Windows On Mac With Virtualbox

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If you’re a Mac user, there’s no need to sell your Mac and get a Windows computer. You can use VirtualBox, Parallels or VMWare (links lead to academic versions) to run Windows on your Mac. This tutorial was written for VirtualBox, since it’s free and you don’t have to reboot your computer to access Windows (this is why I don’t recommend Bootcamp, since you lose access to your Mac files and software).

I mentioned for you that in order to install Windows 10 on VirtualBox. Firstly, you need to Download VirtualBox and install on your Mac computer then beside that download the ISO file of Windows 10 and located on your Mac computer. Installation of VirtualBox is same as installing VirtualBox on Windows. To run Windows on a Mac, you need to use virtualization software such as VirtualBox. While there are other options available (such as Parallels and VMware Fusion), VirtualBox is free. Apr 18, 2018 I recently just started using virtualbox on my mac machine and the performance is very slow on windows 10. My macbook is fairly new and has 16GB of RAM so not too sure if my configuration is wrong, or what could be causing my virtual machine to experience slow performance. Also in the activity monitor, virtualbox is using 200% of my CPU.

Before you do anything else, make sure your Mac is updated to the latest version of OS X your computer supports, and verify it has 8GB or more of RAM.

1) Download Windows 10

Boot camp mac download

You can now download an ISO of the installation disk directly from Microsoft. Most likely, you need the 64-bit version. The file you download will be over 3GB, so get this started and move on!

2) Purchase a Windows License

You will need to purchase a Windows 10 Home (64-bit) license, which is available new on Amazon (search for “Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit OEM”) or a second-hand license available on eBay. What you really need is the activation key, since DVD drives are very uncommon these days.

Please note that you can install Windows without a license key, but you’ll get a nasty reminder if you don’t activate after a few weeks.

3) Download and Install VirtualBox

Save the DMG to a location on your computer where you will be able to find it (Downloads, Desktop, etc.). If you are on a Mac, you need the version for “OS X hosts.” VirtualBox must be installed before it can be used. When you mount the DMG, you must then run the VirtualBox installer, which will place VirtualBox into your Applications folder.

4) Create your Virtual Machine (VM)

  1. When you run VirtualBox for the first time, there will be no virtual machines (VMs) installed.
  2. Click New in the toolbar, which will launch the New Virtual Machine Wizard.
    1. Give your VM a name such as “Windows 10”.
    2. Select “Windows” as the operating system, and “Windows 10 (64 bit)” as the version.
    3. Go with the recommended memory (2048 MB, or 2 GB).
    4. Leave the default “Create a virtual hard disk now” selected.
    5. Choose “Create.”
  3. Next you must configure the hard disk for your VM to use. The default settings should be fine (the drive is dynamic, so will only use the least amount of space on your host computer). Choose “Create.”
  4. You will now be taken back to the Virtual Machine Manager, which will no longer be empty. You should see the VM you created, and it should be “Powered Off”. Your VM is a computer within a computer, which means it must be started and shut down like a normal computer (it also means it can get viruses so be careful).

5) Install Windows

  1. Select the new VM you created and choose Settings (gear icon).
  2. Scroll down to the “Storage” section
  3. Select “[Optical Drive] Empty” and choose “Choose/Create a disk image…” A dialog will open.
  4. Choose “Add,” select the ISO you download earlier, and select “Choose”
  5. Click the green “Start” arrow to start your VM.
    You may see a warning that “Auto capture keyboard” is turned on. What is important to note on this screen is the host key, which is set to Left Command key. Use this key to “release” the mouse and keyboard from the VM to switch back to your Mac. You will need to do this if your mouse and keyboard appear to be “stuck” in the VM, meaning you can’t move the mouse out of the VM. Normally after Windows installed, you can simply move your mouse out of the VM window and it will be back on your Mac side.
  6. Your VM should start for the first time. It will boot like a normal computer, but in a window on your Mac. You may get the Virtual Machine host key warning again, select “Do not show this message again” and then “Capture”. You must remember your host key, which defaults to the left Command key.
  7. Now you’re in the Windows installer. Follow the on-screen instructions, the default settings should be fine. One screen that is a little confusing is the “Upgrade” or “Custom” installation. Since this is a new VM, there is nothing to upgrade, so Custom would be the most logical choice.

