While macOS is an operating system specifically used on Mac computers, you can still run it on a Windows PC with a virtual machine like VMware. This will allow you to run macOS alongside the host operating system without restarting. It's ideal for those who want to experiment with macOS or develop macOS apps without a Mac.
But that doesn't mean any PC can be used to run macOS. If your computer doesn't have extra RAM or storage for macOS, the virtual machine may not work properly. That's why I recommend you use a computer with at least 8GB of RAM and 80GB of free storage space.
If you have a powerful Windows computer, follow the steps below to install any macOS on VMware Workstation. If you need the latest macOS Tahoe, follow this guide: How to install macOS Tahoe on VMware on Windows PC?
How to install macOS or OS X on VMware:
- Step 0: Free up space on your Windows PC
- Step 1: Download macOS ISO file for Windows
- Step 2: Download VMware Workstation Pro
- Step 3: Download VMware Unblocker
- Step 4: Create a macOS virtual machine
- Step 5: Format the macOS VMware virtual machine
- Step 6: Install macOS on VMware
- Step 7: Install VMware Tools
Step 0: Free up space on your Windows PC
It's advisable to clean your Windows PC before creating the macOS virtual machine with iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows. This can ensure your installation won't fail halfway due to storage shortages and improve your PC's performance.
This disk cleaner can quickly find all files and folders on your computer or a selected folder and display them based on size, enabling you to remove large files efficiently.
Step 1: Download macOS ISO file for VMware
The first file you need to prepare before creating a macOS VMware virtual machine is the ISO file of the macOS version you want to install. It's a disk image containing all the essential installation files for macOS.
You can create the macOS ISO file with its full installer on a compatible Mac or download the desired macOS ISO file from the following resources:
macOS Tahoe ISO
macOS Sequoia ISO
macOS Sonoma ISO
macOS Ventura ISO
macOS Monterey ISO
macOS Big Sur ISO
macOS Catalina ISO
macOS Mojave ISO
macOS High Sierra ISO
macOS Sierra ISO
OS X El Capitan ISO
OS X Yosemite ISO
Step 2: Download VMware Workstation Pro
The next step is to download and install VMware Workstation for Windows. It has two versions: VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro.
Previously, Only Workstation Player was free for personal use. But VMware has made the full-featured Workstation Pro free for non-commercial purposes on May 13, 2024, and is discontinuing the lesser counterpart Workstation Player. So, I recommend you get VMware Workstation Pro instead of VMware Workstation Player.
VMware Workstation Pro Download
Step 3: Download VMware Unblocker
To run macOS on your Windows PC, you'll also need to get the VMware Unblocker. It can bypass the limitations that block macOS virtual machines from opening on non-Apple devices.
You can download the VMware unblocker from Github, unzip it on your computer, then right-click on the file named win-install.cmd and choose "Run as administrator."
It will open Command Prompt and install the compatibility patch automatically. When the unblocker is installed, you can press Enter to exit the window.
Step 4: Create a macOS virtual machine
With all tools prepared, you can now create the macOS virtual machine with the steps below: (Or you can download the macOS VMDK file to save time)
Step 5: Format the macOS Vmware virtual machine
Before installing macOS on VMware, you must format the virtual hard drive with a compatible format and partition map. To do this:
Step 6: Install macOS on VMware
Now, it's time to install macOS on VMware to experience the new features. Here's how:
- In the "macOS Utilities" window, select "Install macOS" and click Continue.
- Agree to the terms and conditions.
- Select your virtual machine as the destination drive.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the macOS installation.
Step 7: Install VMware Tools
The last step before you can run macOS on VMware is to install VMware Tools. These tools can help you fix graphic issues and get additional functionalities like full-screen support and communications between the host operating system and your macOS virtual machine, such as mouse integration, copy-and-paste, drag-and-drop, time synchronization, etc.
Those are all the processes for installing macOS on VMware. Share them if you can run macOS or OS X on VMware successfully.
For the specific one, we set macOS High Sierra as an example, read install macOS High Sierra VMware.