Do you want to run Windows 8.x on Mac? We already posted a guide how to Dual Boot Windows 8.1 and OS X Mavericks on Mac with Boot Camp and now see this guide to install and run Windows 8 on Mac using VMware Fusion. Creating Windows 8 virtual machine with VMware and then run it without making any changes to existing OS X, is the best way to execute Windows on Mac. It is usually recommended for home users who are in search for the fastest, reliable and easiest way to run Windows on Mac platform. You can easily run all of your favorite Windows application on your Mac with the help of this. So we will not keep you waiting any longer, and show you how you can achieve this at your home.
Run Windows 8 on Mac VMware Fusion
Before you start the actually process, there are few things which you will need at your end to ensure a successful installation.
Requirements
- VMWare Fusion with Tools ( You can download it from the internet for free as a trial and upgrade it afterwards)
- Windows 8.1 installer ISO file or Bootable DVD / USB. Suit yourself!
And that’s all! So gear up and follow the step by step procedure.
Installation of VMware Fusion
Run the “VMware-Fusion-Build_Number.dmg” package which you downloaded online. On clicking the execution will begin.
When VMware Fusion installation popup appears double-click on VMware Fusion logo.
This will demand administrative privileges, in the dialog box type in your Mac username and password and then proceed. When the dialog “Would you like to help improve VMware Fusion”, it’s better to click on the No option.
Though not for everyone, but if the VMware wants to make any change, you will again have to provide your username and password and continue with the installation. Afterwards when the Licensing dialog comes, enter your license key and continue.
Creating Windows 8 Virtual Machine on Mac
Once the installation has been complete and run then VMware fusion you will be directed to the start window from where you will create virtual machine for Windows using VMware. Click on Add Button “+” > “New…” and the new machine assistant will begin.
On this window, If you have the DISC of Windows 8 then you can simply click on continue or click on “Continue without disc” button to use disc image or want to insert DVD later.
After this the Installation Media window is shown. Follow the directions and find the Windows 8 bootable DVD or the .iso file as shown and continue.
Now select and operating system and version of your Windows OS as shown Microsoft Windows and Windows 8 x64 in drop-down menu.
Now enter some user information like Name, Password and Keys of the windows and click continue.
Now select integration More Seamless or More Isolated. When you click one of them it will show you what will happen. Then click continue.
Here, see the summary of automatically configured settings for Windows 8 virtual machine. You can change this settings when you choose “Customize Settings” button.
When you click on Finish button, a popup window will appears. In this windows you have to select the path where you want to save Windows 8 virtual machine image file and click Save button, then your installation will start.
Follow the on screen instruction to complete the Windows 8 installation process on Mac
Now you have successfully install and run Windows 8 on Mac but, there are few more things you need to know.
Play with Virtual Machine
Release Cursor: Once you clicked inside virtual machine window, you mouse cursor will be captured to that window. If you want to release cursor then you need to press Ctrl+Command keys from keyboard.
Full-Screen More: Windows 8 will run in a separate VMware window and if you want to run full-screen then click on the Arrows button on the top-right side of the window.
Exit from full-screen: To exit from the full screen mode, press ctrl+command keys from keyboard to release the cusros from virtual machine and then bring the cursor on top of the screen, you will notice a bar slides-down. Here click the Arrows icon.
Change virtual machine hardware settings (optional)
VMware automatically choose best hardware settings but, you can also set some settings like Sharing, Processors, Networking and Display etc by clicking on VMware Setting icon in the toolbar.
From here click on Processors and Memory and from there choose the number of processors and memory which will be used by the virtual machine. After this expand the Advanced options check the Enable hypervisor applications in this virtual machine box as below and then by clicking the back button return to Settings main page.
Install VMware Tools
Once you are done with installing Windows 8, it’s time to install the VMware tools. Some time it will install automatically after the installation of windows, If don’t than follow the instructions mentioned below.
Go to Windows 8 Desktop and then click the VMware Fusion menu on Mac and then select Install VMware Tools option. Though the process seems long here, but if you follow the steps one by one it is quite easy.
Leave a reply below in comments If you need help!