Your VM may reboot a few times as Windows in installed, but most of your time will be spent watching your screen, so this would be a good time to get up and walk around.

6) Configure a Shared Folder

Before you can actually use your new VM, you will need to enable a shared folder. This folder is used to access files on your Mac from your VM. If you don’t have a shared folder, then your VM will be landlocked, meaning you won’t be able to get files on or off (you could theoretically use a USB key). To configure a shared folder, your VM must be powered off.

  1. In your VM configuration window, scroll down to the Shared Folders section. Clicking this heading will open the shared folders Window.
  2. Click the “Add a new shared folder definition” button to add a share.
  3. Click the down arrow in the folder path box and select “Other…”. Navigate to a folder on your Mac, such as your Desktop or your Documents folder. Once you have chosen your folder, click “Choose”.
  4. The folder name will automatically populate the “Folder Name” box, but you can change it should you wish. Make sure “Read-only” is not checked, and that “Auto-mount” is checked.

7) Guest Additions

Start up your VM, when it is finished booting and you have added a user account, your final step is to install some software that VirtualBox will use to make using your VM perform a little better. From the “Devices” menu, select “Install Guest Additions”.

8) Use your VM!

You have now successfully installed VirtualBox and Windows. You may now install other software that you will need for courses. If you attached a USB key (or insert a CD or DVD into your computer), you may use it in your VM. You can also install software you download from the internet. Usually installation software ends with the extension .exe. These files can safely be downloaded on your Mac to be used in your VM. Your Mac will ignore them since .exe files are not compatible.

You will need to have Office on either your Mac or PC. Some software may require Office to be installed on Windows.

If you have any questions, please refer to the VirtualBox user manual.

If you need assistance installing VirtualBox, please reach out to Prof. Troyer.

If you need help using Windows, the Help Desk may be able to assist.

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Certain programs such as Microsoft Access and Excel Add-Ons (@Risk, StatTools, other Decision Tools) are not compatible for use on a Mac. Faculty, staff, and students who need their computer to run these types of programs for work or a class will need to install Oracle's VirtualBox onto their Mac computer. VirtualBox allows the MacOS to run a Windows system on top of their computer. This is not permanent and should only be used when the user opens the VirtualBox application to run the restricted programs. VirtualBox is a free virtual machine provided by Oracle that is available for faculty, staff, and students to use.


The following instructions are for the installation of VirtualBox on a Mac:

Prior to installing, make sure you have:

  • ~30 GB of free space
  • ~45 minutes for complete installation


First, install VirtualBox application:

  1. Go to https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
  2. Under 'VirtualBox platform packages', click 'OS hosts'.
    1. This will download the base VirtualBox application
  3. Under 'VirtualBox Oracle VM Extension Pack', click 'All supported platforms'
    1. This will download the VB extension pack
  4. Locate the 2 downloaded files in your folder, and open the first file VirtualBox-6.1.10-138449-OSX.dmg
    1. It will open a drive window, click 'VirtualBox.pkg
    2. Proceed with the installation by clicking through to Agree
    3. *** If you get an error that says Installation Failed, follow these steps:
      1. Open up System Preferences
      2. Click on the Security & Privacy icon
      3. Hopefully you’ll see a message saying System software from developer “Oracle America, Inc.” was blocked from loading.
      4. If you do see the message, click the lock icon in the bottom left of the window
      5. Enter your Mac password
      6. Then click the Allow button
      7. Try the installation again
  5. Locate the second file and open Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-6.1.10.vbox-extpack
    1. Double-clicking the file will automatically open the VirtualBox application
    2. Either click 'install' or 'upgrade'
    3. Allow the extension pack to install and once you're done, it should look like this

Now that you have VirtualBox installed, you need to install the OVA file that allows Windows 10 to be run with VirtualBox:


  1. Go to https://utexas.app.box.com/v/msb-student-vms
  2. Login with your EID and Password
  3. Click the 3 dots to the right of the Windows10-2004.ova file and click Download
  4. Once the file finishes downloading, locate the file and double-click to open. **Do not delete the OVA file from your computer
  5. Make sure these settings are selected and click Import
  6. Let the installer run and once it is done you can open VirtualBox


