7 ways to run Windows apps and games on Mac

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The idea of combining the incompatible seems crazy only until you need some specific application that is not on the Mac, or until you want to hack into a fresh game hit.

Even the most ardent fans of OS X sometimes need to take advantage of the "enemy" Windows. Situations are different: from the need to use bank clients and corporate software to launching games. There are many ways to run applications written for Windows, using both third-party tools and proprietary Apple solutions.

They can be conditionally divided into three categories: full-fledged installation of Windows, use of virtual machines and emulators of the Windows software environment. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, so we will consider all of them so that you can choose the most convenient one for you.

Installing Windows using Boot Camp

Especially for the unfortunate, unable to break all ties with Windows, Apple has created a utility "", with which you can prepare your Mac to install Windows and, in fact, install it. In this case, a separate partition is created on the disk, which allows both operating systems to work independently of each other.

You need 50 GB of free space and a Windows boot disk. The installation process itself is very simple, you just need to follow the wizard's prompts and wait for completion. After rebooting, you will have a full version of Windows at your disposal, just like on a regular PC. It remains to install the necessary applications or games - and you can use it. For details on requirements and supported versions, see.

Boot Camp Benefits

• Performance. Since only one OS uses all the resources of a Mac, we get maximum performance.
• Compatibility. Full Windows provides full compatibility with any applications and games.

Disadvantages of Boot Camp

• The need to reboot. You have to restart your Mac every time to start Windows.
• Lack of integration. Windows does not support the HFS + file system, which means that it will not be possible to access OS X files from it, as well as vice versa.

Using virtual machines

This method has a lot in common with the previous one, but is slightly different in implementation. With it, we also get a full-fledged OS, but it is installed not on real hardware, but on virtual hardware. Special software (virtual machine) emulates the hardware platform for running Windows, taking away some of the Mac's resources, and it turns out that one OS runs inside another.

There are several virtual machines, both free and paid. By the principle of operation, they are similar, but the differences are insignificant and are more in functionality. Windows is installed from a bootable disk image or physical media. We select the amount of resources that you are ready to share with the guest OS (processor, memory, disk space), and then, as usual, we install Windows and the necessary applications and use them in windowed or full-screen mode, switching between OS X and Windows at any time.

Parallels Desktop

Perhaps the most popular virtual machine among the "macros". is regularly updated, always works with the latest versions of OS X and Windows and has additional features such as hybrid mode, when OS X and Windows interfaces are simultaneously displayed on the screen, and applications are launched regardless of their ownership. In addition, the program can start Windows from Boot Camp partitions, which is convenient if you need to access any applications or data without rebooting.

The disadvantage of the program is that Parallels is not free. The younger version will cost you $ 79.99.

VMware Fusion

Another commercial solution for OS virtualization. The key feature is the exchange wizard, which allows you to transfer the entire environment from your Windows PC to a virtual machine and continue using applications already on the Mac. Installed Windows shares a clipboard with OS X, as well as access to files and network resources. Its applications are fully integrated with OS X features (Spotlight, Mission Control, Exposé). It also supports starting Windows from the Boot Camp partition.

VMware Fusion costs 6,300 rubles, but you can explore its capabilities in a free trial before buying.

VirtualBox

If your plans do not include the additional costs of running Windows applications, then your choice is from Oracle. Compared to paid counterparts, it has much less capabilities, but it is quite suitable for simple tasks. You shouldn't count on integration with OS X system functions, but basic things like a shared clipboard and access to network resources are available here. VirtualBox's free nature fully justifies all its limitations.

Benefits of virtual machines

• Simultaneous operation of two operating systems. You don't need to restart your Mac to run Windows applications.
• File sharing. Since Windows runs inside OS X, there is no file system support issue.

Disadvantages of virtual machines

• Poor performance. Due to the fact that the resources of the Mac are divided between the two operating systems, the performance of applications is significantly slower, especially on not the newest computers.
• Compatibility issues. Some applications (most often games) that require direct access to hardware may not work correctly or may not work at all.

Using emulators

With emulators, everything is completely different than with virtual machines and Boot Camp. Rather, they have something in common with virtual machines, only they do not emulate Windows entirely, but only those software components that are necessary for the operation of the desired application. We will not have a full-fledged OS and access to its functions: we get a certain compatibility layer that allows us to run a Windows application directly in the OS X environment.

All emulators work on the same principle. Application installation is initialized via setup.exe, and then in its process the necessary launch parameters are configured and the necessary libraries are automatically loaded. After that, an application icon appears on Launchpad, which will work in the same way as all native OS X programs.

WineBottler

This emulator can turn an. EXE file into an OS X compatible application. It also allows you to automatically load some already configured Windows applications. It is completely free and compatible with OS X El Capitan.

Wineskin

Another emulator that, like the previous one, uses the Wine libraries to create ports. Compared to the previous solution, it has more settings and allows you to more finely set the parameters. We talked about setting up and using it in detail in.

CrossOver

A commercial emulator whose development team has already adapted and customized many popular Windows applications and games for you. has a friendly interface, and also eliminates the need to dig into the settings and deal with possible errors. The only negative is that it is paid. The license costs $ 20.95, but there is a 14-day trial period.

Benefits of emulators

• No Windows license required. Emulators run applications through the compatibility layer, so a licensed copy of the OS is not required.
• Performance. Again, due to the savings in resources that are spent in virtual machines to run full-fledged Windows, we get higher performance compared to them.

Disadvantages of emulators

• Complexity of customization. To use Windows applications, you first need to configure them, and this is not always easy, especially with games.
• Compatibility issues. In some cases, applications (often resource-intensive) may not work correctly or not work at all.

What to choose

What to choose in the end from such a variety? There is no definite answer to this question. In each specific case, you need to build on your needs, but in general, the recommendations are as follows.

• Boot Camp is suitable primarily for gamers, as well as those users who need maximum performance and compatibility with software. Reboot your Mac - and you get a full-fledged Windows computer.
• Virtual machines will help out in cases when both OSs are needed at the same time. We sacrifice performance, but avoid reboots and get good integration.
• Emulators can only be recommended for simple tasks and infrequent use. For example, when a couple of times a month you need to use a client bank or occasionally feel nostalgic about your favorite game.

Choose the most suitable option for yourself, and in the comments tell us for what needs you use Windows applications on your Mac and how you launch them.