The Best Program For Running Windows Program On Mac

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Mac software is awesomeThe Best Default Mac Apps That You Shouldn't Need to ReplaceThe Best Default Mac Apps That You Shouldn't Need to ReplaceHere are some of the best default, pre-installed, native Mac apps worth using. Don't ditch them before you try them!Read More, but there’s no denying that Windows software is widespread. Thus, many Mac users find themselves needing to run Windows-only apps from time to time.

  1. Best Way To Run Windows On Mac
  2. The Best Program For Running Windows Programs On Mac
  3. Running Windows On A Mac
  4. How To Get Windows On Mac
  5. How To Get Windows On Mac Free

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Maybe you need to use a specific piece of software that only runs on Windows, or just miss something from your Windows days4 Things About Windows That You'll Miss on a Mac4 Things About Windows That You'll Miss on a MacThinking about switching over to a Mac? It's easy to find faults with Windows. But are you aware of the things you'll miss?Read More. Whatever the case, you have options for running Windows programs on your Mac.

Here’s an overview of them all, plus our favorite method that will suit most people.

1. Virtual Machines

Virtual machines allow you to run operating systems7 Practical Reasons to Start Using a Virtual Machine7 Practical Reasons to Start Using a Virtual MachineThe term 'virtual' has been co-opted in so many ways. Virtual reality. Virtual RAM. Virtual schools. But Virtualization in the context of PCs can be confusing. We're here to clear it up.Read More inside a piece of software. The virtual OS thinks it’s running on a real computer, but you have full control over it thanks to the virtualization software. On macOS, you’ll find three big VM names: Parallels, VMware Fusion, and VirtualBox.

Parallels offers the best VM user experienceParallels Desktop 13: The Best Virtual Machine for macOS?Parallels Desktop 13: The Best Virtual Machine for macOS?Want to run Windows apps on your Mac? Parallels Desktop can have your Windows 10 installation up and running in under 10 seconds.Read More, especially for beginners. You don’t have to configure anything or even download Windows yourself during the setup — the software does it all for you. Coherence mode lets you run Windows apps right alongside Mac apps, even pinning them to your Dock, and get Windows out of the way. Indeed, Parallels has surged ahead of VMware Fusion.

The biggest downside is the cost. Parallels costs $80, while VirtualBox is free. However, VirtualBox requires you to perform the setup yourself. It also isn’t quite as smooth as Parallels, since the latter was specifically designed for macOS. Our complete guide to VirtualBoxHow to Use VirtualBox: User's GuideHow to Use VirtualBox: User's GuideWith VirtualBox you can easily install and test multiple operating systems. We'll show you how to set up Windows 10 and Ubuntu Linux as a virtual machine.Read More will help you if you decide to try it, though.

We recommend giving the 14-day free trial of Parallels a try and deciding if it’s worth the cost to you. If you don’t want to pay, VirtualBox is your best bet for having a copy of Windows at the ready. Thankfully, you can download the Windows 10 installation mediaHow to Create Windows 10 Installation MediaHow to Create Windows 10 Installation MediaRegardless of how you arrived at Windows 10, there's a way to create your own installation media. Sooner or later you might need it. Let us show you how to be prepared.Read More and use it without having to even activate the OS.

Pros

  • Opening a virtual machine doesn’t require you to reboot your PC.
  • Running Windows programs alongside Mac apps is a breeze.
  • Parallels offers an impressively smooth experience.
  • You can scale how much space the virtual hard drive uses.

Cons

  • Parallels is expensive.
  • VM graphics performance is poor so this isn’t a good solution for playing Windows games on your Mac.
  • VirtualBox takes a bit of tinkering to set up.
  • Older Macs might not have enough resources to keep a VM running smoothly.

2. Boot Camp

While virtual machines let you run a copy of Windows inside software, Boot Camp lets you install Windows right onto your Mac. Also known as dual-booting, this lets you run Windows and macOS side by side on one hard drive.

The Boot Camp Assistant in macOS walks you through the entire process. This will partition your hard drive and install Windows so you can reboot into it. We’ve covered how to download a Windows installer for Boot CampHow to Create a Bootable Windows 10 Installer USB on a MacHow to Create a Bootable Windows 10 Installer USB on a MacMicrosoft offers a simple tool to create a bootable USB on Windows, but there is no such tool for Mac users. Fortunately the process is pretty easy, if you know how.Read More and everything you need to know about running Windows on your MacHow to Run Windows 10 Natively on Mac: The Good, Bad, and UglyHow to Run Windows 10 Natively on Mac: The Good, Bad, and UglyWhile Mac OS X works well for most tasks, there are times when it just can't do what you want it to. More often than not this means running Windows on your Mac.Read More if you decide to go with this method.

