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Is there a way to use Windows on a Mac?
Have you ever used a Mac computer and thought, “I want to use Windows! But I can’t afford to buy another computer…”
In such a case, there is another option you can consider.
As some of you may know, you can run Windows software on your Mac by using software called Parallels Desktop.
What is Parallels Desktop?
Parallels Desktop software allows you to run other operating systems such as Windows and Ubuntu on your Mac.
You can use software that you want to use on other OS such as Windows on your MacBook, iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Studio, and other Mac computers.
(If you are using an Intel Mac, there is another method called Boot Camp, but we will explain the difference later.)
You can use Windows on your Mac!
We have told you that Parallels Desktop will allow you to use Windows and other OS software on your Mac, but you may be wondering, “How is that possible?”
The simple explanation of how Parallels Desktop works is that it creates a virtual machine on the physical hardware of your Mac and runs a different operating system such as Windows in that virtual environment.
It sounds difficult, but after installation, you will be able to use it by following the instructions, and you will feel comfortable once you start using it.
You can use Windows and Mac at the same time
As I mentioned earlier, if you are using an Intel Mac, you can also use Windows on your Mac by using Boot Camp.
So what’s the difference between Parallels Desktop and Boot Camp? The answer is the difference in switching between Windows and Mac.
When switching to Windows with Boot Camp, you have to shut down once and select the OS when you reboot.
In contrast, Parallels runs Windows on a Mac, so you can open and go back and forth between Windows and Mac systems at the same time, for example by dragging and dropping from a Windows folder to Mac software.
Recommended for people like this!
If you have found this article, probably already have a specific purpose for using Windows on a Mac, but we would like to explain what kind of people we can recommend it to, just in case.
Mac owners who need to use Windows for work
If you use highly specialized software at work, such as accounting software or Auto CAD, it may not be compatible with the Mac you use at home, and you can only use it on Windows at work. Do you have such a situation?
It’s a bit difficult to get another computer just in case you want to do a quick check after you get home, isn’t it?
If you have Parallels installed, you may be able to do the work you need to do from home.
・Those who want to use Windows software for work on your Mac, but it is too expensive to buy a license for your Mac.
・Those who usually use a Mac for my own use, but some of the software I use at work is only compatible with Windows.
Someone who wants to use Windows-only software or gadgets
As I mentioned earlier, in addition to highly specialized software used at work, there are also many devices and software that are only compatible with Windows, such as VR-related devices and software.
Since switching from Windows to Mac, I myself have experienced that some software that I could use before is not compatible with Mac, or that popular software itself is compatible with Mac, but the plug-ins that I want to use with that software are not compatible.
In other cases, controllers and capture cards that worked on Windows are not supported, and it is no longer usable.
In such cases, the cost of installing Parallels may be less than the cost of replacing all the equipment you want to use with Mac-compatible ones.
・Those who have switched from Windows to Mac, but cannot use many of the software and peripherals that they used to use.
・Those who have software and gadgets that are not compatible with Mac and really want to use them.
Those who want to play Windows-only games
Many people who want to use Windows on a Mac are someone who wants to play games that are only compatible with Windows, such as Steam.
For example, VR Chat is one of them.
If you go to the official website and check Steam, you will see only a download button for Windows.
If you want to play a game like this that is only supported on Windows, Parallels may make it possible.
(It is recommended to check the environment of your device first to see if the specifications required by the game exceed those of the computer specks itself.)
・Those who want to use games that are supported only on Windows on their Mac.
・Those who want to use VR devices that are only compatible with Windows on their Mac.
Those who want to organize a test environment for development
Parallels can also be used conveniently for software development.
You can put different OS into the virtual environment created by Parallels and test how the software you are developing works on each OS, so you can easily consolidate the work that tends to become complicated during development and testing on your Mac.
・Need to use multiple operating systems during development
・Want to test using multiple operating systems on a Mac
There is a 14-day free trial if you are unsure if it’s for you
Parallels Desktop offers a 14-day free trial.
If you are not sure if Parallels Desktop is right for your environment, we recommend that you try the trial version to see if the software and equipment you want to use will work properly.
To officially run the software, you will need to purchase a Windows license separately from Microsoft.
(In my case, even before purchasing Windows, I was able to confirm with the free version that Windows was installed on the Mac and could be opened actually and that the equipment I wanted to use was recognized by the Windows system.)
Also, since there is a money-back guarantee within 30 days even after purchase, you can try it first and then think about whether you want to introduce it.
We hope this article will be helpful for someone who had trouble with Windows software not working on your Mac.
