Golliberty

Parallels Desktop for Mac is a hardware virtualization solution for Mac computers with Intel processors. Developed by Parallels Inc., a privately held software company with offices in 15 countries, Parallels Desktop for Mac (referred to simply as Parallels from here on) allows Mac users to. Parallels Desktop is the best way to run Windows on your Mac. It offers lots of flexibility when it comes to which operating systems it can run and it offers a customizable experience to make it your own.

Quick Summary

Parallels Desktop lets you run Windows apps on your Mac. That can be very handy if you rely on certain Windows apps for your business, or have switched to Mac and can’t find alternatives for everything you need.

Is it worth it? If you have Mac apps for everything you need you won’t need Parallels, and if you need just a few non-critical Windows apps a free alternative may meet your needs. But if you rely on Windows apps to get your work done, you’ll need the premium Windows performance that Parallels Desktop provides.

• Windows is very responsive
• Pauses when not in use to save resources
• Coherence mode lets you run Windows apps like Mac apps
• Also run Linux, Android and more

• My mouse became unresponsive once
• macOS and Linux are less responsive than Windows

Parallels Desktop for Mac

Quick Navigation

// Why Should You Trust Me?
// What Is Parallels Desktop for Mac?
// Parallels Desktop for Mac: What's in it For You?
// ​Reasons Behind My Reviews and Ratings
// ​Alternatives to Parallels Desktop
// Conclusion

Why Should You Trust Me?

My name is Adrian Try. After using Microsoft Windows for over a decade, I made a deliberate move away from the operating system in 2003. I enjoyed the change, but still needed certain Windows apps on a regular basis. So I found myself using a combination of dual boot, virtualization (using VMware and VirtualBox) and Wine. See the Alternatives section of this review.

I hadn’t tried Parallels Desktop before. I was provided a review license, and installed version 12 on my macOS Sierra-based iMac. For the last week I’ve been putting it through its paces, installing Windows 10 (purchased just for this review) and several other operating systems, and trying just about every feature in the program.

Version 13 was released last night, so I immediately upgraded. This review reflects my use of both Parallels Desktop 12 and 13, and all of the screenshots are from version 13. Third-party reviews that I reference are all of version 12.

In this review I’ll share what I like and dislike about Parallels Desktop. The content in the quick summary box above serves as a short version of my findings and conclusions. Read on for the details!

What Is Parallels Desktop for Mac?

Parallels Desktop allows you to run Windows apps on your Mac. It does this by allowing you to install Windows on a virtual machine — a computer emulated in software. Your virtual computer is assigned a portion of the RAM, processor and disk space of your real computer, so it will be slower and have less resources.

Other operating systems will also run on Parallels Desktop, including Linux, Android and macOS — even older versions of macOS and OS X (El Capitan or earlier).

What’s New in Parallels Desktop 13?

Parallels has added a number of new features to version 13. According to the release notes from Parallels, those include speed improvements, making GIFs, presentation mode, Picture-in-Picture, Retina display enhancements, etc. Watch this 3-minute video for more.

Is Parallels Desktop Safe?

Yes, it is. I ran and installed the app on my macOS Sierra based iMac and scanned it for viruses. Parallels Desktop 13 doesn’t contain any virus or malicious processes.

Be aware that when you install Windows in Parallels, you become vulnerable to Windows viruses (on the virtual machine and the files it can access), so make sure you protect yourself. A trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security is included, or install your security software of choice.

During my use of the app, my mouse froze once when switching between Windows and Mac. This required a reboot to fix. Your mileage may vary.

Is Parallels Desktop Free?

No, it isn’t freeware though a full-featured 14-day trial is available. There are three versions of the app to consider:

1. Parallels Desktop for Mac ($79.99 for students): Designed for home or student use.
2. Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition ($99.99/year): Designed for developers and power users who need the best performance.
3. Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition ($99.99/year): Designed for IT departments, it includes centralized administration and volume licensing.
4. You’ll also have to pay for Microsoft Windows and your Windows applications if you don’t already own them.

