You can use Apple's built-in Boot Camp software to install Windows on your Mac, which will require you to partition your hard drive in order to make a space for the new operating system. You don't, however, have to partition your hard drive in order to use Windows on a Mac.
You can use a virtual machine instead. A virtual machine is what it sounds like. It's a virtual simulation of a real machine. You can install a virtual machine program onto your Mac and use it to open and run a full operating system like Windows, right on your desktop without having to partition your hard drive at all. You can have both operating systems running at the same time!
One of the most popular virtual machine programs for Mac is Parallels Desktop. It's been around for a long time and is kept up to date with support for the latest computers and operating systems.
Here's how to get Parallels Desktop on your Mac and then install and run Windows 10 from within your macOS operating system without having to switch hard drive partitions.
Check your system and hardware requirements
- Parallels Desktop 10 brings Yosemite support, better Windows-Mac integration. And support for the forthcoming release of OS X Yosemite. Parallels has spent a lot of time fine-tuning performance.
- Parallels Desktop 10 brings Yosemite support, better Windows-Mac integration. By Dan Moren. For example, Windows notifications can show up in Yosemite’s Notification Center, and Windows VMs.
Before getting started with this guide, make sure you have the minimum requirements for hardware. Here are the hardware system requirements to install Parallels Desktop.
How To Run Mac On Windows Guide Step 1: Install the latest virtual technology powered VMWare Workstation which can be done easily by following on-screen instructions. Step 2: Now the real task starts here- Unzip the Unlocker 2.0.8 which you downloaded from second link and then Run the file named “win-install.cmd“.We would recommend that you run the file as Administrator. May 28, 2018 Mac OS X obviously is the supporting operating system. There are different ways to download Mac OSX 10.10 Yosemite on different computer brands. We’ve compiled the steps for a Mac as well for Windows. Downloading Apple Mac OSX 10.10 Yosemite from Apple Store. The users can still find Mac OS X Yosemite Download here and its available for free. If you have already installed Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows 7 on your Mac using Boot Camp, you can set Parallels Desktop to run Windows from the Boot Camp Partition or import Windows and your data from Boot Camp into Parallels Desktop as a new virtual machine.
- A Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel Core M or Xeon processor
- Minimum 4 GB of memory, 16 GB is recommended
- 500 MB for Parallels Desktop application installation
- Additional disk space for the guest operating system (at least 16 GB is required for Windows 10)
- SSD drive is recommended for better performance
- Internet connection for product activation and select features
Your Mac operating system should also be no older than four years.
- macOS Catalina 10.15
- macOS Mojave 10.14
- macOS High Sierra 10.13
- macOS Sierra 10.12
Additionally, your Mac must be able to support Windows 10.
- MacBook (2015 and later)
- MacBook Air (2012 and later)
- MacBook Pro (2012 and later)
- Mac mini (2012 and later)
- iMac (2012 and later)
- iMac Pro (2017 and later)
- Mac Pro (2013 and later)
Before you start: Back up your Mac
This is one of those aweful mistakes that people make, thinking that they don't need to back up their Mac before doing something big. First offf, you should be backing up your Mac on a regular basis, but even if you don't do so multiple times per day, you should definitely do so right now, before you continue with this guide. Seriously. Back it up.
How to run Windows on Mac using Parallels Desktop 15
Of course, you'll need Parallels Desktop and Windows 10 in order to download and install them. Parallels Desktop costs $80 for a standard license. The Pro Edition and Business Edition are both $100 per year. You can either buy a full license right now, or start with the free two-week trial and make your full purchase later.
You'll also need a copy of Windows 10. You might already have a license or you might need to buy a copy. You can load Windows 10 right from within Parallels Desktop and you'll be up and running as soon as the installation is complete.
How to download and install Parallels Desktop 15
Step one is to download Parallels desktop. You can either buy a full license right now, or start with the free two-week trial.
https://tkpotent.weebly.com/kinect-for-mac-el-capitan.html. Once the program is finished downloading, follow these steps to complete the installation process:
- Double-click on the ParallelsDesktop.dmg file to open it (it might be in Finder or on your desktop, you can search for it in Spotlight if it's not easy to find).
