Windows 10 is a great operating system. It has its quirks and annoyances, but which operating system doesn’t? Even if you’re beholden to Microsoft and Windows 10, you can still shop around.
For the first time in AMD hackintosh history, AMD patches for macOS were released the same day as the OS. This is purely down to Algrey utilizing the Mask kernel patching feature offered by OpenCore. Below you’ll find the updated patches which allow a smooth upgrade to macOS Catalina. I upgraded to Virtualbox 6.1.2 in order to try the new Nested Virtualization support. However, under Settings System Processor, the 'Enabled Nested VT-x/AMD-V' button is greyed out. The machine is a retina MacBook Pro 13', Early 2015 (MacBookPro12,1). It has a Broadwell CPU, i7-5557U. I can confirm that the VMX flag is present.
What better way to do that than from the safe confines of your existing operating system with a virtual machine? This way, you can run macOS on Windows, which is perfect when you want to use Mac-only apps on Windows.
So, here’s how you install macOS in a virtual machine on Windows, making a virtual Hackintosh that lets you run Apple apps from your Windows machine.
What Files Do You Need to Create a macOS Virtual Machine on Windows 10?
Before delving into the “how-to,” you need to download and install the essential tools. The tutorial details how to create macOS virtual machines using both Oracle VirtualBox Manager (VirtualBox) and VMware Workstation Player (VMware Player).
Not sure which to use? Learn more about the differences between VirtualBox and VMware.
You need a copy of macOS, too. Catalina is the latest macOS version. You can find the download links for macOS Catalina in the next section.
This tutorial will focus on installing macOS Catalina in a virtual machine running on Intel hardware, using either VirtualBox or VMware Player.
Unfortunately, I do not have access to any AMD hardware, so I cannot provide a tutorial.
There is, however, the code snippet that anyone using an AMD system requires to boot a macOS Catalina using VMware on AMD hardware.
The process to launch the macOS Catalina virtual machine is the same as the Intel version but uses a slightly different code snippet. You can find the tutorial and the code snippet in the section below.
Furthermore, you will find links to several AMD macOS Catalina, Mojave, and High Sierra virtual machine tutorials, at the end of the article.
Download macOS Catalina Virtual Image
Use the following links to download macOS Catalina for both VirtualBox and VMware.
If the Google Drive reaches its download limit, right-click the file and select Copy to create a copy in your own Google Drive. You can then download the macOS Catalina virtual image from there.
Please note that these links may stop working from time to time. If that is the case, please leave a comment, and I’ll fix them as soon as possible.
After the virtual image finishes downloading, right-click, and extract the file using your favorite archive tool. For instance, right-click, then select 7-Zip > Extract to “macOS Catalina.”
How to Create a macOS Catalina Virtual Machine with VirtualBox
Before creating the macOS virtual machine, you need to install the VirtualBox Extension Pack. It includes fixes for USB 3.0 support, mouse and keyboard support, and other useful VirtualBox patches.
Download: VirtualBox Extension Pack for Windows (Free)
Scroll down, select All supported platforms to download, then double-click to install.
Create the macOS Catalina Virtual Machine
Open VirtualBox. Select New. Type macOS.
VirtualBox will detect the OS as you type and will default to Mac OS X. You can leave this as is.
Regarding the virtual machine name, make it something memorable yet easy to type. You’ll need to input this name in a series of commands, and it is frustrating to type a complicated name multiple times!
Next, set the amount of RAM the macOS virtual machine can use. I would suggest a minimum of 4GB, but the more you can give from the host system, the better your experience will be.
Remember, you cannot assign more RAM than your system has available, and you need to leave some memory available for the host operating system. Learn more about how much RAM does a system need?
Now, you need to assign a hard disk, which is the virtual image downloaded previously. Select Use an existing virtual hard disk file, then select the folder icon. Browse to the VMDK file, then select Create.
Edit the macOS Catalina Virtual Machine Settings
Don’t try and start your macOS Catalina virtual machine yet. Before firing the virtual machine up, you need to make a few tweaks to the settings. Right-click your macOS virtual machine and select Settings.
Under System, remove Floppy from the boot order. Ensure the Chipset is set to ICH9.
Select the Processor tab. Assign two processors. If you have a CPU with power to spare (such as an Intel Core i7 or i9 with multiple extra cores), consider assigning more. However, this isn’t vital.
Make sure the Enable PAE/NX box is checked.
Under Display, set Video Memory to 128MB.
Now, under Storage, check the box alongside Use Host I/O Cache.
Finally, head to the USB tab and select USB 3.0, then press OK.