How to Install Parallels Desktop for Mac

Here is an overview of the full process of getting the app up and running:

1. Download and install Parallels Desktop for Mac.
2. You’ll be asked to choose an operating for your new virtual machine. To install Windows, you have three choices: purchase it online, install it from a US stick, or transfer it from a PC. Enter the Windows product key when prompted.
3. Windows will be installed along with some Parallels tools. This will take some time.
4. Your new Windows desktop will be displayed. Install any Windows application software you need.

Parallels Desktop for Mac: What’s in it For You?

Since Parallels Desktop is all about running Windows apps (and more) on your Mac, I’m going to list all its features by putting them into the following five sections. In each subsection, I’ll first explore what the app offers and then share my personal take.

1. Turn Your Mac Into Several Computers with Virtualization

Parallels Desktop is virtualization software — it emulates a new computer in software. On that virtual computer you can run any operating system you like, including Windows, and any software that runs on that operating system. That’s very convenient if you need non-Mac software.

A virtual machine will run slower than your real computer, but Parallels has worked hard to optimize performance. Trusted Reviews ran some benchmark tests and were impressed: “Performance is excellent, with Windows feeling responsive and snappy. I ran GeekBench 3 on both Mac and the Windows virtual machine and got similar scores: Mac OS scored 5,833 in the multi-core test, and the Windows virtual machine scored 5,057.”

But why run a slower virtual machine when you can install Windows on your actual computer using Bootcamp? Because having to restart your machine to change operating systems is slow, inconvenient, and incredibly frustrating. Virtualization is an excellent alternative.

GeekWire’s Daniel Rasmus agrees. “Parallels virtual machines can run almost any operating system, even those that are no longer supported (as long as you have a CD and license key)… Parallels works closely with Apple, Microsoft and the open source community to ensure that Parallels Desktop will not only run their operating systems, but that they run relatively fast in a very stable environment.”

My personal take: Virtualization technology provides a convenient way of accessing non-Mac software while using macOS. If you need regular access to Windows apps, Parallel’s implementation is superb.

2. Run Windows on Your Mac Without Rebooting

You may need to run Windows on your Mac for a variety of reasons. Here are some examples:

• Developers can test their software on Windows and other operating systems
• Web developers can test their websites on a variety of Windows browsers
• Writers can create documentation and reviews about Windows software.

Parallels provides the virtual machine, you need to supply Microsoft Windows. There are three options:

1. Purchase it directly from Microsoft and download it.
2. Purchase it from a store and install from a USB stick.
3. Transfer Windows from your PC or Bootcamp.

Transferring a previously-installed version of Windows is the least-recommended option, as it can lead to

licensing issues or driver problems. David Ludlow from Trusted Reviews explains:

“But there are caveats. Foremost, is that Windows’ licensing prevents you from moving an OEM version of an OS to a new computer, even to a virtual machine. In other words, you can only transfer an old PC if you bought a retail version of Windows.”

“Secondly, Windows 10 doesn’t particularly like being moved, and Windows apps won’t necessarily run. I got a warning when trying to run some apps, such as Edge, telling me that they ‘can’t be opened using the Built-in Administrator account’.”

In my case, I purchased a shrink-wrapped version of Windows 10 Home (with USB an enclosed USB stick) from a store. The price was the same as downloading from Microsoft: $179 Aussie dollars.

I started up Parallels Desktop 13, inserted my USB stick, and Windows was installed without fuss.

Once installed, Windows feels snappy and responsive. Moving from Windows to Mac and back again is fast and seamless. I’ll explain how that’s done in the next section.

My personal take: For those needing access to Windows while using macOS, Parallels Desktop is a godsend. They have obviously worked hard to optimize their software for Windows, as it is incredibly responsive.

