download the sources, unpack, launch make menuconfig:
Processor type and features->Paravirtualized guest support
We note:
-KVM paravirtualized clock
-KVM Guest support
-Paravirtualization layer for spinlocks
Next, a new Virtualization option appears in the kernel configuration root
Let's go there and note:
-Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) support
-KVM for Intel processors support
-KVM trace support
-PCI driver for virtio devices
-Virtio balloon driver
We assemble, install, and reboot with the new kernel.
Now install Qemu with KVM support, and KVM itself
USE="kvm" emerge qemu
emerge kvm
Now let's move on to shamanism with a virtual machine.
Create a virtual HDD:
qemu-img create -f raw macos.disk 30G
If we are going to run Qemu not as root, we need to give rights to other users to read/write to the device /dev/kvm:
chmod 0666 /dev/kvm
Let's launch:
kvm -boot d -hda macos.disk -m 900 -net nic,model=rtl8139 -net tap -usb -no-reboot -no-shutdown -vga std -cpu core2duo -cdrom 10.5.7.iso
-hda path to our virtual hard disk
-cdrom let to the image
-no-shutdown -no-reboot necessary so that in case of an error the emulator window “freezes” and the error can be read
-net nic,model=rtl8139 emulate network card Realtek 8139
-net tap to guest system I saw on the hosting network you need a TAP device
-m 900 amount of memory allocated to the guest system
-boot d boot from seedrom
-usb USB support
-cpu core2duo Core2Duo processor emulation
Loading the disk. We mark the hard drive using Disk Utility(select from the menu above).
Setting up drivers.
Before you press the button Install pay attention to the button Customize
Things we need to choose:
x86 ACPI
Disabler
OHR
Remove TyMCE
CardBus
USB
Intel SATA/IDE
Kernels
Apple PS/2
Can be installed. We wait about 30 minutes.
Mac OS X is installed, setting up.
Now in the launch line we change -boot d to -boot c to boot from the hard drive.
Loading up. Now we need to come up with something with the network.
Searching on the Internet PCGenRTL8139Ethernet.kext, install it, very easy to install using the kextinstaller program. While there is no network, the necessary files can be transferred to the system via a flash drive, for example, add -hdb /dev/sdb(path to the flash drive device)
Reboot the guest OS.
Now for the network to work in Mac OS X, you need to go to network management, select the Ethernet device, turn it off (Off), and then turn it on and configure the desired IP (for example, 192.168.1.1), and configure the tap0 device in the hosting system:
ifconfig tap0 192.168.1.2
Windows program, you will have to use third party software. The most popular solution is the free Wine emulator. He's different high performance, thanks to which programs do not “slow down”. The disadvantages of the Windows emulator for mac OS are that it is not friendly with some applications.
How to use the Wine emulator on macOS?
- For the emulator to work on a PC running macOS, you must first download and install the XQuartz utility.
- After installing it, you need to restart your computer.
- Next, download the emulator itself. This can be done on the official website.
- During installation you will be asked if you need to install additional components. Agree.
- Wait for the installation to complete. After which the software can be found in the following directory: /Users/your_account/.wine. It will be hidden, so use the guide on how to find hidden folders.
- For Windows startup you need to enter the command “wine program.exe” or run the installation file hidden folder in the previous paragraph.
Advantages and disadvantages of Wine
Pros of emulators for Windows:
- No licensed software required.
- This method significantly saves system resources.
- Difficult setup. Before using any software, it must first be configured. This is especially difficult to do with games.
- Compatibility. Some “heavy” applications that take up a lot of system resources may not work correctly or not work at all.
Virtual machines
The output is a full-fledged operating system, only it is located on “virtual” hardware. It turns out that inside one OS another is created, which, when launched, takes away part of it random access memory.
On this moment There are several such virtual machines. They are paid and free. For the most part, they are no different from each other. Except that the free ones have limited functionality.
How it works:
- Installing an additional OS from removable media or a boot disk image.
- Specifying the number of resources that the secondary OS can use.
- Installing and using applications.
- Switch between systems.
What types of virtual machines are there - top best
- – the most popular paid program. Thanks to it, a hybrid of systems is created. Any applications launch immediately, regardless of which system they belong to.
Photo: Parallels Desktop 
Advantages and disadvantages of virtual machines
Positive points:
- Ability to work with two systems simultaneously.
- Easy to access files.
Negative:
- Lost productivity due to running two systems simultaneously.
- Some applications (usually games) do not work.
What is Boot Camp?
This is a program that allows you to install “windows” on a MacBook. The system will take up separate space on the hard drive and will work independently of the Apple system.
To do this you will need:
- 50 GB free space in internal memory.
- Boot disk with Windows.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Boot Camp
- This method is not resource-intensive, because you can only use one OS at a time.
- All applications and games install and work without problems.