Use Command Prompt to Add Custom Code to VirtualBox
It still isn’t quite time to fire up your macOS Catalina virtual machine. In its current configuration, VirtualBox doesn’t work with your macOS VMDK.
To get it up and running, you have to essentially patch VirtualBox before the macOS virtual machine will function. To do this, you need to enter some code using the Command Prompt. All the details are below.
Virtualbox Macos Amd
Start by closing VirtualBox. The commands will not execute properly if VirtualBox or any of its associated processes are running.
Once closed, press Windows Key + X, then select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.
If your menu only shows the PowerShell option, type command into your Start menu search bar. Then right-click the Best Match, and select Run as Administrator.
The following code works for VirtualBox 5.x and 6.x.
Use the following command to locate the Oracle VirtualBox directory:
Now, enter the following commands, one by one. Adjust the command to match the name of your virtual machine. For instance, my virtual machine name is “
macoscat .” Here are the commands:
After the completion of the commands, and presuming you encountered no errors, close the Command Prompt.
Boot Your macOS Mojave Virtual Machine
Reopen VirtualBox. Double-click your macOS virtual machine to start it. You will see a long stream of text, followed by a gray screen.
The gray screen can take a moment or two to clear, but don’t panic. Once the screen clears, macOS Catalina will begin installing. When it resolves, you will arrive at the macOS “Welcome” screen.
From here, you can set your macOS Mojave virtual machine up as you see fit.
Pro Tip: Take a snapshot of your virtual machine once it passes the gray screen. If anything goes wrong down the line, you can return to the Welcome screen setup and start the process again.
Once you complete the macOS setup, take another one so you can jump straight into your macOS installation. Head to Machine > Take Snapshot, give your snapshot a name, and wait for it to process.
How to Create a macOS Catalina Virtual Machine Using VMware Workstation Player
Prefer VMware over VirtualBox? You can create a macOS Catalina virtual machine using VMware that works exactly the same as VirtualBox. And, just as with VirtualBox, VMware also requires patching before the macOS Catalina virtual machine will work.
This part of the tutorial works for Intel and AMD systems. AMD users must use the second code snippet when editing the virtual machine VMX file. Read through the tutorial to see what this means exactly.
Patch VMware Workstation Player
In the “macOS Catalina Virtual Image” section is the VMware Player Patch Tool. Before commencing any further, download the patch tool.
Then, browse to the location you downloaded the patch tool to. Extract the contents of the archive. This process works best when the folders are on the same drive (e.g., the VMware root folder and extracted archive are both found on the C: drive).
Make sure VMware is completely closed. Now, in the patcher folder, right-click the win-install command script and select Run as Administrator. The script will open a Command Prompt window, and the patch-script will run.
Do pay attention. The script whizzes by, and you need to keep watch for any “File not Found” messages.
The most common reason for a “file not found” or a “system cannot find the file specified” message is installing VMware Workstation Player in a different location to the default folder, and executing the patch from a different directory.
Once the patch completes, you can open VMware.
Create the macOS Catalina Virtual Machine with VMware
Select Create a New Virtual Machine. Choose I will install the operating system later.
Now, select Apple Mac OS X, and change the Version to macOS 10.14. If you don’t see the macOS options, it is because the patch didn’t install correctly.
Next, you need to choose a name for your macOS Catalina virtual machine. Choose something easy to remember, then copy the file path to somewhere handy—you’re going to need it to make some edits in a moment.
On the next screen, stick with the suggested maximum hard disk size, then select Store virtual disk as a single file. Complete the virtual disk creation wizard, but do not start the virtual machine just yet.
Edit the macOS Mojave Virtual Machine Settings
Before you can boot the virtual machine, you must edit the hardware specifications. Plus, you need to tell VMware where to find the macOS VMDK.
From the main VMware screen, select your macOS Catalina virtual machine, then right-click, and select Settings.
Like VirtualBox, bump the virtual machine memory up to at least 4GB. You can allocate more if you have RAM to spare.
Under Processors, edit the number of available cores to 2.
Now, under Hard Disk (SATA), you need to remove the hard disk created earlier. Select Remove and VMware will remove the disk automatically.
Now, select Add > Hard Disk > SATA (Recommended)> Use an existing disk. Browse to the location of the macOS VMDK and select it.
Edit the macOS Catalina VMX File for Intel Hardware
This section is for Intel users and it involves the final set of edits you need to make before switching your VMware macOS Catalina virtual machine on!