3. Switch Conveniently between Mac and Windows

How easy is switching between Mac and Windows using Parallels Desktop? You don’t even notice it. By default it runs inside a window like this.

When my mouse is outside of that window, it is the black Mac mouse cursor. Once it moves inside the window, it becomes the white Windows mouse cursor automatically and instantly.

For some uses that can feel a little cramped. Pressing the green Maximize button will make Windows run full screen. The screen resolution adjusts automatically. You can switch to and from Windows using a four-finger swipe.

Very fast, very easy, very intuitive. Switching between Mac and Windows couldn’t be easier. Here’s another bonus. For convenience, I found myself leaving Windows open even when I wasn’t using it. When not in use, Parallels pauses the virtual machine to reduce the load on your computer.

Once your mouse enters the Windows environment again, Windows is up and running again within about three seconds.

My personal take: Whether running Windows full-screen or in a window, switching to it is simple and seamless. It’s no harder than switching to a native Mac app.

4. Use Windows Apps alongside Mac Apps

When I first moved away from Windows, I found myself still relying on a few key apps. You might be the same:

• You switched to Mac, but still have a number of Windows apps you rely on — perhaps the Windows versions of Word and Excel, the Xbox Streaming app, or a Windows-only game.
• You may still absolutely depend on a legacy app that no longer works on modern operating systems.

It’s surprising how reliant businesses can become on out-of-date software that is no longer updated or supported. Daniel Rasmus from GeekWire explains:

“People working outside of large corporations may be surprised by how much of the world continues to run on old software — some supported, some not. If a financial application relies on an old Windows NT or other legacy framework that doesn’t run on Windows 10, let alone on macOS, the choice comes down to investing in new software and the associated implementation costs, or keeping old hardware in play, or using a virtualization solution.”

Parallels Desktop provides a Coherence Mode which lets you work with Windows apps without dealing with the Windows interface. David Ludlow sums it up: “Coherence turns your Windows apps into Mac ones.”

Coherence Mode hides the Windows interface altogether. You launch the Start Menu by clicking the Windows 10 icon on your dock.

You can search for and run the Windows Paint program from Spotlight.

Paint runs right on your Mac desktop, no Windows in sight.

And the Mac’s right-click Open With menu even lists Windows apps.

My personal take: Parallels Desktop allows you to use Windows apps almost as if they were Mac apps. You can start the from your Mac’s Dock, Spotlight, or a context menu.

5. Run Other Operating Systems on Your Mac

The convenience of Parallels Desktop doesn’t stop with Windows. You can run a variety of operating systems, including Linux, Android and macOS. Why would someone want to do that? Here are some examples:

• A developer working on an app that runs on multiple platforms can use virtual computers to run Windows, Linux and Android to test the software on.
• Mac developers can run older versions of macOS and OS X to test compatibility.
• A Linux enthusiast can run and compare multiple distros at once.

You can install macOS from your recovery partition or a disk image. You can also install older versions of OS X if you still have the installation DVDs or disk images. I chose to install macOS from my recovery partition.

I found macOS significantly less responsive than Windows — I assume Parallel’s main priority is Windows performance. It was definitely usable, though.

Installing Linux is similar. You can either choose to have Parallels Desktop download a number of Linux distros (including Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, Debian and Linux Mint), or install from a disk image.

Like macOS, Linux seems less responsive than Windows. Once you have a few operating systems installed, the Parallels Desktop Control Panel is a handy way to start and stop them.

My personal take: Parallels Desktop can run macOS or Linux on a virtual machine, though not with the same speed as Windows, or with as many integration features. But the software is stable and usable all the same.

Reasons Behind My Reviews and Ratings

Effectiveness: 5/5

Parallels Desktop does exactly what it promises: it runs Windows apps alongside my Mac apps. Running Windows in a virtual machine was convenient and responsive, and allowed me to access Windows apps that I rely on. Windows paused when not in use, so unnecessary resources were not being wasted.

