There are a lot of programs that only support Windows. If you are a Mac user, do not be disheartened. I will show you a lot of ways to run Windows on Mac. With the help of Windows Emulator for Mac, you can run Windows software, play games, and enjoy many Windows programs.
It is good to install Windows on Mac. The licensed copy of the Windows Emulator makes it safer. Moreover, you can use free software to run Windows apps on Mac. In today’s article, I will brief some ideas on how to run Windows on Mac.
Best Windows Emulator For Mac
Whenever you need to run a Windows program that does not have a Mac version, you have to switch your operating system. But the virtual Windows for Mac is such an excellent way to run Windows on Mac that reduces your cost and effort. I will try to discuss some of the best ways to run Windows programs on Mac.
1. DeSmuME
DeSmuME is a safe emulator to run Windows App on Mac OS. It is one of the best open-source Nintendo DS emulators for Mac, Linux, and other OS. You can download DeSmuME from its official website. You will get a lot of versions available there. Moreover, the installation of this software is easier.
2. VisualBoyAdvance
If you love Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy and Super Game Boy 2, then you can use VBA or VisualBoyAdvance emulator. It is an excellent freeware for Mac users. This Cross-platform Console emulator is licensed under the GNU General Public License. The VBA-M Development Team developed it and selected GitHub as a repository.
3. Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac Version
With the help of Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac Version, it is possible to all the PC only software on your Mac computer. The speed and performance you will get similar to your Mac OS. Minimum 512 MB of RAM, 70 MB of available hard-disk space and 700 MHz native PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor is required to run the emulator. The file size of this Windows emulator is only 16.8 MB.
4. NoxPlayer
NoxPlayer is one of the best Android Emulators to play all the Android games on PC. You can use Windows software with the help of this emulator. The beautiful and clear user interface will fascinate the users. It is entirely free without any hidden costs. This emulator is highly effective for gamers.
5. Run Windows on Mac With Q
Q is a free emulator uses to run Windows-based applications. It is licensed under GNU General Public License and run on Intel or PowerPC found Macintosh systems. It can easily exchange files between host and guest. The emulator is known as QEMU and can run Linux, Windows, and many other OS on Mac.
6. PearPC
PearPC is an architecture-independent open-source emulator to run different programs on different operating systems. Like the other Windows emulators for Mac, it is also licensed under GNU General Public License (GPL). It is written in C++, C, Assembly language and uses the repository of GitHub.
7. Virtual Machines
On your Mac desktop Virtual Machines allows you to install any other operating system. You can use any separate Windows app without rebooting your PC. You will get the feeling as a normal Windows PC. Some of the popular virtual machines are Basilisk II, DOSBox, vMac, Q, Parallels, and VMware Fusion.
8. Boot Camp
Running the Boot Camp is the best option to run Windows on your Mac PC. You need a licensed Windows to run on a Mac PC. It is easy to partition on Mac if you have enough space. With the use of boot camp, you can run dual boot on your Mac. It will provide you more speed and performance on gaming.
9. Wine Bottler
When you have tension to make a partition on Mac, you can use the Wine Bottler Windows Emulator. It will help you to install any particular app on your Mac. Now running Windows packages like browsers, media-players, games will be easier.
10. CrossOver Mac
CrossOver is a paid Windows Emulator for Mac. It has more performance than a virtual machine. The emulator officially supports many programs. Since it is a paid program, so the service support is satisfactory. It takes all the bugs from users and implements them through Wine. You can try the free trial.
11. Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop is not an Emulator but a screen sharing application. If you already have a Windows computer or anyone allows you to use their Windows PC, you do not need to dual boot or install an emulator. With the help of Remote Desktop, you can share the screen and run Windows from Mac. This process is perfect for software testing or running any application for a particular time. But, if you want to play games, then dual boot and Windows Emulator is perfect.
12. Windows Emulator for Mac: VMware Fusion
VMware Fusion is a simple but powerful virtual machine for Mac to run Windows software. Without any rebooting, it allows you to run thousands of Windows software. It runs on any operating system besides Windows. Some other advanced features are Fusion REST API, One-Click SSH to Linux VM, Command-Line Operation: vmrun and VIX, 3rdParty Integrations, and Create Linked Clones.
13. Parallels Desktop
Parallels Desktop is one of the best visualization products to run Windows on Mac. It is not workable for all the applications like VMware Fusion, but as a Windows 7,8 and 10 users, you will get many functions to enjoy. The latest version of Parallels Desktop provides an excellent integration between Windows VMware and Mac OS.
14. VirtualBox
VirtualBox is one of my favorite Emulators because I have been using it for the last four years. It allows me to run any program to any operating system. This open-source visualization software is free to download and use. You will get all the versions of Windows OS starting from Windows 95, including 32 and 64 bit OS. With very little change, it allows you to enjoy 3D images.
15. WinOnX Windows Emulator for Mac
WinOnX is one of the best tools to run all the Windows software on your Mac computer. You need not buy any Windows license. It is a free application, but the size of the file is large (404 MB). It has two types of pricing options: one-time purchase ($29.99) and per year subscription ($9.99). WinOnX will use your memory approximately 15 MB and disk 410 MB.
16. Citrix XenApp
Citrix XenApp is the perfect app to provide you with a desktop experience on any platform and network. It will help the organization to become more powerful in terms of skill. ⅓ of the employees search for greater flexibility. Citrix XenApp will allow your employees to connect with Microsoft teams flexibly. It has three types of pricing. Out of that stand, alone products ($15 per month) will be suitable for individual users.
How to Run Windows Programs on Mac – Expert Opinion
You can run Windows and Windows apps on Mac with Dual boot, virtual machine, and using the Windows compatibility layer. Some organizations like Indiana University support client virtualization (CV) service for their students, faculty, and staff. The institution recommends the following three ways:
Dual-boot between macOS and Windows
With the use of Apple’s Boot Camp, you can make Dual-boot between macOS and Windows. This method is compatible with Windows applications. The limitation is it does not support Dual-boot.
Virtual machine within macOS
We can run windows apps with the help of a virtual machine. Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, and VirtualBox are mostly used virtual machines. However, it does not support all the applications of Windows.
Windows compatibility layer
The user can run Windows programs without installing Windows. For the limited set of applications, we can use the Windows compatibility layer. CrossOver Mac can be the best example of the process.
Final Thought
In this article, I have discussed many Windows Emulator for Mac to Run Windows on Mac. But out of my discussion and knowledge of in-depth study, I want to recommend some emulators. Based on my study, Q, Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac Version, Parallels Desktop, and VirtualBox is the best emulators to run Windows apps on Mac. You may recommend anyone if you like.