One drawback to dual-bootingWhat's the Best Way to Run Multiple Operating Systems on Your PC?What's the Best Way to Run Multiple Operating Systems on Your PC?Undecided between Windows and Linux? It's possible to run multiple OSes on a single machine either by dual booting or using a virtual machine. Let's find out which one is best for you.Read More with Boot Camp is that you can’t run Windows and Mac programs side-by-side. Whenever you need Windows, you’ll need to restart your Mac and boot into Windows. However, this leads to better performance than a virtual machine, because Windows can utilize all of your machine’s resources.

Pros

  • No additional cost.
  • Offers the best performance for running games and other intensive Windows software.

Cons

  • You must reboot every time you want to access Windows programs.
  • Can take up a good bit of disk space.

3. Wine

Both of the above solutions involve actually using the Windows OS to run Windows programs. But Wine is different. It’s a compatibility layer that lets you run Windows softwareHow to Run Windows Apps & Games with Linux WineHow to Run Windows Apps & Games with Linux WineIs there any way to get Windows software working on Linux? One answer is to use Wine, but while it can be very useful, it probably should only be your last resort. Here's why.Read More on macOS and Linux. Wine is a lighter solution than an installation of Windows, if you just need to use a program or two. But it doesn’t come without its own set of problems.

Wine isn’t guaranteed to work with all programs. Some may work perfectly, while others will crash or fail to run at all. You can check the Wine Application Database to see if your preferred apps will work. Another problem is that the vanilla Wine program requires some tweaking that will likely confuse new users.

The best way to try Wine is with the third-party WineBottlerHow to Run Windows Programs on Your Mac Using WineBottlerHow to Run Windows Programs on Your Mac Using WineBottlerRead More, which adds some much-needed conveniences.

Download WineBottler and open the DMG file when complete. In the resulting window, drag and drop both the Wine and WineBottler icons to your Applications folder just like you’d install other software. Launch WineBottler, and you’ll see some programs that you can install right away, such as Internet Explorer on MacHow to Run Internet Explorer on Your Mac (and Why You Might Want To)How to Run Internet Explorer on Your Mac (and Why You Might Want To)Is it possible to run the flagship Microsoft browser on an OSX machine? Read on to find out…Read More.

To open other Windows programs, download them as EXE files from safe and reputable download sitesThe Safest free. software download Sites for WindowsThe Safest free. software download Sites for WindowsMany software download sites are loaded with malware. We compiled websites you can trust when you need a free. software download.Read More. Right-click and choose Open With > Wine and Wine can run them directly. Remember that not all programs will work under Wine, so you may have to try some Wine troubleshootingWine Programs Not Working? Try These StepsWine Programs Not Working? Try These StepsWine gives Linux users the the ability to run Windows software and can aid in switching operating systems. But it isn't, so what can you do to ensure your Windows software runs in Linux?Read More if one fails.

Wine is best if you need to run a Windows program or two and is worth keeping around for those times. But if you need to run many Windows programs, you’re better off with another method.

Pros

  • Free and fast install.
  • Some common Windows software works out of the box.
  • Doesn’t require installing Windows.

Cons

  • Not guaranteed to work with all software.
  • Even supported programs may have problems.

4. CrossOver

CrossOver is a paid tool that’s based on Wine. It features a solid user interface, allowing you to simply type the name of the Windows software you want to install and handles it all for you. Since it’s commercial software, you can also ask the developers about adding support for a new piece of software if you’re a subscriber.

But compared to your other options here, CrossOver really doesn’t offer the best package for most people’s needs. If you need to run several Windows programs, you’re better off with using a VM. Boot Camp will give you better performance for games, and Wine is free for testing one-off programs. At $40 minimum for CrossOver, we recommend skipping this one.

Pros

  • Marginally better support and interface than WineBottler.
  • Focuses on supporting popular programs.

Cons

  • Cost is a lot to pay when WineBottler is free.
  • Based on Wine, so may still have bugs.
  • Not great for running lots of Windows software.
Run windows on a mac

5. Remote Access

If none of the above solutions work for you, why not attack the problem in a different way? Those who have a Windows computer already can simply use a remote control software to access Windows from their Mac.