Price: 4.5/5

Although there are free virtualization options, $79.95 is a reasonable price to pay for the amount of work Parallels have put into optimizing performance and integration. The $39.95 option should be affordable to most students.

Ease of Use: 5/5

I found launching Windows and switching between Mac and Windows absolutely intuitive. The integrated approach of displaying Windows software in Spotlight searches, context menus and the Dock is brilliant.

Support: 4.5/5

Free support is available via Twitter, chat, Skype, phone (Click-to-Call) and email for the first 30 days after registering. Email support is available for up to two years from the product release date, though you can purchase phone support when required for $19.95. A comprehensive knowledge base, FAQ, Getting Started guide and User’s Guide are available.

Alternatives to Parallels Desktop

VMware Fusion 8.5: VMware Fusion ($79.99) is Parallel Desktop’s closest competitor, and is a little slower and more technical. A major upgrade is about to be released.

Parallels Desktop 14.0.1 Crack for MAC recently launched by the official information. The latest version now allows user to more then 20 GB for a virtual machine. The latest version now allows user to more then 20 GB for a virtual machine. Parallels Desktop 14 Crack is a software that offers you to run Windows and Mac application side by side without rebooting your system. It is a front-runner global cross-platform solutions and producer of the No. 1-selling computer software for running Windows, applications for a Mac. Parallels Desktop 14 Crack for Mac with Activation Serial Keys. There often comes the need in life of a developer when he/ she has to use more than one operating systems. Parallels desktop 12 serial key.

Veertu Desktop: Veertu (free, $39.95 for premium) is a lightweight alternative. It’s almost as quick as Parallels, but has fewer features.

VirtualBox: VirtualBox is Oracle’s free and open source alternative. Not as polished or responsive as Parallels Desktop, it’s a good alternative when performance is not at a premium.

Parallels Desktop for Mac is the first solution that gives Apple users the ability to run Windows, Linux or any other operating system and their critical applications at the same time as Mac OS X. Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac 4.0 Shell Utilities software developed by parallelscom. The license of this shell utilities software is demo$, the price is 59.99, you can free download and get a free trial before you buy a registration or license. Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac provides the complete essentials for an easy, fast and powerful way to run Windows on your Mac. Parallels’ easy-to-use OS integration and instant data access technologies make Windows programs run seamlessly and Mac-like. With ongoing support for DirectX and OpenGL, many popular games and game engines are supported within Parallels Desktop. Download a free 14-day trial of Parallels Desktop and see if your desired game is supported. What are the system requirements for Parallels Desktop? Note: Parallels Desktop for Mac emulates PC hardware, so operating. Parallels Desktop for Mac is simply the world's bestselling, top-rated, and most trusted solution for running Windows applications on your Mac. With Parallels Desktop for Mac, you can seamlessly run both Windows and macOS applications side-by-side without rebooting. Parallels desktop 12 for mac.

Boot Camp: Boot Camp comes installed with macOS, and allows you to run Windows alongside macOS in a dual-boot setup — to switch you need to restart your computer. That’s less convenient, but has performance benefits.

Wine: Wine is a way of running Windows apps on your Mac without needing Windows at all. It can’t run all Windows apps, and many require significant configuration. It’s a free (open source) solution that just might work for you.

CrossOver Mac: CodeWeavers CrossOver ($59.95) is a commercial version of Wine that is easier to use and configure.

Conclusion

Parallels Desktop runs Windows and other operating systems in a virtual machine alongside your Mac apps. It’s a good option for those who still rely on certain Windows apps for their business, or gamers who can’t live without a favorite Windows game. It’s also a great solution for developers who need to test their apps or websites on other platforms.

If you’ve found native Mac apps that meet all of your needs, you don’t need Parallels Desktop. If you need to run just a handful of non-critical Windows apps, one of the free virtualization alternatives may be all you need. But if you’re looking for best performance, Parallels Desktop is your best option. I highly recommend it.

