I use my Mac for daily work, but I occasionally require Windows for apps or websites that only operate in Internet Explorer. Windows on my Mac is more accessible than using a second computer.
I’ll discuss Mac Windows installation methods and their pros and cons in this article. Most people think we mean installing a full copy of Windows on OS X. However; there are other options.
Special software lets you run Windows programs on a Mac without installing Windows. Remote desktop onto a Windows Computer on your network without installing anything! Discuss possibilities.
Boot Camp is the most prevalent solution online. It’s free and lets you install Windows alongside OS X on your Mac. I wrote about Boot Camp Windows installation.
Boot Camp makes installing Windows easy, but I wonder if most people can do it without technical knowledge. Bringing a Windows CD/DVD makes it more accessible. If not, download and install Windows ISO on a USB flash drive.
Boot Camp installs a full copy of Windows on Mac hardware and runs it. It’s faster than the other methods below. Install any software using a complete Windows copy.
Windows installation requires 50 to 100 GB of Mac space. Boot Camp is the best procedure to operate Windows on a Mac and use its features.
Virtual machines are my second-best option for installing Windows locally, and virtual machines protect against viruses and promote privacy. Thus I’ve produced numerous articles on them.
You may also try alternative operating systems without dual-booting or triple-booting. Virtual machines are sluggish yet offer several benefits.
Initially, the virtual machine contains everything. Great privacy. Second, if the virtual machine catches a virus, crashes, or anything else, you may reset it to a clean copy of your operating system.
Related: Synology Active Backup for Business Review – Why it’s a must-have NAS Business Solution
Mac virtual machine suppliers include:
VMWare Fusion Parallels VirtualBox
Just these three are good. VirtualBox is free, and Fusion and Parallels are paid. VirtualBox is free, so try it for testing. VMware Fusion or Parallels are worth the money if you want Windows to run smoothly on your Mac with 3D graphics capabilities.
VMware Workstation and Fusion run Windows and OS X on my PC and Mac computers, and it’s quick and permits complete Windows installation. Even with premium products, you can’t do graphics-intensive work.
See my VMware Fusion and virtual machine Windows and OS X installation guides. Virtual machines are also easier to set up than Boot Camp.
An external hard disk or NAS can hold the virtual machine file.
Mac to Windows remote desktop is another method. This solution requires a network connection and no Windows installation.
Configuring Windows for remote desktop connections makes things more challenging. To access your Windows PC from outside your local network, you must forward ports on your router and set up dynamic DNS, which is more involved.
If you’re connecting to Windows on your local network, it’s easy. After configuring Windows, download the Microsoft Remote Desktop client from the Mac App Store, and you’re It.
This approach has the benefit of not requiring any machine installation. Enable remote desktop connections from your Mac to a Windows Computer! One simple Mac software is all you need.
Windows runs smoothly due to Computer hardware. If your network is sluggish, utilize an Ethernet cable for both the Mac and PC and WiFi connections require wireless N or AC.
CrossOver is your last choice. This tool lets you run Windows apps on your Mac without Windows or a Windows license.
This software works with a limited number of Windows programs. Its website lists 13,000 programs. CrossOver-tested programs. Installing unfamiliar apps may cause problems.
Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, and other supports under the program. Star Wars, Fallout, Grand Theft Auto, The Elder Scrolls, and others are supported. It is an excellent option for playing Windows games on Macs.
Remember, it only runs Windows apps. Windows Explorer, Start Menu, and everything else is absent.
Wine, initially for Linux, now works on Macs. Sadly, it takes command-line skills and technical expertise for tech-savvy people only.
You have numerous alternatives for running Windows or Windows apps on your Mac, and each approach has pros and cons, difficulties, and costs.
The best alternatives require an additional Windows license and virtual machine software, which is expensive. If you use both OSes often, it’s worth it. Ask away. Have a nice day!
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