TeamViewer is a free and powerful remote control tool that will do this job just fine. If you use Chrome, Chrome Remote Desktop is equally as solidControl Your PC From Anywhere Using Chrome Remote DesktopControl Your PC From Anywhere Using Chrome Remote DesktopNeed to remotely control your PC from another device? Struggling with RDP, or services like LogMeIn? Well, we have the solution: Google Chrome! Let's find out how to remote control a PC with Chrome.Read More.

All you need to do is install your chosen tool on both your Mac and Windows PC, sign into your account on both machines, and you can access your Windows computer whenever you need to.

Depending on your internet connection you may experience some latency, and keyboard shortcuts may cause a bit of confusion. High-intensity programs like games aren’t ideal over a remote connection, either. But if you just want to perform an action in Windows or need access to a specific program, remote access is easy and free.

Pros

  • Free and easy to set up.
  • Doesn’t take up space on your Mac.
  • Windows programs are guaranteed to work since they’re running on a Windows machine.

Cons

  • Requires you to have a Windows PC that’s always on.
  • A poor internet connection can hamper the experience.
  • It’s hard to use demanding programs over a remote connection.

Don’t Forget Web Apps

While you can’t run Windows apps through your browser, it’s worth mentioning that so much software is available online and doesn’t require an install. No matter if you’re using macOS, Linux, or Chrome OS, these tools all work through any browser.

The Best Program For Running Windows Program On Mac

If you prefer Microsoft Office to the iWork suite, you can use Office Online at no costDon't Pay For Word! 5 Reasons You Should Use Office OnlineDon't Pay For Word! 5 Reasons You Should Use Office OnlineOffice Online is the free and cloud-connected version of Microsoft Office. Limitations are compensated by features, useful even to users of desktop Office. Best of all is itsRead More. Online image editing tools10 Free Online Batch Image Tools to Resize, Convert & Optimize10 Free Online Batch Image Tools to Resize, Convert & OptimizeYou need batch editing tools when you have lots of photos to process and very little time. We introduce you to the best batch resizers, optimizers, or converters available online.Read More offer an alternative to Windows apps like Paint.NET. And online collaboration tools10+ No-Signup Collaboration Tools You Can Use in 10 Seconds10+ No-Signup Collaboration Tools You Can Use in 10 SecondsCollaborating online can save you and your team both time and money. Collaborating quickly can save a bit more. These tools are ready to go when you are. No registration required.Read More let you communicate with others without anyone installing software. These give you a way to run alternative software if you don’t like the Mac offering available.

The Easiest Way to Run Windows Programs on a Mac

We’ve taken a look at the five most common ways to run Windows software on your Mac. But which is the easiest? As it turns out…

Unless you’re playing games, running a virtual machine is the best way for most people to access Windows software on macOS.

Using a virtual machine lets you open Windows software alongside Mac apps, all without rebooting your Mac. And it’s more reliable than Wine.

Whether you should use Parallels or Virtualbox for your VM depends on your needs. If you don’t mind paying, aren’t comfortable with setting up your own VM, or want the absolute best experience, go with Parallels. Those who have some experience with VMs or don’t have extra money to spend will do fine with Virtualbox.

VirtualBox. Or Parallels if you don't mind paying every year for the upgrade to keep everything working.

— Thomas Lutz (@thomaslutz_de) October 15, 2016

How Do You Run Windows Software on Your Mac?

Just because a virtual machine is the best method for the average user to use Windows apps on a Mac, it doesn’t mean it’s the best solution for you. Let’s review the five methods in turn to summarize what kind of user can benefit from each:

  • Virtual Machine: Best for anyone who wants to use a variety of Windows software along with their Mac apps without having to reboot into Windows. Doesn’t offer powerful performance for games.
  • Boot Camp: Best for those who need their machine’s full power when running Windows, like when playing video games. Inconvenient to reboot into Windows.
  • Wine: Handy to keep around if you only run a handful Windows programs on your Mac. Inferior to a VM if you want to run lots of apps, as many don’t work in Wine.
  • CrossOver: Not worth paying for over Wine. You’re better off with a VM.
  • Remote Desktop: Worth setting up if you have a Windows PC already. May have problems with network latency. Using a VM is cheaper than buying a dedicated PC for this.

