We all love our Macs, even people who don’t have it, crave it! There is a lot about Mac that makes you fall in love with it. The screen, the resolution, the out-of-this-world neat design, the functionalities; list of loveable traits can just go on and on.
Not very often but there comes a time when you try to run an application on Mac only to find out that it is not compatible with it. Sometimes these apps are so important to run that we think about moving onto other operating system. I have had to deal with this situation when trying to build a complicated Excel model on my MS-office for Mac. New keyboard short cuts, Macros with different options that what you are used to on the Windows, it can be a bit daunting….But what about the love? It’s not easy, we know!
- Developer tools Utilities Microsoft® Emulator allows you to emulate devices that differ from your local desktop by using virtual machines and guest operating system images. This application doesn't come with any guest images. You will need to install one or more additional packages in order to emulate other devic.
- Installing the PlayOnMac© Windows Emulator to Run S & S Software on a MAC Computer. Click on the Mac Download button on the product webpage (for SewWhat-Pro, SewArt, or SewWrite). This will save the software installer package(s) to your MAC computer. Then follow the steps below to install the PlayOnMac Windows emulator.
VMware Fusion: Powerfully Simple Virtual Machines for Mac. VMware Fusion Pro and VMware Fusion Player Desktop Hypervisors give Mac users the power to run Windows on Mac along with hundreds of other operating systems, containers or Kubernetes clusters, side by side with Mac applications, without rebooting.
Contents
- 1 In comes the savior
In comes the savior
This is where a Windows emulator for Mac comes in handy, allowing us to seamlessly use windows-only apps on Mac. There are in fact many windows emulator for mac easily available, some are good and some are not as good. The best thing about most virtualization and emulation tools is that software like antivirus or firewall on your mac works fine with Windows OS installed.
The difference between virtualization and emulation
There is a thin line between virtualization and emulation. The main difference is that of the Apple system you’re using. Options that support Intel Macs are called virtualization and those that support Power PC Macs are emulations
We have selected the top 10 out of the lot and hope that you will find the one perfectly suited for your needs. So, without any further ado, let’s get down to our list…
Boot Camp
This one is a built in tool for installing Windows on your Mac. It’s an easy process overall, all you need to have is a registered and licensed copy of Windows. First you need to install Boot Camp, for this you need to go to applications > utilities > boot camp. Quit all open programs and follow the on-screen instruction to install boot camp. During the installation, your system will create a separate partition for Windows.
After finishing with the boot camp’s installation, it is now time to install Windows. Insert the CD and just follow the easy setup instructions. Once done, you will now have the option to start your machine with Mac or Windows OS by pressing the “Option” key at startup.
To find out, which version is supported with your boot camp check out this article.
Wine Bottler
If you’re only looking to use and install a particular app that doesn’t work on mac, then Wine Bottler can be your perfect partner. You don’t have to install the whole Windows OS and thus no need to create a partition either.
WinOnX
Another great app that saves you from the hassle of installing Windows OS on mac. WinOnX (or Windows on OS X) is based on Wine and can be installed on OS X 10.6 and later. The application lets users install the most Windows app on Mac but still there are some that have compatibility issues. For all such cases, the always-active and highly responsive developer team of WinOnX comes in handy.
Citrix XenApp
One of the coolest app that lets users enjoy any Windows application on Mac. Wait a sec, not only Mac but XenApp allows users to use any app on any device – now this sounds awesome, no? All the apps are stored, saved and can be accessed from a database. Probably the best thing about this app is that it even works when a user is offline.
Wineskin Winery
This is the techiest of the apps among our list. Wineskin Winery creates ports, which tweaks the Windows apps in a way that they work seamlessly on Mac. AND the best part? The application is completely free!
Virtual Box
Probably the most famous in our list, Virtual Box is famous for reasons. First, VB is open source and thus free! The application is also continuously developing, so if something on your system is not working smoothly, expect it to get resolved soon. Secondly, this application doesn’t only setup Windows virtually but also supports Linux and other OSs. Third, the synchronization between the hardware and operating system is close to perfect. Camera, CD drive, printer, etc all work perfectly on multiple operating systems.
Virtual PC for Mac
The best emulator for users who are more “network focused”. Virtual PC for Mac can save our love for Mac and we can use Windows apps without having to completely say good bye to Mac. No matter what operating system they are using, you can share information on the network when using Virtual PC for Mac. The application is a little pricey though and can be bought at $129.
CrossOver Mac
Get CrossOver Mac for only $39 to $59 and start using any Window app on your Mac, without the need of creating a virtual environment or installing a fresh/registered copy of Windows. No reboot required, just run the program and with it, the Windows app you need to use.
VMware Fusion
Do you like the idea of having a full Windows view, opening Windows and Mac apps in a separate window and more? If yes, then try VMware Fusion. Using Windows apps on your Mac through VMware Fusion gives users a native feel. Compared with all the benefits and functionalities of this app, the $34.95 price tag is not too much.
