The only problem here is that Boot Camp forces you to make a choice – either you run the macOS or you run Windows. You can then dual boot your Mac, starting it up by running either the macOS or Windows. This is a utility that allows you to partition your Mac’s hard drive or SSD – effectively splitting it in two – leaving the main macOS on one partition, and then allowing you to install Windows on the new partition. This was a benefit to Apple because it took away one of the biggest concerns of Windows users when considering a move to the Mac – it meant they could bring Windows and their Windows software with them.Īnd, in true Apple style, it came up with an elegant solution, known as Boot Camp. When Apple moved to Intel processors back in 2006-2007, it also brought the ability to run Windows to the Mac because the macOS and Windows OS suddenly spoke the same language (the x86 instruction set used in Intel processors).

You may also like to read our guide to How to install Windows and run Windows apps on a Mac. So read on to discover the best options for running Windows, and Windows apps, on your Mac. This gives you access to a Cloud PC – a kind of virtual machine up in the cloud that allows you to run Windows on any Mac or other device that has a fast Internet connection. There’s another important new option that’s now available too, in the form of Microsoft’s Windows 365 service. We’ll run through the best virtual machines for Mac, including Parallels and VMware, as well as looking at alternative options, including Apple’s own Boot Camp and emulators that let you run Windows apps on a Mac without even installing Windows! If you need to run Windows software or games on your Macs then this article will reveal the best way to do so. And, of course, there are all those A-List games that have never even glanced in the direction of us poor, forgotten Mac gamers. For example, the Windows version of Microsoft Office includes the Access database that has never been available for the Mac, and there are many professional graphics and video tools that are Windows-only.

Even the most loyal Mac users recognise that Windows still rules the roost in the world of desktop and laptop computers, and there are many important apps that only run on Windows.

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