One of the really useful things nowadays about Macs is that you can run Windows on them if you need to.

Also, many people are Apple product lovers. But, one thing that stops them from buying Mac is that they cannot install all the applications on Mac which they could install on windows. However, developers have made a solution for this problem in the form of Parallels Desktop. https://luckydon7.netlify.app/free-download-parallels-for-mac.html.

This is the only solution if you want to run Windows only applications or games on your Mac (although there are now arguably other better gaming solutions for Mac around).

Since there’s no official Netflix app for Mac users either, installing Windows on your Mac allows you to use the official Windows Netflix app if you frequently have problems streaming Netflix on your Mac.

There are various ways of running Windows on macOS however and some are definitely better than others.

Here are the best ways to install Windows on a Mac in order of ranking.

1. Virtual Machine

A virtual machine like Parallels (also known as a virtual environment or virtualization software) allows you to run Windows “virtually” within macOS.

This option is by far the most convenient for most users because it allows you to use your Mac as normal but switch to a a Windows application at any time when you need it.

You have full access to the rest of your Mac apps while enjoying the convenience of having the Windows available too.

Virtualization software like Parallels have got this off to a tee nowadays with Coherence Mode blurring the line between macOS and Windows so that you can work in both with almost no separation between the two.

The main disadvantage is that you need to purchase virtualization software in order to run Windows and macOS at the same time the best being Parallels.

The main rival to Parallels is VMWare Fusion but we’ve found that nothing comes close to Parallels in terms of ease of setup, use and support.

The good news however is that since the release of Windows 10, it’s become even cheaper to install Windows on a Mac using virtualization software because you can now install Windows on your Mac for free.

This is because Microsoft now allows you to download a free ISO image of Windows 10 and you only need to pay for a license if you want to activate it.

Note that Parallels and VMWare are by far the best virtualization tools for Mac but there is also the free VirtualBox but it’s considerably more complicated to setup and maintain for the average user.

Here’s a closer look at installing Windows using Parallels vs VMWare Fusion.

Parallels desktop 13 for mac activation key. Parallels Desktop 13 Crack is a perfect solution for your computer. With this software, you can reboot your computer, or windows with one click. Business personals use this software. Its main focus to providing a virtual solution for the desktop.

Parallels

For those new to Mac or running Windows on their Mac for the first time, we highly recommend using Parallels because it makes both installing Windows on a Mac and switching between Windows and macOS so easy and seamless.

Parallels was one of the first solutions to run Windows on Mac and over the years they’ve refined it so much that it makes using Windows on Mac a pleasure.

Installing Windows on Mac with a virtual machine used to be a very complex affair but Parallels has now made it easy enough for just about anyone to use.

The latest version of Parallels 14 for Mac has also been optimized for gaming by dedicating 1GB of Video RAM (VRAM) to games and has a 3D engine specifically designed for the demands of gaming.

Parallels also supports all types of external devices connected to your Mac so you can connect a USB, Firewire or Thunderbolt device and access it within Windows.

Parallels also has the advantage that you can run Windows and macOS at the same time whereas with Boot Camp, you can only run one at a time.

Although both Macs and Parallels have come a long way in the past few years, Parallels still isn’t suitable for all games. Games such as FIFA that rely on DirectX 11 or OpenGL for 3D graphics are still not supported.

This is a shame because the latest generation of Macs have Intel NVIDIA graphics cards that are more than capable of handling the demands of DirectX and OpenGL.

For games that require either DirectX or OpenGL, your only option is to install Windows with Boot Camp (see option 2 below).

You can choose to either pay a one-off payment for Parallels of $79.99 or pay $79.99 per year, the advantage to the latter being you get free annual upgrades and you get Parallels Access for free which allows you to access your Mac from anywhere with an iOS or Android device.

Most users will only need the Home & Student Version of Parallels to install Windows on Mac, not the more expensive Pro or Business versions.

