25 March 2017, 13:58
VMware Workstation Player (formerly known as Player Pro) is a desktop virtualization application that is available for free for personal use. A Commercial License can be applied to enable Workstation Player to run Restricted Virtual Machines created by VMware Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro. For windows you can download an evaluation copy of windows 10 Enterprise which is a 90 day eval or you can download a windows server which is a 180 day eval from this link. If you need to know how to create a virtual machine, you can check my vid.
VMware Fusion: Powerfully Simple Virtual Machines for Mac. VMware Fusion gives Mac users the power to run Windows on Mac along with hundreds of other operating systems side by side with Mac applications, without rebooting. These virtual machines expire after 90 days. We recommend setting a snapshot when you first install the virtual machine which you can roll back to later. Mac users will need to use a tool that supports zip64, like The Unarchiver, to unzip the files. The password to your VM is 'Passw0rd!' View installation instructions.
Recently the folks behind the useful but expensive Parallels Desktop virtualization app released Parallels Desktop Lite, which is available in the Mac App Store. Although it requires an in-app purchase if you want to install Windows as a virtual machine, Parallels Desktop Lite is entirely free of charge if you just want to install Linux or macOS as a virtual machine. It’s also quick and easy to use – a far cry from other methods up until now that have been complicated, time-consuming and of dubious legality.
Here are the steps required to create a macOS virtual machine using Parallels Desktop Lite.
- Open the Mac App Store on your Mac and search for Parallels Desktop Lite. Click to “buy” it and install it (it’s free).
- Remaining in the Mac App Store, search for the version of macOS that is installed on your Mac. For example, if this is Sierra then search for that. Click to Download it, if it isn’t already downloaded. Note that once the download finishes the macOS installer will automatically start, but you don’t need this and can simply click the Quit menu option.
- Open Parallels Desktop Lite and choose the free use option. Its label tells you that this merely lets you install Linux. For some reason this doesn’t mention macOS, but using Parallels Desktop Lite to install macOS is possible – and if you read the App Store description you’ll see it’s mentioned there.
- Next, click the right-hand option in the New Virtual Machine window – “Install Windows or Another OS from a DVD or Image File” – and click Continue.
- macOS will appear in the list, so simply click Continue to carry on.
- You’ll be told a bootable disk image file will need to be created, which is fine – this will happen automatically. Just click the Continue button. The default save location for the image file is OK, so just click Select in the File Open/Save dialog box that appears.
- Once creation of the disk image has finished, you’ll be prompted to give the new virtual machine a name, and choose a location to save it. Once done, click Continue.
- Your new virtual machine will boot, and installation will begin as if you’re booting a new Mac. Select to install macOS from the recovery menu when it appears, and ensure the power is attached if you’re using a portable Mac, otherwise installation cannot continue. Note that there was a weird bug on my MacBook Pro that meant the screen was stretched in an odd way, but resizing it slightly by clicking and dragging the edge fixed this.
Once installation has finished, you can simply click the red close button at the top left of the virtual machine window to suspend your virtualized macOS. Each time you start Parallels Desktop Lite you’ll be able to click the large play button to unsuspend the macOS virtual machine.
For what it’s worth, creating a macOS/OS X virtual machine in this way is entirely legal. The macOS/OS X End-User License Agreement (EULA) provides explicit permission: “… you are granted a limited, non-transferable, non-exclusive license… (iii) to install, use and run up to two (2) additional copies or instances of the Apple Software within virtual operating system environments on each Mac Computer you own or control that is already running the Apple Software, for purposes of: (a) software development; (b) testing during software development; (c) using macOS Server; or (d) personal, non-commercial use.”
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Why would you call Parallels Desktop “expensive”? With Parallels (OR VM Ware), you get fast and reliable windows machines on your Mac for less than $100.-
Get rid of the idea that everything should be for free today!
Get rid of the idea that everything should be for free today!
— EfficientBizz · Mar 26, 12:21 AM · #
How far back can you go with Mac OS versions with this method? Can you do 10.4 for example?
— Scott Siegling · Mar 26, 04:51 AM · # https://renewtop383.weebly.com/blog/work-for-mac.
Scott you can theoretically install many older versions of macOS/OS X but the problem is that the Mac App Store won’t let you download older versions. The way around this is to create a macOS/OS X virtual machine as described above, and then USETHAT to open Mac App Store and download the older versions of OS X. For some reason Apple doesn’t bother checking if you’re using a virtual machine to download them. Then you can copy them off the virtual machine and use them to create virtual machines on your Mac.