What’s your favorite solution for running Windows software? Is there a better method than the ones we’ve listed here? Talk to us down in the comments!

  1. Excellent list of interesting apps to explore. However, what happened to VMware's Fusion? I used it a while ago and only recently reinstalled their most recent version which is 10. It's a try for free for a month and then purchase if still interested. If I remember correctly price was more than £80 so I'm guessing in dollars or euro the price won't be far off. Really worth a look as it's a very powerful program that works seamlessly across platforms. Its only drawback is that gobbles memory making my 2010 MacBook Pro sluggish. I wonder if it will be quicker with more modern machines. Give it a try.

Wine is an open source program for running Windows software on non-Windows operating systems. While it’s most often used on Linux, Wine can run Windows software directly on a Mac, too–without requiring a Windows license or needing Windows running in the background.

This isn’t necessarily the best option if you want to run Windows software on a Mac. Wine isn’t perfect, and not every application will run ideally. Some applications will crash or not run at all. Virtual machines and Boot Camp are more rock-solid options, but they do add more overhead and require a Windows installation. For apps that do work, however, Wine can be extremely useful.

Best Way To Run Windows On Mac

How to Download Wine on a Mac

RELATED:5 Ways to Run Windows Software on a Mac

There are several ways to get Wine on a Mac. The official project website at WineHQ now provides official builds of Wine for Mac OS X. However, those aren’t necessarily the best option. These Wine binaries allow you to run Windows software, but don’t provide any helpful graphical tools for installing and setting up common applications, so they’re best for advanced users already familiar with Wine.

Instead, you should probably consider one of the third-party projects that take the Wine source code and build a more convenient interface on top of it, one that helps you quickly install and configure common applications. They often perform tweaks that you’d have to perform by hand if you were using the barebones Wine software. They include their own Wine software, too, so you only have to download one thing.

The Best Program For Running Windows Programs On Mac

Third-party tools include WineBottler, PlayOnMac, and Wineskin. There’s also the free Porting Kit, which makes installing classic games easy, and the commercial CrossOver Mac, which is the only application here you have to pay for. We’ll be using WineBottler for this tutorial, as it seems like the most popular option among Mac users. It can create Mac .app bundles for Windows programs. The other third-party applications will work similarly, though some (like CrossOver and Porting Kit) may be much more streamlined for the apps they actually support—so if you’re looking to run a specific game, it may be worth checking to see if the other apps support that game for easy setup.

Running Windows On A Mac

How to Run Windows Software on a Mac With WineBottler

How To Get Windows On Mac

To get started, download WineBottler. Be sure to download a version that works on your release of Mac OS X. When this article was written, that meant OS X El Capitan and Yosemite users needed to download version 1.8.

Open the downloaded DMG file. Drag and drop both Wine and WineBottler applications to your Applications folder to install them, just like you would any other Mac application. You can then launch WineBottler from your Applications folder.

WineBottler lists a number of different programs you can easily install. For example, you could install various versions of Internet Explorer if you needed to test websites with them on your Mac. The Windows version of Steam is available, and which could allow you to run some Windows-only games on your Mac. Choose any of these options and WineBottler will automatically download, install, and configure these applications for you.

The installed application will appear under “On My Mac” in the WineBottler window. You can uninstall them from here, if you like. Click an application and it will launch in a window, receiving its own icon on your dock.

To run another application that doesn’t appear in the WineBottler list, you can simply download it, then right-click or Ctrl-click its .exe file to select Open With > Wine.

WineBottler allows you to quickly execute the .exe directly, if you like. You can also choose to install the application in a Mac .app file created by WineBottler.

If you choose to convert it to an OS X application bundle, you will be taken to the Advanced screen in WineBottler. Provide the .exe file used to install the application and you can install it as an .app using the options here. Depending on the application, you may need various third-party libraries from the Winetricks list, DLL override options, or runtime arguments here to make it work.

However, that often isn’t necessary–just executing .exe files directly with Wine should generally work.

If you can’t get an application working, you should perform a web search for its name and “wine” or “winebottler” for tips on what advanced functions you might need.

Bear in mind that WineBottler is best if you have a single program or handful of programs that work well. If you plan on testing out a lot of software or you use software that Wine doesn’t support well, you’ll have a much better time just running it in a virtual machine. These offer more or less guaranteed compatibility with Windows software on a Mac.

How To Get Windows On Mac Free

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