Note that if you need to run Parallels on more than one Mac, Parallels only allows you one license per Mac per purchase – you cannot install multiple copies of Parallels on multiple Macs unless you purchase a separate license for each. VMWare Fusion (see below) does not have these license limitations.

Until May 31st 2019 you can get 10% off Parallels with Coupon Code: PRLS10.

If you want to learn more, check out our full Parallels Desktop review.

Pros:

Very easy to install Windows

Superb integration between Windows and Mac

Excellent for gaming

Fast Startup and Shutdown time

Optimized for macOS Mojave and Windows 10

Cons:

Updates aren’t free

Requires a separate license for each Mac you want to install it on

Doesn’t support DirectX or OpenGL

VMWare Fusion

The other major virtualization software for running Windows on Mac is VMWare Fusion. In our experience, Parallels is more updated for the latest releases of Windows and macOS, easier to setup use and better supported than VMWare Fusion.

However, it’s still a very good virtual environment and worth taking a closer look at.

VMWare Fusion is generally for more advanced users with more customization options and is less geared towards beginners on Mac.

However, over the years it has been more user friendly and is now an equally viable option as Parallels for general users. In fact, all of the above applies to VMWare Fusion with a few small differences.

RAM: 2GB of RAM (4GB recommended). Parallels 11 for mac free. download full version. Disk Space: 15GB of available disk space. Processor type(s) & speed: 64-bit processor.

The main difference between VMWare Fusion and Parallels is generally in speed and functionality.

VMWare Fusion isn’t quite as fast at handling Windows on a Mac so if you’re planning on using some memory hogging application on Windows or using it for gaming, you might find it a bit slow.

Parallels is also easier to setup and holds your hand through the whole setup process.

Like Parallels, installation of VMWare is very simple offering. Unlike Parallels however, there’s no option to purchase Windows during installation so you must make sure you have a copy of Windows available when you install it.

Alternatively, if you have a PC already, you can import your current Windows operating system plus files from the PC to your Mac.

Simply install a small application on your PC, connect your PC to your Mac with a network cable and VMWare fusion will transfer all of your Windows files to your Mac.

Finally, connectivity is just as good in VMWare Fusion as it is in Parallels with support for USB, Firewire and Thunderbolt.

You can try a free trial of VMWare before deciding whether to purchase it

Pros:

Easy to setup Windows on a Mac

Superb integration between Windows and Mac

Doesn’t require a separate license for each Mac installed on

No account needed to use free trial

Optimized for macOS Mojave and Windows 10

Cons:

Doesn’t provide any way to download or purchase Windows during install

Slightly slower than Parallels especially for gaming

Doesn’t support DirectX or OpenGL

2. Apple Boot Camp

By far the most popular alternative to installing Windows with a virtualization software is by using Apple Boot Camp.

Boot Camp is a free tool in macOS which allows you to install Windows on a partition on your Mac hard drive so you can choose whether to boot your Mac in either Windows or macOS.

This option is best for those that want to play games on their Mac or run games such as FIFA on Mac which require DirectX or OpenGL as it’s the only way to make these Windows components work on Mac.

Because Boot Camp only allows your Mac to boot in either Windows or macOS (rather than running both at the same time as with a virtual environment) your Mac can devote all of its resources to the high demands of games and other power hungry applications.

The other big advantage of Boot Camp is that it’s free in macOS – just search for “Boot Camp” using Spotlight on your Mac and you’ll see it.

The disadvantage of installing Windows with Boot Camp is that you’re restricted to using either Windows or macOS at one time – you can’t switch between the two instantly like with virtualization software.

Note also that that are some iMacs which can’t use Boot Camp in macOS Mojave.

You can find full instructions on how to install Windows 10 on Mac for free with Boot Camp here.

For most users, virtualization software is the best way to run Windows on a Mac because it’s just so convenient to switch between macOS and Windows in just a click.