— Keir Thomas · Mar 26, 08:33 AM · #
How about installing a more recent version of MacOS than the one you are using? I have Yosemite on my Early 2011 macBook Pro and I would llike to see if Sierra is not too slow to use before upgrading.
— YvesD · Mar 26, 09:46 AM · #
YvesD, yes that would work fine. Malware software for mac. But you don’t get anywhere near native performance in a virtual machine, so your test wouldn’t be conclusive.
— Keir Thomas · Mar 26, 10:08 AM · #
I think Parallels is expensive, too. I like how they often have 80 percent off sales on it. The idea is to get you to buy it and then upgrade when the expensive new edition comes out.
we don’t experct it to be free — just affordable and reasonable in price. It isn’t.
we don’t experct it to be free — just affordable and reasonable in price. It isn’t.
Life is strange for mac full. — Steve · Mar 26, 10:44 AM · #
Once you create a mac vm, is there a way to run that vm in windows via a different virtual machine manager?
— Sirpingalot · Mar 26, 04:05 PM · #
Hi!
Is it possible to install Sierra in a Virtual Machine on a mid-2007 iMac?
Is it possible to install Sierra in a Virtual Machine on a mid-2007 iMac?
— Roger WORROD · Mar 27, 03:34 PM · #
Is there a decent resource for downloading older disk images of macOS, to be used in this fashion?
For instance, I’d like to be able to test older versions of Safari in VMs.
— Brad Bice · Apr 4, 07:03 AM · #
Hi Brad, there’s nowhere online that I know about, or at least nowhere legal (you might find them on BitTorrent websites, for example).
Free Virtual Machine For Mac Os X
However even old OS X downloads are available under the Purchased tab of the Mac App Store. For example, I have most versions of OS X doing back to Lion listed there. As mentioned you can download them and then just cancel the download.
If you can’t download them because the App Store won’t let you then, again as mentioned above, you can download them within a virtual machine.
— Keir Thomas · Apr 4, 08:19 AM · #
@Roger Worrod. I am running macOS sierra 10.12.4 on a MBP late 2008 with a little help (no, a lot of help) from dosdude1. the laptop runs fine, but I installed parallels desktop lite (PDL) to run W10, because I had used the trial version of parallel desktop to run W10, with no problem. PDL refused to start because my hardware did not meet with its specifications. Apparently, it checks the hardware type and year (mine is MBP4,1; 2008) and decides whether to run or not.
— Ola · Apr 12, 01:08 AM · #
Hi Ola Force quit for mac.
Yes, that’s correct – unlike the desktop version of Parallels, which I believe has its own virtualisation engine as well as the option to use Intel’s built-in virtualisation technology, the version of Parallels discussed above – Parallels Desktop Lite – can only use the built-in Intel virtualisation. Although this has been around since 2005 in selected Intel chips I’m not sure when support arrived in Intel Macs. Obviously your model from 2008 isn’t one of those supported.
— Keir Thomas · Apr 12, 01:36 AM · #
I can’t believe you’d go to all the trouble of writing so detailed an article on using an app (Parallels Lite) that won’t do Windows, which is probably the most likely need for virtualization, when there is a mature, stable product that will do everything all the other apps do, is written by a highly reputable company (Oracle) and is absolutely free?
I am referring, of course, to Virtualbox, which I have used for many years to provide me with a copy of Windows so I can run the one or two apps that simply don’t exist on the OS X platform, such as the outdated program that our condo’s gate uses to manage our owners (via a 1200 baud dialup modem no less!). Even with something as exotic (?) as a USB dialup modem, Virtualbox worked flawlessly.
I can’t recommend it highly enough.
— Michael · Apr 15, 02:47 PM · #
I see all my other OS installers in the purchased section of the mac app store going all the way back to mountain lion. The only one not available is sierra but you can download this way
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208202
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208202
— Greg · Jan 18, 12:51 PM · #
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A topic that has interested many users of late is cross functionality of operating systems in purpose-built hardware and one question that I have been asked on several occasions is, “Is it possible to install Mac OS on PC?”. Whilst the short answer is yes, it is, we need to look deeper at how this can actually be done and both the pro’s and the cons of doing it. The process of cross functionality in operating systems involves using things referred to as Virtual Machines and Hackintosh.
A Virtual Machine is a computer program that acts like a genuine computer would be expected to. The program can be run as a window as any other program would be. In essence, It is a computer within another computer. The end game of the Virtual Machine is to give the user the full experience of if they were using the actual operating system itself. These types of programs are usually ring-fenced. This means that the data and software in the program is unable to interact with the machine it is installed on. This generally means software can be used on machines it wasn’t originally intended to be used on and virtually prevents the risk of transmitting viruses and affecting its host hardware. Several of these virtual machines can be run at the same time on the same computer. What you will usually find is there will be an overseeing piece of software that facilitates this. Specific examples of a Virtual Machine could be either VirtualBox or VMware. So now we have a basic knowledge of what a Virtual Machine is and how it works. Let’s move on to Hackintosh.