Close VMware. Head to the location you stored the macOS virtual machine. The default location is:
Browse to macOS.vmx, right-click, and select Open with…, select Notepad (or your preferred text editor). Scroll to the bottom of the configuration file and add the following line:
Save, then Exit.
You can now open VMware, select your macOS Mojave virtual machine, and fire it up!
Edit the macOS Catalina VMX File for AMD Hardware
This section is for AMD users. Like the above section, AMD users must also edit the VMX file before proceeding. The AMD edit involves a few more lines than the Intel version, but you can copy and paste the data into the file.
Close VMware. Head to the location you stored the macOS virtual machine. The default location is:
Browse to macOS.vmx, right-click, and select Open with…, select Notepad (or your preferred text editor). Scroll to the bottom of the configuration file and add the following lines:
Save, then Exit.
You can now open VMware, select your macOS Mojave virtual machine, and fire it up!
Install VMware Tools to Your macOS Catalina Virtual Machine
You now need to install VMware Tools, which is a set of utilities and extensions that improve mouse handling, video performance, and other useful things.
With the macOS virtual machine running, head to Player > Manage > Install VMware Tools.
The installation digavsc will appear on the macOS desktop. When the option appears, select Install VMware Tools, then allow it access to the removable volume. Follow the guided installer, which will require a restart on completion.
Troubleshooting
There are a couple of things that can go wrong during the macOS virtual machine installation in VMware Player Workstation.
macOS Virtual Machines for AMD Hardware
Apple uses Intel hardware to power desktops and laptops. Configuring a macOS virtual machine using Intel hardware is easier because the hardware specifications are very similar.
With AMD, the opposite is true. Because Apple does not develop macOS on AMD hardware, creating a macOS virtual machine on an AMD system is trickier.
Adding to this, I don’t have an AMD system to test macOS virtual machines on, so I cannot give you a detailed tutorial. I can, however, point you in the direction of several macOS AMD virtual machine tutorials that do work, so long as you are patient and follow each step accordingly.
The AMD OS X forum is a great resource for macOS virtual machines. You can find many more forum threads regarding AMD macOS virtual machines, too.
macOS Catalina Virtual Machine Installation Complete
You have two options to choose from for your macOS Catalina virtual machine. Both options are great if you want to give macOS a try before making the switch from Windows and enjoy some of the best Apple apps on offer.
You can use a virtual machine to test other operating systems too. For instance, here’s how to install a Linux distro in a virtual machine.
Are you looking to learn more about virtual machines?
Check out our VirtualBox User’s Guide, which teaches everything you need to know, or our guide to creating a virtual machine using Windows 10 Hyper-V.
Read the full article: How to Run macOS on Windows 10 in a Virtual Machine
Microsoft released Windows 10 in 2015 and this is the last version of Windows till now.
However, Windows is one of the most efficient and widely used operating systems that is incorporated with a broad range of amazing features.
However, now with advancing technology, you can even run two operating systems on one computer.
There are several ways to do that, but in this article, we will talk about how you can run macOS on Windows in a Virtual Machine (VM.)
This is a good option if you want to multitask with the creative features of macOS and efficiency of Windows.
Before we start the guide, you must be focused and read the article carefully so that you don’t miss any important point.
Because any kind of negligence will hinder your whole process.
Files Required to Create A macOS Virtual Machine On Windows 10!
Before you begin with the main process, you must install and download the important files. You would also need a macOS copy, and for this purpose, Catalina is the latest version for macOS.
This guide aims to provide you with steps and solutions to install macOS Catalina in Virtual Machine (VM) that is running on intel hardware.
This process may include the use of either VMware Player or VirtualBox.
Download macOS Catalina Virtual Image!
We have provided you with a link at the end of this section, from where you can download macOS Catalina for both VMware and VirtualBox.
When you are downloading macOS Catalina Virtual Machine image file and Google Drive touches its download limit, then right-click on the file and choose COPY to make a copy in the Google Drive of your own.
From here download the macOS Catalina virtual image file.
Moreover, we have provided an alternative link of media fire too. You can download it from there if the problem with Google Drive continues.
Apple is a contributor to the XQuartz project and has worked to ensure that X11 works as expected with macOS and latest available versions of XQuartz.X11 server and client libraries for macOS are available from the XQuartz project at. The XQuartz project was originally based on the version of X11 included in Mac OS X v10.5. There have since been multiple releases of XQuartz with fixes, support for new features and additional refinements to the X11 experience. Apple created the XQuartz project as a community effort to further develop and support X11 on Mac. Is x11 for mac available for macos 10.14.