Next, we want to change some settings so we can view the window in full screen:

  1. Open VirtualBox from your Launchpad or list of applications
  2. Select Windows2004 from the left side
  3. Click the green Start arrow
  4. Windows will power up
  5. Navigate to the toolbar at the top of the screen and select Device
  6. Click Insert Guest Additions CD Image...
  7. Open file explorer from the taskbar at the bottom > This PC
  8. Double-click CD Drive (D:) VirtualBox Guest Additions
  9. Click Next>and follow through with the installation
  10. Select to Reboot Now at the end of the installer
  11. Once the Windows system reboots, navigate to the toolbar at the top of the screen
  12. Click View > Full-Screen Mode


Next, we will create shared folders. This will allow you to share the same folder such as 'Downloads' between the Mac side and Windows side. This will allow you to download files into your MacOS in a folder and access it from the Windows VirtualBox and vice versa.

  1. Navigate to the toolbar at the top of the screen, click Devices > Shared Folders > Shared Folder Settings
  2. Click the Folder with a plus sign on the right
  3. Click the drop-down arrow next to Folder Path and click Other
  4. Choose the folder from your Mac that you would like to share
  5. Once the folder is chosen, check the boxes Auto-Mount and Make Permanent
  6. Click Ok
  7. To access the shared folder, go to File Explorer > This PC and the shared folder will be a Z or Y drive


The following steps are to install Microsoft Office onto the Windows interface:

  1. Open Microsoft Edge
  2. Go to office365.austin.utexas.edu
  3. Select Office 365 Portal
  4. Sign in with your EID and Password. Authenticate with DUO if asked to.
  5. Once logged on, click Install Office > Office 365 Apps

  6. Click Run when asked to download file and wait for Office to install

If you need Decision Tools to run these following Excel Add-ons (@Risk, StatTools, PrecisionTree, TopRank, etc.) follow these steps:

  1. In VirtualBox, open Microsoft Edge
  2. Go to https://utexas.box.com/v/dtsinstaller
  3. Login with your EID and password
  4. Click Download and allow the file to Run
  5. Open DTS_Installer.exe
  6. Click Install and allow the installation to run
  7. The installer will suddenly close when the progress bar is close to the end. Wait a few moments and a second installer will pop up
  8. Click OK and select Next through the installation without changing any settings to finish the installation
  9. The Decision Tools icons will now show up on your desktop or you can find them by looking in the Start Menu under Palisade Decision Tools
  10. Double-click the program you are looking for and Excel will automatically open. The add-on will be available at the top. *Make sure to not have excel open already


When you are done using VirtualBox, make sure to always shut it down completely. Navigate cursor to top left corner to hit the red close button and select Power Off Machine. Click Ok.



Run windows on mac with virtualbox

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Windows On Mac Boot Camp

  • Can I use the Windows VirtualBox to install video games or other Windows-specific programs?
    • You can at your discretion, but it is highly not recommended. It will be slow and almost impossible to use.
  • Why is it so slow?
    • VirtualBox is a free program from Oracle, therefore it is not the fastest machine to use-- especially if you are on a MacBook Air or something that has a lower RAM. It is recommended that when you are using the Windows side that you don't switch back and forth between viewing the Mac system and the Windows system (even to answer iMessages). This can cause it to move slower.
  • Can I uninstall VirtualBox when I'm done using it for a class?
    • Yes, you can uninstall from your computer by following these steps:
      • Open the VirtualBox program
      • Right-click on Windows2004 on the left side
      • Click Remove > Delete all files
      • Allow VirtualBox to finish deleting the file
      • Once that's removed, go to your Applications folder (Cmd+Shift+A while on the Desktop)
      • Drag and drop VirtualBox to the trashcan
  • Are there any other options to use @Risk, PrecisionTree, or other Windows specific programs if I don't want to install this big program?
    • The computers in the MOD Lab and NRG all have these applications available for use.


How To Install Windows On Mac With Virtualbox

If you have any other questions or need help with the installation, please contact the McCombs Service Desk at 512-232-6616 or submit a help ticket at https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/tech