Windows on Mac Q&A - Updated March 22, 2010
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Is there a free alternative to Parallels Desktop for Mac and VMWare Fusion?
Both Parallels Desktop for Mac and VMWare Fusion are available for download with a free trial and are reasonably priced. However, Innotek released a free open source 'virtualization' program called VirtualBox that makes it possible to run Windows and other operating systems 'inside' or 'alongside' MacOS X in much the same way as Desktop for Mac and Fusion.
On February 12, 2008, Sun Microsystems purchased Innotek to 'strengthen Sun's leadership in the virtualization market' and this acquistion has greatly increased awareness of VirtualBox.
Sun describes the program as 'the world's most popular open source virtualization platform because of its fast performance, ease of use, rich functionality, and modular design.' No doubt the fact that it's free has something to do with it as well. Please note that although VirtualBox is free, the license needed to run a version of Windows is not.
Photo Credit: Sun Microsystems
In general, VirtualBox is not quite as full featured as the commercial alternatives, but it still has numerous features including 'seamless windows', shared folders, a shared clipboard, and more. It may meet your needs quite well.
Download VirtualBox for yourself and see. MakeUseOf.com has provided a great walk-through covering installation and configuration of the program that you may find to be useful and ArsTechnica offers an in-depth 'quick look' as well.
If VirtualBox does not meet your needs, site sponsor Other World Computing sells the latest versions of Parallels Desktop for Mac and VMWare Fusion.
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VMware Fusion Pro allows anyone run Windows and hundreds of other operating systems on a Mac, without rebooting. The app is simple enough for new users, and yet powerful enough for IT professionals, developers, and businesses.
Key Features include:
- MacOS Sierra-Ready VMware Fusion Pro lets you launch virtual machines on Macs with MacOS 10.12 Sierra, or safely test the new macOS in a sandbox.
- Built for Windows 10 Full support for running Windows 10 as a virtual machine on your Mac.
- Flexible App Interaction Unity mode hides the Windows desktop so you can run Windows apps as if they were Mac apps; launching directly from Dock, Spotlight or Launchpad and viewable in Exposé, Spaces and Mission Control. Easily interact with Windows apps using Mac shortcuts and intuitive gestures.
- Snapshots With VMware Fusion Pro you can use Snapshots to create a ‘rollback point’ to revert to on-the-fly.
System Requirements: 64-bit capable Intel® Mac (Compatible with Core 2 Duo, Xeon, i3, i5, i7 processors or better).Minimum 4GB of RAM.750MB free disk space for VMware Fusion and at least 5GB for each virtual machine.
Operating system installation media (disk or disk image) for virtual machines. Recommended graphics hardware for Windows DirectX 10 or OpenGL 3.3 includes NVIDIA 8600M or better and ATI 2600 or better.
Host Operating Systems:
- Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks.
- Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite.
- Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan.
- MacOS 10.12 Sierra.
Guest Operating Systems include:
- Windows 10
- Windows 8.X.
- Windows 7.
- Windows XP.
- Mac OS 10.12 Sierra.
- Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan.
- Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite.
- Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks.
- Ubuntu.
- RedHat.
- SUSE.
- Debian.
- CentOS.
VMware Fusion Pro has been touted as being one of the best virtual machine monitors on macOS. It provides agility, productivity and security every day. The app is extremely easy to navigate by users of all levels of expertise.