run windows programs on mac without windows license

Parallels is probably the most popular virtual machine for Mac, it is very intuitive and easy-to-use for regular computer users. Run Windows apps on Mac with Parallels Desktop The downside is Wine will not be able to run all Windows programs for you, just some of them. Wine is another matter: it allows you to run Windows apps on macOS itself. A license key will have to be entered during or after installation, to activate Windows. This will allow you to run resource-intensive games or other programs without your computer slowing down, unlike with virtual machines.īoth of the above options require you to have (or to buy) a Windows license.

If you want to use Windows, you reboot into Windows, and it will have all resources of your Macbook available. If you choose macOS, it will load and have all available CPU and RAM at its disposal. You install Windows alongside macOS and can select which one to load when turning on the Macbook. However, when you run a virtual machine, your computer’s resources are split between the two operating systems, so everything runs somewhat slower than usual.ĭual booting, on the other hand, gives both OS’s the full resources of your computer. With virtual machines you run both macOS and Windows at the same time, which is handy if you want to open a single Windows program alongside your Mac applications. Windows will “think” it’s running on a real computer, when it is running inside an app. Virtual machines let you install and open Windows in a window on your Mac desktop. There are essentially three ways to run a Windows program on a Mac: running Windows on a virtual machine (like Parallels Desktop or VirtualBox), installing Widows on a Macbook as a secondary OS (via Boot Camp), and running Wine. Here we will describe those ways and list pros and cons of each, and you can decide which one is the best in your situation. Unfortunately, there is no universal best way to run Windows apps on a Macbook, each way has its own advantages and disadvantages. Regardless of your reasons, several options exist for opening Windows programs on macOS. Maybe you started working remotely and need to use a specific program that only runs on Windows, maybe you bought a Macbook and cannot find a Mac replacement for some of your preferred software, or you wish to play a game that is only available for Windows. Many Mac users find themselves in need of Windows-only programs sometimes.

Run windows programs on mac without windows license