- Double-click on Install in the Parallels Desktop window that appears.
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Click Open if you are asked to confirm that you want to install Parallels Desktop.
- Accept the License Agreement.
- Enter the Administrator Name and Password for your Mac when prompted.
Once Parallels Desktop is installed, it will automatically take you to a page where you can download Windows 10. If you already have a copy of Windows 10, you can skip the step. If not, click Install Windows to begin the installation process.
If you already own a copy of Windows 10, click Skip and then click New from the Parallels Desktop dropdown menu. You can then select your copy of Windows 10 from the available options.
After Windows 10 has installed on your Mac, you'll be directed to sign into your Parallels Desktop account. If you don't already have one, you can create one right now.
After signing in or signing up for a Parallels Desktop account, Windows 10 will pop up in a new window. It sort of looks like you're just using a new program or web browser, but you've got a virtual simulation of Windows 10, in its entirety right on your Mac!
Any questions?
Do you have any questions about how to run Windows 10 on your Mac using Parallels Desktop? Put them in the comments section and we'll help you out.
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We’ve made it so easy to get Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop®. Here is the easiest the fastest way of getting Windows 10 running on your Mac with Parallels Desktop, even if you do not have a license for Windows 10. You can now purchase and download Microsoft Windows directly from the Parallels Desktop installation with a few simple clicks!
Note: Before you can install Windows 10, please double-check the following requirements to have the best experience with Microsoft Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop:
- Check Windows 10 system requirements that can be found directly from Microsoft
- Make sure you’re running the latest build of Parallels Desktop
As a new user, you will be prompted by the Installation Assistant to download and install Windows 10 as an automatic download, as seen below:
(Figure A)
https://tkpotent.weebly.com/rise-of-nations-for-mac-yosemite.html. If you select “Install Windows,” this will begin a download of Microsoft Windows 10 automatically.
If you decide to select “Skip” but still need to download Windows 10, you can manually “Add New” virtual machine by following this pathway:
Parallels Desktop > File > New
This will bring up the Installation Assistant that will walk you through creating a new virtual machine.
(Figure B)
In Figure B , “Get Windows 10 from Microsoft” is selected. Once you hit “Continue,” you will be directed to a new screen that allows you to choose which version of Windows 10 you’d like to purchase. See Figure C below.
(Figure C)
In Figure C, you have an option to purchase Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro edition directly from the Microsoft store.
If you already have a Windows 10 license key, you can download Windows 10 as a virtual machine and enter in the license key directly into the virtual machine to complete set up. In Figure B, you’re able to select “Download Windows 10.” Selecting this option and pressing “Continue” will prompt you to the download page for Windows 10, as seen below in Figure D.
(Figure D)
After you select “Install Windows,” your download will begin. This download time is dependent on your internet connection, so it could take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple hours.
Once completed with the above download, you will be able to enter the Windows 10 license key in the screen below:
(Figure E)
After entering the Windows 10 license key, you will have full access to the Microsoft Windows operating system to meet your needs. The Windows 10 OS will show up in your Control Center as a virtual machine.
(Figure F)
In the above Figure F, you can click to start your virtual machine and run Windows on Mac without rebooting.
You’re done! Easy peasy, right? Enjoy using Windows 10 on your Mac to run popular software such as Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, and thousands more.
You’re done! Easy peasy, right? Enjoy using Windows 10 on your Mac to run popular software such as Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, and thousands more.
Here are a few alternative methods for creating Windows 10 virtual machine using Parallels Desktop:
Migrate your PC as a new virtual machine which can be read about here: http://kb.parallels.com/en/123929
Set up Parallels Desktop based on an existing Boot Camp partition: http://kb.parallels.com/112941
Set up a Parallels Desktop virtual machine using an external USB stick: http://kb.parallels.com/123364
Need a Microsoft Windows operating system to get started with your educational software? Buy directly below:
Parallel Windows For Mac Free
Looking to make the most out of your Mac by running Windows through Parallels Desktop? Download a free 14-day trial and get started today!