- To switch between operating systems, you need to restart your computer each time.
- There will be no access to files from different systems.
What to choose: Wine emulator, virtual machines, Boot Camp?
If you cannot decide which method to use, then the following recommendations are for you:
- Boot Camp is needed, first of all, for those who will use games.
- A virtual machine is needed when you need to use two operating systems at the same time.
- The emulator is suitable for simple tasks and infrequent use.
Conclusion
There are no people who do not deal with Windows OS. Over time, some Windows users switch to the Apple system. But they still have programs on “windows” that have no analogues on Mac, and which they cannot do without.
There are several solutions to this problem: running Windows programs on MacOS using the Wine emulator, virtual machines or Boot Camp. Each has its own characteristics and disadvantages, and only you can determine what suits you best.
Mak is beautiful from all sides. Usually people fall in love with him at first sight. However, it is worth recognizing that programs on Windows have undeniable advantages: widespread and generally accepted. It is for this reason that Mac users periodically (increasingly less often, fortunately) are forced to get creative and come up with ways to run programs that only run on Windows.
Some services (bank clients and other sites working with digital signature) only support (!sic) Internet Explorer, they may send you a file in some prehistoric format that can only be opened by a Windows program that does not have a Mac version. Be that as it may, such situations arise. And further in the article we will consider all the ways to resolve such situations and summarize in a way that suits almost everyone and always.
1. Virtual machines
Virtual machines allow you to run an entire operating system inside another operating system. On MacOS there are three large virtual machines: , and . The latter has already been discussed in a recent article about.
We can say for sure that if you are willing to fork out the cash, then Parallels is the best virtual machine of these three. Especially for beginners. You don't need to configure anything during installation (and you don't even need to download Windows) - the program will do everything itself. Parallels supports the so-called Coherence mode, which launches Windows in a Mac window. Moreover, regular Win applications can be docked. And run win files directly from Finder. In this case, files and applications are highlighted with the Parallels logo.
I must say that I personally use Parallels. I won’t talk about VMware for the reason that when choosing a virtual machine for myself, I realized that “Parallels” is currently head and shoulders ahead of VMware and, in general, there is no special choice among virtual machines.
The only negative is, of course, the price. The program has only paid versions and the cheapest (home) will cost you (at the time of writing) 3,990 ₽
At the same time, VirtualBox is free. But installing it will take a little effort. In addition, the result in VB will not look as beautiful as in “Parallels”, because the latter was made specifically for Mac, and VB is a cross-platform program. If you are ready to get confused and save money, then about installing Windows 8 in VirtualBox.
If you have any doubts (and you don’t have much time), then install the 14-day trial version of “Parallels” and during this time decide whether it is worth the money. If there is money for paid programs definitely not, then VirtualBox - the best choice. On VirtualBox, at the same time, look at articles about and, in fact, . Let us remind you that Win10 can now be easily installed without activation (with a small uncritical functionality limitation).
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2.Boot Camp
While virtual machines allow you to run Win inside a running MacOS, Boot Camp allows you to install Windows directly on the Mac itself. Also known as “dual boot,” Boot Camp allows you to have a Mac and Windows on the same hard drive.
For MacOS you need Boot Camp Assistant and this wizard will guide you through the entire installation process. What the installation itself consists of: an additional (bootable) partition will be created on the hard drive, where Windows will be located and you can then boot the computer from it.
How to install Windows 10 via Boot Camp Assistant
You will need:
- Flash drive or external hard drive of 8GB or more (information on them will disappear, so do not use a flash drive with your dissertation)
- The Mac must be plugged into an outlet. It won't be very cool if it turns off in the middle of the process
- Requires a license for Windows 10
- Connected Internet
1. Download Windows ISO
Microsoft offers Windows ISO files for free download on its official website.
Be sure to read the list of minimum hardware requirements. If your Mac doesn't match them, then don't even try. After familiarizing yourself with minimum requirements, select version ( Windows 10) press the button “ Confirm“.
Next, select the product language (for example, Russian), press the “ button again Confirm“. After this, your system will be checked for compatibility and if successful, you will see download links on the screen.
Select the version with your processor bit (in my case x64) and download the ISO file with Windows.
2. Insert the flash drive
Disconnect all USB devices from your computer during installation. Insert the prepared flash drive or external hard drive.
3. Launch Boot Camp Assistant
MacOS X has a built-in BCA (Boot Camp Assistant) and it will do everything itself, so you don't need any third-party utilities. To launch BCA, open Spotlight (there is a magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner of the screen, click on it), and there enter Boot Camp Assistant. Select program Boot Camp Assistant.
4. Select installation type
Select the first item “ Create a Windows 7 or later installation disc“. Second checkbox ( Download latest software Windows support from Apple) in theory will be checked by default and cannot be turned off. But the third item can be turned on or off by default. Turn off third point ( Install Windows 7 or later). Next press “ Continue“.
