Have you ever wondered if it is possible to run Windows operating system on a Mac computer?? The answer is yes, and in this post I will show you how to do this using the Parallels Desktop, a software that allows you to create and manage virtual machines on your Mac.
What is a virtual machine?
A virtual machine is a simulated environment that runs inside your main operating system, as if it were a computer inside another. You can install and run different operating systems on a virtual machine, like Windows, Linux or macOS, without affecting the operation of your Mac.
What is a virtual machine for??
A virtual machine can be useful for several purposes, as:
- Test and develop applications for different platforms
- Run programs that only work on a certain operating system
- Access files and resources that are on another operating system
- Increase the security and privacy of your Mac, isolating potentially risky activities in a virtual machine
- Learn and try new operating systems without having to format or partition your hard drive
How to run Windows in a virtual machine on Mac?
There are several software that allow you to create and run virtual machines on Mac, but one of the most popular and efficient is Parallels Desktop. Parallels Desktop is a paid program, but you can download a free trial version by 14 days on the official website.
To install Parallels Desktop on your Mac, you will need:
- A Mac with an Intel or Apple M1 processor
- At least 4 GB of RAM memory (8 GB or more recommended)
- At least 20 GB of free hard drive space
- An internet connection
- A Windows license 10 (you can buy one from the Microsoft website or use one you already have)
After downloading Parallels Desktop, Follow the steps below to install and configure Windows in a virtual machine on your Mac:
- Open the Parallels Desktop .dmg file and drag the program icon to the Applications folder.
- Open Parallels Desktop and click Install Windows or another OS from DVD or image file.
- Select the Download Windows option 10 and click Continue. Parallels Desktop will automatically download the Windows ISO image 10 yes internet.
- Enter your Windows product key 10 and click Continue. If you don't have a product key, you can click Skip and activate Windows later.
- Choose a name and location for your virtual machine and click Create. Parallels Desktop will create and start your Windows virtual machine 10.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Windows installation 10 on your virtual machine. You can customize language settings, region, network, user account, privacy and updates.
- Pronto! Now you can use Windows 10 on your Mac as if it were a normal application. You can switch between macOS and Windows using the buttons on the Parallels Desktop menu bar or using the Command keyboard shortcuts + Table or Control + Arrows.
How to optimize your virtual machine performance?
To make the most of your Windows experience 10 on your Mac, you can follow some tips to optimize the performance of your virtual machine, as:
- Adjust the amount of RAM and processor your virtual machine uses in Parallels Desktop settings. You can increase or decrease these values depending on your needs and the resources available on your Mac..
- Enable Parallels Desktop Coherence mode to integrate Windows with macOS. In this mode, you can run Windows apps on your Mac desktop, without needing to see the Windows interface. You can also access Mac files and folders from Windows and vice versa.
- Disable unnecessary Windows visual features to save resources. You can do this in the Windows System settings, in the Advanced section, clicking on Performance Settings. You can choose the Tune for best performance option or customize the options that you want to keep or disable.
- Keep your Windows up to date and free from viruses and malware. You can use Windows Update to download and install security and system stability updates. You can also use your preferred antivirus program to protect your virtual machine from online threats..
Conclusion
This post, you learned how to run the Windows operating system on a Mac using the Parallels Desktop, a software that allows you to create and manage virtual machines on your Mac. You also saw how to install and configure Windows 10 on your virtual machine and how to optimize the performance of your virtual machine. Now you can enjoy the benefits of having two operating systems on the same computer, without having to sacrifice your Mac.
I hope you liked this post and that it was useful to you. If you have any doubt, suggestion or comment, leave a message below. Thanks for reading and see you next time!