A popular practice among Windows users is to install VMware on their systems to host Linux. However, it’s less common for Windows users to install macOS on their machines. I can guide you through the process of installing macOS 12 Monterey on a VMware Workstation virtual machine, allowing you to create a macOS virtual computer on your Windows operating system and experience macOS directly on Windows.
Preparation
To install macOS on VMware you will:
- A machine with at least 8GB RAM and 80GB storage space
- VMware Workstation
- VMware Workstation Unlocker
- macOS image file
Video tutorial
1 Install VMware Workstation Pro
To download VMware Workstation, please visit their official website and follow the installation instructions provided.
2 Install VMware Workstation Unlocker
To install macOS on a VMware Workstation, you must unlock it using a compatibility patch. You can download the patch by clicking on the highlighted text and then extracting the file to find “unlock.exe“. Right-click on this file and select “Run as administrator” to open the Command Prompt window and install the compatibility patch. Once you see “Press Enter key to continue…”, the installation is complete. Simply press Enter to close the window.
3. Install macOS in VMware Workstation Pro
Step 1: To start creating a new virtual machine in VMWare Workstation, open the application and then click on “Create a New Virtual Machine.”
Step 2: “Before proceeding, please set the default type to ‘Typical’ and then click ‘Next’ to advance to the following step.”
Step 3: During the operating system selection process, remember to select “installer disc image” and then choose the macOS file.
Step 4: When setting up your virtual machine, remember to select the operating system and choose “Apple Mac OS X” as the guest operating system, specifying the version as macOS 12. After doing so, click “Next” to proceed to the next step.
Step 5: When naming your virtual machine, consider using unique and easily distinguishable names, especially if you have or plan to create multiple macOS virtual machines. Doing so will aid in effective management. If you’re only creating one virtual machine, you can leave the name as default and proceed to the next step by clicking Next.
Step 6: When selecting the hard drive capacity, the choice is yours. If your computing needs are minimal, 80GB should suffice. If you require more space, simply input the desired amount in the “Maximum disc size (GB)” box, then proceed to the next step by clicking “Next.”
Step 7: After setting up the virtual machine, take some time to review its configuration by clicking on the “Customize Hardware” button. This will allow you to make any necessary adjustments before proceeding further. Take your time and ensure everything is set up according to your requirements.
Step 8: For optimal performance, it’s recommended to provide macOS with a minimum of 8GB of RAM. However, the operating system can still run on 4GB of RAM, although the experience may be less smooth and slightly laggy. Once you’re done reading, simply click on “Close” to finish.
Step 9: After completing the setup steps, you will be directed back to the “Ready to Create Virtual Machine” window. Simply click on “Finish” to finalize the process of configuring a new macOS virtual machine on VMWare Workstation.
Step 10: To start the macOS virtual machine, select the Power button.
Step 11: wait for the operating system to boot up until you reach the language selection screen, and ensure that the language is set to English.
Step 12: To format the hard drive to be compatible with macOS, start by selecting “Disk Utility” and then click “Continue.”
Step 13: To reformat the hard drive, click to select the VMWare Virtual SATA Hard Drive Media and then choose the “Erase” option.
Step 14: When erasing a hard drive, ensure that the default settings (APFS/GUID Partition MAP) are selected. After clicking “Erase,” you have the option to rename the hard drive in the “Name” box if you wish.
Step 15: After the hard drive format is complete, remember to select “Done” and then click on the close button.
Step 16: Remember to select “Install macOS Monterey” and then click “Continue” to start the macOS Monterey installation process on your hard drive.
Step 17: ensure to select the hard drive that was previously formatted and then click on “Continue” to initiate the installation process.
After initiating the installation process of macOS Monterey, it is necessary to allow 30-40 minutes for the process to complete. Since macOS Monterey is a relatively large operating system, this timeframe is required for a successful installation. To prevent VMware from becoming excessively slow and nearly unusable, it is important to follow these steps: On the main screen, right-click on the “Install macOS Monterey” file and select “Eject ‘Install macOS Monterey'”. Afterward, right-click on the macOS tab and choose “Install VMware Tools.” These steps will help ensure a smoother installation process.