Right-click on a virtual image file when the downloading is finished and extract it using the suitable tool.
For example, Right-click on Winrar and then click on Extract to macOS Catalina.
Below are the links from where you can download the respected files.
Main Link:macOS Catalina Virtual Machine Image
Alternative Link: Mediafire mirror
Note: the above-given link can stop working sometimes, you don’t need to worry if you have another link you can download it from there too.
Using VirtualBox To Create macOS Catalina Virtual Machine
You have to download the VirtualBox Extension before you begin with creating macOS Virtual Machine.
This includes fixes of all the essential applications i.e mouse and keyboard support, USB 3.0 support, and other useful VirtualBox patches.
You can download the VirtualBox extension from the link we have given below.
Download link: Virtual Box Patch.
When you open VirtualBox, click on New and type macOS. The VirtualBox will identify the OS and default for Mac OS X when you enter the name.
Concerning Virtual Machine name, you can give it a creative name.
But, you would have to type the name in a series of commands and as you head further it gets annoying to type the difficult name a number of times.
Then, you will set the capacity of RAM storage that can be used by macOS Virtual Machine (VM).
For this purpose, a minimum of 4GB is advised. But, this more you gave the better performance and efficiency you will get.
Note: Don’t be foolish by assigning more RAM then your system has. Since you need to keep the balance, so you must leave some RAM for the host computer too.
Once the RAM is assigned, it’s time to assign the HardDisk. That is a virtual image you must have downloaded already.
From the options provided, you will select “Use an existing virtual hard disk file”, then you need to put the location to the VMDK file and click on Create.
Edit Settings Of macOS Catalina Virtual Machine
Until you are done with the process, don’t think of starting your macOS Catalina VM.
Before you start the Virtual Machine, there are some changes needed to make in the settings. Go to Settings by right-clicking on macOS VM.
In System, un-check the floppy in the boot order section. Verify that the Chipset section is set to ICH9.
Now click on Processor Tab, set 2 processors. You can assign more if you have a PC with powerful specs, but it is not necessary. Moreover, Check the Enable PAE/NX box with Extended Feature.
Then you will go Display, here you will set the video memory to 128mb. Then in the Storage window, make sure that the box alongside Use Host I/O Cache is checked.
Lastly, you will go to the USB section and choose USB 3.0, then click on OK.
Add Custom Code to VirtualBox Using Command Prompt.
Be patient, because the time to start up your macOS Catalina VM still has not arrived. The current settings of VirtualBox are not compatible to work properly with your macOS VMDK.
You effectively have to patch VirtualBox until the virtual machine in macOS works.
For this purpose, a code must be entered with the Prompt command. We have given all the details at the end of this section.
Start with the VirtualBox closing. If VirtualBox or any of its associated processes is running, the commands do not function properly. Hold Windows Key+ X when done, then pick Command Prompt from the display menu.
If only the PowerShell option appears on your screen, type the command in the Start menu search bar.
After that, right-click on Best Match, and choose to Run as Administrator.
To locate Oracle Virtual Box directory, you can use the following command:
cd “C:Program FilesOracleVirtualBox”
Then, you will input the below-mentioned commands one by one. The command that you set must be similar to the name of VM. For example, if my commands name is “ether”, then the commands will be followed as:
When you are done with this process with no errors encountered, you can close the Command Prompt.
Time To Boot Your macOS Mojave Virtual Machine
VirtualBox needs to start again. To start the virtual machine, double-click on your macOS. A wide stream of text, then a grey screen, is shown.
It could take a minute or two to clear the grey screen, but do not panic. Once the screen is clear, the installation of macOS Catalina starts.
When completed, the message “Welcome” should show on the macOS. You can configure the virtual machine macOS Mojave to suit from here.
Tip: take a virtual machine screenshot when the grey screen is passed. Try going back to the Welcome Screen Setup and start the cycle again if something goes wrong along the road.
You can take one more so that you can immediately hop into the macOS program when the macOS setup is completed.
Run to Machine > Take Screenshot, type a name for your screenshot, wait for it to continue.
Use VMware Workstation Player to Create a macOS Catalina Virtual Machine
Will you choose VMware over VirtualBox? You can use VMware to build a virtual macOS Catalina machine which functions the way VirtualBox functions.
And, as with VirtualBox, patching is required before the virtual machine is running for the macOS Catalina.
Intel and AMD modules operate this portion of the guide. When editing the VMX Virtual Machine script, AMD users will use the second code snippet.
Study the guide and see just what it entails.