In simple terms, Hackintosh is the name given to the action of installing Mac OS on PC. So instead of installing Windows, you would install Mac. Whilst running Mac OS on a traditional PC is not supported by creators Apple, with the proper hardware and user knowledge, it can be done. The term “Hackintosh” itself implies that the software needs to be patched in order to run efficiently and correctly. Naturally, some parts of the hardware would need to be altered in some cases as well. Now that we have a brief understanding of both Virtual Machines and Hackintosh, let us go over the pro’s and the cons of both.
macOS Mojave on Virtual Machine
- It is generally easy to install macOS on a PC. The user just needs to download a VMware Image (VMDK) or VirtualBox Image (VDI) and run the program.
- Virtual machines are designed to work with all types of hardware, making them universally accessible.
- Any piece of hardware with a working internet connection (LAN) is able to run a virtual machine.
- Support is available in a variety of languages making it accessible to people who would usually be classed as technologically uneducated, all around the world.
- With the way that Virtual Machines work, you are able to work efficiently, running different operating systems in side by side windows. For example, you could be running macOS and Ubuntu, simultaneously.
- Share your Windows file or hard disk in easily using the “drag and drop” function.
![Free Free](/uploads/1/3/4/0/134052147/788458979.jpg)
- Installing the operating system is simple and straightforward and there are often user guides available.
- Virtual Machines are easy to maintain. Regular updates are supplied by developers allowing users to upgrade their operating software with ease.
- VirtualBox and VMware Player are both available free of charge, making them an even more attractive option to users.
Free Virtual Machine For Mac Os X
- If the user is running several virtual machines simultaneously, this can contribute to an unstable CPU performance.
- Virtual Machines do not support genuine graphics cards. Virtual Machines are not designed to fully support the user’s Camera, Bluetooth.
- The user usually requires a high CPU and RAM to run a single Virtual machine, let alone several at once.
- You will find that your computers audio is not utilising its peak performance when using a Virtual Machine.
- Even when functioning at less than its intended efficiency. It is still more efficient than running Windows 10 for example. You can expect a vast reduction in hardware related crashes and you will find the operating system generally handles better.
- You can enjoy almost fully customisation of your computer. For example, if you don’t want to use the traditional ATI graphics card used by Mac, you could use Nvidia instead.
- Use of a Dual-Boot system. You can utilise both Windows and macOS on a Hackintosh machine.
- It enables a “Try before you buy” culture. If you are someone who has always been hesitant in using apple products. Building a Hackintosh machine is the ideal way to experience Apples operating software before committing to buying it. If you don’t enjoy it, you can simply change it back to a standard PC with virtually zero consequences.
- You are essentially stuck with the parts that you have. The parts that you are currently using are all tested to work together and any attempt to upgrade or change any parts can break your system.
- It is not for beginners. You really need some sort of experience in building computers before you attempt to build a machine using Hackintosh as not all parts work.
- Strange foreign errors. It is important to remember that macOS was never intended to run on a PC. This can lead to frequent and unexplained errors. This again leads us back to the point that Apple support cannot help you with this.
- It is a very tricky set up process compared to that of a PC. You will need to download numerous drivers and add-ons that can easily go wrong if you are inexperienced in this field.
To summarise, although theoretically, it is possible to install Mac OS on PC, I would strongly suggest that those of us that truly love Apples OS, that you invest in a Mac Mini.
A Mac Mini is essentially a very small computer created by Apple that is capable of connecting to almost any standard computer screen. Originally introduced in 2005, the Mac Mini was targeted at consumers switching from traditional PC’s over to Mac. In my opinion it is the ideal computer for anyone who is looking to make the switch from a traditional PC over to Mac but is conscious of their budget.
It features the full Apple software that many of us have come to know and love and comes with the massive benefit of the wonderful Apple customer support we discussed earlier. Users can generally get their hands on a Mac Mini for around $500. The standard cost of a regular PC. Apple recently updated the Mac Mini for 2018. The Mac Mini hadn’t been refreshed since 2014 prior to this and now boasts the 8th generation CPU and a massive 64GB of memory. It’s new eco friendly design is a welcome addition to Apple lovers worldwide and is available to purchase from many mainstream retailers, as well as the official Apple store.