How to run Windows (and software that will only run on Windows) on a Mac

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This is a high-level overview of running Windows on a macOS device.  This is not intended as a fully detailed walkthrough. There are fully detailed guides findable via web-searching. If web searching and this article are not enough information, please contact or stop by the iSchool IT Help Desk.

There are two ways to run Windows on a macOS device:

  1. Apple Boot Camp
  2. Virtual Machine (VM) software

Either method requires a full Windows operating system installation file before proceeding. Either method can be done for zero-cost, assuming you already have access to a macOS device. If you are a University of Washington student, you can download a full Windows installation file, compatible with either method, for zero-cost, from the Microsoft Azure for Education website:

Microsoft Azure for Education software downloads

Visit this web page for much more information:

University of Washington information about Microsoft Azure for Education

In general, you will want to download and use the most recent, 64-bit version of Windows Education.

METHOD 1
Apple Boot Camp

The advantage of this method is you get to use all of your CPU and RAM for Windows allowing it to run as fast as possible on your computer.  The disadvantage is that you will have to reboot your computer in order to switch between operating systems.

Apple’s Boot Camp Support website has more information and detailed instructions:

https://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

METHOD 2
Virtual Machine

The advantage of this method is you can use Windows in addition to your default macOS environment.

You will need to install one of the software options below.  The software options below, allow you to run a Virtual Machine.

Parallels costs money to obtain. Parallels is relatively easy to use, fully featured, and has detailed online support.  Parallels can be obtained at a discount by faculty, students, and staff, by searching this website: https://onthehub.com/.

Detailed instructions for creating a Parallels Virtual Machine, and installing Windows onto it, can be found by searching the Parallels Knowledge Base:

https://kb.parallels.com/

VirtualBox is zero-cost.  It is also arguably the most complicated to use.

Detailed instructions for creating a VirtualBox Virtual Machine, and installing Windows onto it, can be found by searching the VirtualBox documentation:

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Documentation

UTM is zero-cost.

Detailed instructions for creating a UTM Virtual Machine, and installing Windows onto it, can be found by searching the UTM documentation:

https://docs.getutm.app/

Tips for working with Virtual Machines:

  • Consult the Virtual Machine-software-maker’s documentation.
  • For the best performance, your macOS device should have a Solid State Drive (SSD).
  • Check for updates to your VM software and install them all.
  • There may be some VM settings you need to configure to get Windows to run optimally.  Check the documentation for the software you are using for recommendations.