Patch VMware Workstation Player
The VMware Player Patch Tool is included in the “MacOS Catalina Virtual Image” list. Download the patch tool before you head further
Then search the location where the patch tool was downloaded. Extract the archive material.
This method functions better if the files on the same drive are stored (e.g. the C: drives hold the Root folder of VMware and the directory extracted).
Confirm that the VMware is totally shut down. Now click on the win-install command script in the patcher folder and select Run as admin. The file is accessed and the patch script will be executed.
Important Note: The script is running around and you have to check for a message that will be shown as “File not Found.”
The common explanation for a “not found” file or “the system cannot locate the requested file” error is to install VMware Workstation Player and to execute the patch from a separate directory in a specific position in the default folder.
You can access VMware once the patch is completed.
Follow the Following Instruction to Create macOS Catalina Virtual Machine via VMware Workstation:
Firstly, the option Create a New Virtual Machine will be selected. after that you will click on I will install the operating system later to continue.
Now you can pick and adjust Apple Mac OSX to macOS 10.14. It is because the patch hasn’t loaded correctly that you don’t see the macOS option.
Next, for your Catalina virtual machine macOS, you will select a name. Pick something that is likely to remember, and then transfer the file-path to anywhere convenient, you may have to change it at once.
On the next page, choose Store virtual disk as one file, keep to the recommended maximum hard disk capacity. Fill out a wizard for virtual disk creation, but don’t just start the virtual machine now.
Edit the Settings Of macOS Mojave Virtual Machine
You need to update the hardware specs until you can start the virtual machine. Moreover, to locate the macOS VMDK, you need to tell VMware.
Pick the virtual machine from the main VMware tab, then right-click and choose Settings from your Catalina macOS. Bump virtual machine memory up to a minimum of 4 GB, like VirtualBox. If you have RAM to spare, you might assign more.
Virtualbox Macos For Amd Mac
In the processor tab, change the number of available processors to 2.
Then in the Hard Disk (SATA) tab, you will eliminate the already created hard disk. The VMware will eliminate the hard disk once you click the Remove.
After that click on Add, go to Hard disk (SATA) and select the option “use an existing disk” Then, you will find and select the location of macOS VMDK.
How To Edit the macOS Catalina VMX File for AMD Hardware?
You can leave this section if you are not an AMD user. AMD users must update the VMX file before continuing, as in the above section. Since the AMD edit consists of many lines more than Intel, the details can be copied and pasted in the file.
Close VMware. Go to the macOS virtual machine location where you installed. By default the location is:
C:UsersYOURNAMEDocumentsVirtual MachinesYOUR MAC OS X FOLDER
Select Notepad (or your preferred text editor) to browse the macOS.vmx, right-click and select Open with. Scroll down to the bottom of the configurations file and include the following data:
Before you Exit, make sure to save the edit.
Open VMware now, click on your macOS Mojave virtual machine to start it up.
Installing VMware Tools for The macOS Catalina Virtual Machine
Now you have to install a set of utility and extension VMware Tools that will improve video performance, mouse handling and more.
Navigate to Player, click on Manage and then Install VMware Tools with the virtual machine macOS running.
On the macOS desktop, digavsc is installed. Select Install VMware Tools when the option shows, then allow the removable volume to enter. Ignore the directed installer that needs to be restarted upon completion.
Troubleshooting Errors or Mistakes:
While you are working on the macOS Virtual Machine installation in Vmware Player Workstation, there are a few things that can trouble you or go wrong:
AMD Hardware’s macOS Virtual Machines
Intel hardware is used by Apple for powering laptops and desktops. The macOS virtual machine is easier to configure with Intel hardware, as the hardware requirements are pretty nearly the same.
The contrary is accurate of AMD. Since Apple does not develop macOS on AMD hardware, it is more difficult to create a macOS virtual machine on an AMD system.
Besides, We don’t have an AMD system in which virtual macOS can be checked, so a comprehensive overview can’t be given.
Still, we can refer to some macOS-AMD virtual machine teaching guides as long as you are patient.
The AMD OS X platform is an outstanding tool for virtual macOS machines. Many AMD macOS virtual machines platform articles can be found over the internet if you want to know more about them.
Also Read: What Is Taskeng.exe? (Virus Removal Guide)
Wrapping It Up!
For your macOS Catalina virtual machine, you can choose from two options.
Before switching from Windows, you can try macOS and enjoy the best Apple apps on offer. Both are viable options to consider.
Having said that, we come to the end of our guide. We are hopeful that this guide helps you learn and understand how this process functions.
You can leave your feedback and ask a question if you are confused.
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