Parallels
As the name suggests, Parallels let you use Windows app parallel on Mac OS. Available for around $69, Parallels is very easy to install and can be used without rebooting the system. Combine all the benefits and features of VMware Fusion and add the fact that options such as parental control you have set on Mac will even work on Windows interface – the result is Parallels.
Last bit…
** 64 bit Windows OS are not compatible with certain Macs.
** Always backup your data before trying to attempt installing Windows on Mac.
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There may be times that you would like to use a specific application or program but are unable to because it is not compatible with your Mac. By using Windows emulator for Mac, there is no need to change operating systems or get another computer dedicated for Windows as you can run Windows apps like they are native to your Mac.
10. Boot Camp
Boot camp is a built in utility on Mac, which lets you run Windows applications on your computer. It creates a partition for Windows so your Mac applications and files are not affected. Running Windows applications on your Mac is seamless, like they were really built for your computer. Though this is a built in tool, it needs to be installed. Also, you would need a licensed copy of the Windows operating system, as it does not come with the utility. Close all applications before beginning the installation. Go to Applications, Utilities and open Boot Camp. Follow the on screen instructions to complete the installation. It will guide you in creating a partition for Windows on your Mac. Once done, insert your Windows OS CD and follow the on screen instructions to finish the installation. Once done, you have the choice to start using Windows or Mac during the boot up process. This can be done by pressing the Option key.
9. Wine Bottler
This is a free emulator that lets you run specific Windows applications on Mac. This combines features from Wine and other emulator tools. This is more convenient if you wish to run only a number of Windows applications and you do not need the entire operating system itself. Since it does not really use Windows, there is no need to create a partition and install a licensed software, which can cost a lot.
8. Citrix XenApp
This is an application that allows you to access any Windows program on Mac. In fact, it will let you access any type of application on any device. Applications are saved on a database and centralized. When a user needs to use an application, it will be streamed on whatever type of device is used. If the user is not connected to the Internet, it uses the Citrix application virtualization, which emulates Windows.
Windows Emulation Software For Mac Free Download
7. WinOnX
This is another application that is based on the free Wine application. It is available for $4.99. You need to be running OS X 10.6 or later in order to use this program. It does not require installation of the Windows operating system. While most Windows applications run on this program, there are still some that are not compatible. The developers of this app are continuously looking for ways on how to improve it. If users find any Windows applications that are not running on it, they are requested to let the developers know so they can include this on their next update.
6. Wineskin Winery
This is a tool that is included on Wineskin, whic
h can be downloaded separately. It is used for creating ports, which wrap the Windows applications to make them work in a Mac environment. This is for free so there is no need to spend anything to start accessing Windows apps on your Mac.
5. VirtualBox
VirtualBox is an open source application, so it is not only for free but it is continuously developing. Furthermore, if you need help with this program, there are several contributors that will be there to help you with your concern. This application lets you create a virtual machine not only for Windows but for Linux and other operating systems as well. So this means that you can have two or more operating systems running on your computer. Most of the hardware connected to the computer will work without a problem, whether using a different OS, including camera, printer and CD drive.
4. Virtual PC for Mac
For $129.00, you can get Virtual PC for Mac to run Windows on your computer so you don’t have to get a separate computer to use Windows applications or change your operating system completely. Print any Windows documents without installing the driver of the printer on the operating system, as it will use the default printer of Mac, even when you are using the other OS. One of the best things that this application offers is that it allows networking with other Windows computers. This means that you can easily share and transfer information with other computers, whether they are running Mac or Windows.
3. CrossOver Mac
From $39.95 USD to $59.95 USD, you can get this application to run Windows on your Mac. It does not require creating a virtual machine and it does not also require installation of the Windows operating system. Install this application and start using Windows programs as if they are part of your Mac computer. There is no need to reboot just to access your Windows apps. They work seamlessly along with your usual Mac programs.
2. VMware Fusion
Get this application for $34.95 and start accessing Windows application like they are native to your Mac. This does not require any reboot so you can immediately access whatever application you need, whether it is a Windows or Mac program. You have the option to have a full Windows view so you can have the feel of the Windows operating system. You may also choose to open Windows and Mac apps on separate Windows. If you want a full integration on your Mac, you may also choose to get a full Mac Window instead. With this, all applications, including those native to Windows can be accessed like you would run other Mac programs.
Windows For Mac Free Download
1. Parallels
Mac Emulation On Windows 10
This application can cost from $49.99 to $69.99. This is one of the best applications that you can use for running Windows programs on your Mac computer. It is easy to set up and use. Follow the on screen instruction for the installation and you are ready to use it in a few minutes. There is no need to reboot so you can conveniently access Windows and Mac programs simultaneously with ease. Like VMware Fusion, it also allows you to choose various views including full Windows view, full screen mode and coherence mode. The good news is that, the parental controls that you have set on your Mac will follow even when Windows is used.