3. Wine

No not the alcoholic type, the Windows wrapper. Wine is a free way to install Windows on your Mac but it works by “wrapping” Windows in macOS.

This is hard to explain without getting very technical and boring but it basically allows your Mac to interpret what are called Windows API calls.

However, we only recommend Wine for those that really know what they’re doing and have strong technical skills with Macs. Wine is notoriously difficult to use, setup and many times, doesn’t even work properly for all problems.

If you’re brave enough to try Wine, definitely check out the list of supported Wine applications first to avoid saving yourself a lot of pain.

Pros:

Free to use

No copy of Windows required

Cons:

Complicated to setup for many apps

Doesn’t work with all Windows programs

4. Crossover

Crossover is basically based on Wine but in a far easier to use interface. Unlike Wine, Crossover isn’t free but like Wine, it can’t run Windows programs that are not Wine compatible.

Again, we recommend checking the list of Crossover supported apps and games before buying it although you can also try a free trial.

Pros:

Easier to setup and use than Wine

Cons:

Some Windows apps or games won’t run or work properly

Parallels For Mac To Run Windows From Usb

5. Remote Desktop Software

Another option is to run Windows remotely on another PC and access it on your Mac. This involves using a remote desktop application of which there are many on the market.

They all basically connect to a Windows machine and then display the desktop of the PC on your Mac desktop.

This isn’t an ideal solution though because there’s usually plenty of lag between the PC, Mac or mobile device you’re connecting to and your Mac.

It’s also limited in what you can actually do – you can usually drag files and folders, open documents and save files but it’s certainly not suitable for playing games.

For a look at some of the options available, check out our guide to the best remote desktop tools for Mac.

Pros:

Lots of apps to help you connect to a Windows machine

Easy to use once setup

Cons:

Can be lots of lag

Definitely not suitable for gaming

6. Frame

Frame doesn’t actually run Windows on your Mac but it does allow you to access Windows applications remotely and use them on your Mac in your browser.

Frame uses the same principle as remote desktop software by hosting Windows and Windows applications in the Cloud and then giving you access to them via your browser.

You can’t actually use Windows but you can use some Windows based applications using Frame. Frame is particularly popular for accessing Windows only CAD applications on Mac such as Solidworks.

The main drawback of Frame is that it doesn’t actually give you access to Windows, it’s Cloud based so requires an internet connection and it’s not cheap with plans starting at $20 per user per month.

Pros:

Nothing to install, all Cloud based

Use a wide range of Windows applications

Cons:

Doesn’t actually give you access to Windows

Can suffer lag depending on stability of connection

Windows On Mac Installation Checklist

If you choose one of our top 2 choices – a Virtual Machine or Boot Camp, there are some essential things to prepare first to prevent serious problems or disappointments further down the line.

Here are some important things you’ll need before you start installing Windows on your Mac.

A Copy Of Microsoft Windows

Whichever of these methods you choose, you’ll need to download a free Windows ISO image. With Parallels, you can conveniently do this within the setup Wizard by selecting the first option “Get Windows 10 from Microsoft”.

With VMWare Fusion, you need to download it separately from Microsoft and put it on a USB drive or external drive with at least 5GB of space on.

Alternatively, if you have a PC already, both Parallels and VMWare allow you to import your current Windows operating system plus files from the PC to your Mac.

You simply install a small application on your PC, connect your PC to your Mac with a network cable and Parallels or VMWare will transfer all of your Windows files to your Mac.

A Lot Of Hard Drive Space

You need a lot of free hard drive space to install Windows and Windows programs on a Mac.

Virtualization software such as Parallels and VMWare work by “reserving” a portion of your hard drive to run Windows and any programs that you want to install within it.

You can install as many virtual instances as you want (useful for example if you want to install all of Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10) but just one installation of Windows can take anything from 15GB upwards depending on how many programs you intend to install within it.