5. Write Windows to a USB flash drive
Select the Windows ISO file you downloaded in the first step.
Make sure that the prepared flash drive is selected as the installation disk.
Please note that the flash drive will be formatted during the process and all data on it will be lost.
Click “ Continue“. Another window will appear asking if you are sure you want to continue, because... The flash drive will be formatted and the data will disappear. If you are sure, press “ again” Continue“.
If you are performing an operation on a MacBook, do not close the lid of the laptop. This will send the Mac to sleep and interrupt the recording process.
After everything is finished, you will see the message “Windows has been saved.” Click “ Exit“, unmount and disconnect the flash drive.
Congratulations, you have a windows flash drive for mac.
Running the installer from a flash drive
In order to boot from a USB drive, you need to hold down the Mac boot button. ALT(a boot menu will appear, where you need to select a flash drive). Or, when booting your Mac, hold down C, then the computer will immediately boot from the flash drive.
After you boot from the flash drive, .
So, this was a small lyrical digression on the topic of installing Windows 10 as a second system on a computer. Now let's get back to where we started: is it worth doing and who will it suit.
The main downside to this whole dual boot thing is that you won't be able to run Windows and Mac programs in parallel. Each time you switch between systems, you need to reboot and select the OS. There are benefits to this, of course, and they include greater system performance because Windows can use all of your Mac's resources.
3.Wine
Both solutions above (virtual machines and boot camp) include the installation of a full-fledged Windows with all the attendant nuances. Wine is something else. This is a “pad” that allows you to run Win programs on MacOS and Linux. In this regard, Wine is a much easier solution than Windows installation, especially if you need to use 1-2 popular programs. But as often happens, compromise options have a whole set of limitations and pitfalls.
That's the problem: Wine does not work with all programs. Some will launch and work great, others may throw an error while running, and others won't start at all. First, you can check program compatibility and look for the applications you need there.
And one more problem The problem is that this is not exactly a “box solution” and finishing it can cause confusion among new users.
The second problem can be simplified slightly. The WineBottler program was created for this, and we’ll talk about it.
Choose stable version, download the DMG file.
After opening the DMG file, drag Wine and WineBottler into Applications (the same as when installing any other software not from App Store).
After installation, launch WineBottler and you will see a list of programs that you can install right away, such as Internet Explorer.
To run other Windows programs through Wine, download executable files these programs (.EXE) and run them as follows: right click and Open -> Wine. Yes, I repeat once again that not all programs will work through Wine.
Below is a video about WineBottler in broken English, in principle, everything is clear in it without translation 😉
Wine is good when you need to work with 1-2 guaranteed compatible programs. If the list of programs is wide and changes regularly, then you should choose a different method for working with them.
CrossOver
CrossOver is a paid solution that is also based on Wine.
The application offers a high-quality interface that allows you to simply enter the name of the required Windows program and it will be found and launched. Since this is commercial software, you can count on support help if something goes wrong or you need support for some program that is not on the list.
But compared to the options presented above, CrossOver is a complete compromise and will not suit most users. Again, if you need to run various programs, then it is much easier to do this using a virtual machine. If performance is important to you (for example, in games), then it is better to use Boot Camp. In general, with a price tag of $40, we can recommend this option for highly specialized applications.
Remote access
If none of the options suggested above suits you, then why not try to deal with the problem in a different way? If you have another computer that has Windows installed, then you can use remote access to work on it from your Mac.
TeamViewer is a free and powerful remote access tool. By the way, there was a topic about remote access.
All you need to do is choose a communication method, install it on both computers (Win and Mac), log in to your account on both machines, check the “easy login” box on Win. And after that, you can connect to your Windows computer at any time.
Depending on , you may experience some delays and slowdowns in your work. Yes, and also, the lack of cross-support for hotkeys is a little annoying. You try to switch the language on a Mac in the usual way, but instead of changing the language, all sorts of windows pop up. But on the other hand, if you need relatively fast (and free) access to Windows, then this option may be suitable for you!
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We have studied everything above possible options (if not everything, then write in the comments, we will add to the article). The least-evil option for most people is to install Windows in a virtual machine (option #1). The exception is for users who need Windows for gaming. Using a virtual machine allows you to open Windows programs at the same time as opening Mac applications, all without restarting the computer. And it works much more reliably than Wine. Whether you use Parallels or VirtualBox is up to you. If you don't mind paying for a boxed solution, are not a computer specialist and want to get the best results, choose Parallels. If you are “on a short leg” with a PC, have the time and desire to get confused + want to save money – choose VirtualBox. Results:In fact, if virtual machines are the best choice for the average user, then in general, this does not mean that they are the best choice for you and your tasks. Therefore, let’s go through all the options again: |
