Use Windows on Mac it is a mission far from impossible. The owners of Apple devices they do not necessarily have to give up the operating system developed by Microsoft. Also because MacBooks are perfectly capable of to integrate the use of macOS owner to that of a version of your choice of Windows.
To use Windows on Mac you need to use an emulator or a virtualizer: software tools that imitate the operation internal of the emulated systems. There difference between emulator and virtualizer it depends on a series of technical steps, but the end result is not that different. Furthermore both software need a file ROM o ISO: the virtual equivalents of CDs, DVDs or Blu Rays.
UTM it is an emulator and virtualizer basato su QEMUwhich allows you to install Windows 11 on your Apple Silicon-based Macs. UTM is free and can be used on all MacBooks equipped with M-type processors.
Per check the type of processor mounted from your computer, you can go through the Apple menu. From here you need to select the name item About this Mac.
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1. How to download Windows on Mac and create a virtual machine
The first thing to do to use Windows on Mac is download an ISO file containing theoperating system image. This type of file can be downloaded for free from Microsoft sites.
Then you have to download a software called CrystalFetch, which can be found within the proprietary App Store. CrystalFetch is an ISO downloaderwhich enables the transfer of the ISO file to your device.
The last software to download is the one mentioned above UTM. Then you have to open the emulator and virtualizerselecting the item named Create a new virtual machine.
Virtual machines are not so different from emulators and virtualizers: they are in fact programs that simulate the characteristics and functionality of a physical computer within a digital environment.
UTM could ask the user if they want use a hypervisor, in order to improve overall performance. In this case you must select the name item Virtualize. So you have to select your Windows namein the area that presents the different operating systems available.
At this stage it is very important to check the voice that says Install Windows 10 or later. After that you can click on the name button Browse and select the file ISO of Windows downloaded previously.
Once you click on the item named Continues UTM will ask the user to allocate RAM and CPU cores. The default options proposed by the program are the safest choice for anyone without specific skills in the field.
If your MacBook has a significant amount of RAM, this is possible increase the amount dedicated to virtualization of the Windows operating system. This option he can still come subsequently modified.
Another amount of memory to define is the drive capacity for the boot volume. This entry indicates the limit on the amount of memory that the Windows virtual machine may occupy in the future.
After clicking on the item named Continues all that remains is define a shared directory: an unnecessary step, but certainly useful to simplify file switching across macOS and Windows.
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2. How to install and launch Windows on Mac
To actually start installing Windows on your Mac you need to open the UTM emulator and virtualizer again. Then you need to select the item called Play, relating to the virtual machine created previously.
In this phase you must be careful to react in time when the item called Press any key to boot from CD or DVD appears. Otherwise the virtual machines of UTM may crash. And at this point you would need to restart the app from scratch.
Once this start-up phase has been completed, the installation wizard for the selected Windows operating system begins. Here the configuration process is the same in all respects as what could be followed on a PC.
However, you must be careful to select the item called I don’t have a product code when the system asks you to enter one. Then you need to indicate the volume on which to install Windows. The suggestion is to select the same volume created during the previous UTM configuration. This way no formatting will be necessary.
Installing Windows on your Mac may lead to one or more reboots of the operating system. The user does not have to do anything until he is asked to select the region he belongs to, the keyboard layout and other usage options.
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3. Other methods to use Windows on Mac
As already explained in the previous paragraphs, UTM is completely free software. The emulator and virtualization is surprisingly performant, but still has some limitations of use.
One of the most heartfelt concerns the GPU support, which has direct repercussions especially in the gaming sector. In fact, UTM is not able to launch apps or games dependent on3D acceleration. Furthermore It supports neither DirectX nor OpenGLalthough the software rendering is still functional.
For this reason the most demanding users seek other solutions to use Windows on Mac. A valid paid alternative is Parallels Desktopwhich surpasses UTM especially in terms of fluidity.
Parallels Desktop also provides a speed of execution higher than that of UTM. And it’s better overall in terms of too audio playback and editor.
Furthermore, Parallels Desktop is equipped with a whole series of convenient shortcuts: keyboard shortcuts who come automatically translated from macOS to Windows. And it automatically sets the trackpad of the MacBook according to the rules of the Microsoft operating system.
To know more:
MacOS, features, specifications, names, versions
Windows, features, graphical interface, architecture, update, versions