Microsoft Office for example takes almost 50GB of hard drive space and things such as Adobe Creative Suite take even more.

Remember that apart from the space needed for both Windows and programs you want to install, you need to leave extra space on top to save files and folders.

If you need to clear some space on your hard drive, check out our guide about how to check storage on your Mac and find large files that are hogging valuable disk space.

If you’re really struggling for space, you don’t have to install Windows on your Mac’s internal hard drive – you can also install it on a an external USB 3.0, Thunderbolt or SSD hard drive.

The technology of external hard drives is constantly changing however with new standards, speeds and capacities constantly being developed and we recommend reading our guide to the best external hard drive for Mac before choosing one.

However, it’s recommendable to install Windows on your hard drive if you have space although preferably, your Mac should have an SSD hard drive and if not, you should consider upgrading it to one.

A Fairly New Mac

Finally, you’ll need a fairly recent Mac for Windows to run well. MacBook Pros built within the last 3 or 4 years should have no problem while the MacBook Air may struggle a bit depending on the specs.

A virtual machine will just about work with 4GB of RAM it’s not recommended and you’re much better having 8GB of RAM. You can check your Mac’s specs by going to the Apple logo in the top left corner and selecting “About This Mac”

Tips For Running Windows On A Mac

• Sharing Windows

You can share and move an entire Windows installation and all of the apps installed to another Mac or machine whenever you want.

In fact, if you know what you’re doing you can host Windows and all it’s programs on one Mac and share it with several others to use too.

Installing Parallels On Mac

However, we strongly recommend backing it up to an external drive regularly as if it goes wrong or your Mac crashes or dies, you’ve lost everything installed within Windows.

Note that although you can use Time Machine to back up your Windows VM installations, it will slow down Time Machine due to the huge size of the installation and you’re better backing it up in a separate file.

In addition, when it comes to your saved files and work, we recommend saving them to the Cloud.

That way if your Windows installation crashes or your Mac dies, your work can be more easily recovered rather than having to recover then entire Windows installation.

• Accessing Files On Your Mac

Virtualization software allows you to access files and folders on your Mac. There’s no need to worry about transferring everything into your Windows installation.

You can conveniently access, copy and use folders and files on your Mac from within Windows in a Parallels or VMWare. In addition, you can set your virtualization software to open things such as Microsoft Access, Project and Visio files by default even if it’s saved on your Mac.

So if you double click on a Windows file on your Mac, it will automatically start Parallels or VMWare and open the file in the appropriate application.

• Virus Protection

Windows installed in Virtual Environments on a Mac can still get viruses or malware. Whilst it’s easier to rescue Windows in a VM than on a PC via the use of virtual machine snapshots which instantly roll back Windows to the last clean version, you should use anti-virus or anti-malware software just as you would on a normal Windows installation.

Note that there’s no way a virus or malware can “jump” from your Windows installation into macOS.

Conclusion

Many Mac users still ask why the hell would someone want to install Windows on Mac?

After all, one of the main reasons for using a Mac is that macOS is so much better than Microsoft Windows. However, the fact is that there are many popular applications such as Visio, Access, Project and Publisher that still aren’t available on Mac.

Installing Windows on your Mac opens up a whole new world of applications as well as play Windows games such as FIFA and Cuphead on Mac.

In addition, Macs generally last a lot longer than PCs too so it’s much more cost efficient, not to mention convenient, to install Windows on your Mac rather than buy a separate PC or laptop specifically for running Windows apps which will need replacing in a few years.

For most users, using a virtual environment such is the simplest and most convenient way to go because it allows you to use Windows and macOS at the same time.

Parallels is easily the best at this making it easy enough for anyone to setup Windows in macOS. However, in some cases, for applications or games that require DirectX or OpenGL, using Boot Camp is your only option.

We hope we’ve helped you choose a way to install Windows on your Mac but If you have any questions, issues or problems, let us know in the comments below.