Do you want to run Windows apps and games on your Mac? Is there a need to run the same copies of a particular virtual machine version on varying desktop machines? Then to restore each copy to its original pristine state, without any of the malware or clutter accumulated on the way? Or maybe you need to set up an isolated virtual machine to test any software that you feel might be dangerous?
If yes, then you need to run virtualization software for your Mac. Let’s find out more about it, its usage and how to run it.
There are many important programs and apps used in many industries that only run on Windows, and it’s virtualization software that lets you run Windows and all its apps on your macOS or Linux system. You can also run one version of MacOS inside another version. The Mac, Windows, or Linux system running in the virtual machine acts exactly as if it is running on the real hardware.
Today, there are many virtualization software programs on the market. MacUpdate has hand-picked a list of top 3. Let’s have a look at them.
VirtualBox is a robust x86 virtualization product both for enterprise and home use. This feature-packed, high-performance software runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac. It hosts and supports a large number of guest operating systems, such as Windows (NT 4.0, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10), DOS/Windows 3.x, Linux (2.4, 2.6, 3.x and 4.x), Solaris & OpenSolaris, OS/2, and OpenBSD. VirtualBox is being actively developed, with frequent releases and an ever-growing list of features, it also supports the guest operating systems and platforms it runs on. By the way, it already supports Mohave. Unfortunately, as the program is free, you don't get any technical support - although there is a busy user forum where you can ask a few questions should the need arise.
Devwex is a minimalistic Web server with a modular architecture. The already contained servers instances support the HTTP amongst others virtual hosts, IP/Port sharing, directory index, filtering, modules, SSL/TLS, DCGI/CGI1.1 and an on telnet based remote access to control the server. Further servers and modules can be integrated through the use of APIs. The server is a pure Java implementation for the command line and can be used with an appropriate Java runtime environment on many operating systems.
Mac-on-Linux (MOL) is a Linux program which makes it possible to run MacOS in parallel with Linux. It’s interesting to mention that MOL was designed to be used by those who run Linux as their main operating system but still want to be able to run that MacOS on a regular basis. This program is a real magic wand when it comes to hardware simulation, server applications compatibility testing.
You can set up remote access from Windows PC to Mac and vice versa. Needless to add, both the MacOS virtual machine and the Windows virtual machine act like a real desktop or laptop computer for the guest operating system to run on, except that it doesn't require extra hardware. Setting a virtual machine is at all difficult. Let’s check.
Choose the virtualization software (in our case it’s VirtualBox) and download it from MacUpdate.
Go to Downloads, find and click on the VirtualBox icon.
Follow the instructions given: Double-click on the icon and run it from the Applications folder.
Enter your admin password to confirm the download.
Note that you might be asked to allow download from Security & Privacy. Click Allow.
Once you see the Install Oracle VM VirtualBox window, click Continue.
Click Close when the installation is complete.
Note: If you are using Windows and want to run VirtualBox to access MacOS virtual desktop, the process will be practically the same.
Being able to segment the computer into different virtual versions offers numerous benefits, most notably in respect to isolating experimental code from other critical processes. Now you know how to run a virtual machine on Mac.