How to run windows programs on mac and Linux
Many of them have questions like How to run windows programs on mac and Linux? for this question here is the answer. A lot of Mac users are using Windows-only applications often.
Perhaps you’ve begun working remotely and want to run a particular software that is only compatible with Windows, or perhaps you have purchased a Macbook and cannot find a Mac replacement for the programs you love or play a game only compatible with Windows. No matter what the reason, you have several options available to open Windows applications on macOS.
There isn’t a perfect method of running Windows applications on Macbooks. Every method comes with each its pros and cons. We will go over How to run windows programs on mac and Linux? and the methods. You can then determine which one is most suitable for your needs.
Methods to Run Windows Programs on Mac and Linux
However, Apple, known for keeping everything in its “walled gardens,” offers its customers the option of running Windows software on the Mac. You’re aware that this is an essential requirement for many users.
If you’re using Microsoft’s Visio Professional or some other Windows-only game or software for PC, you’ll find lots of useful stuff that can be found on the other side. It’s good to know that there are multiple ways that you can run Windows programs on Linux.
- You can utilize the Apple Boot Camp and run a complete installation of Windows natively on your Mac. Dual-boot configurations allow it is possible to boot into the OS of your choice, Windows or macOS.
- Utilize an online machine.
- Install Windows applications directly using CrossOver and run the Windows application just like every other native Mac App.
Remote Access:
If you own two machines, Mac and a Windows device, you can utilize remote desktops to access files, software, and other applications on Windows PC through your Mac. There are various free programs, such as Microsoft TeamViewer and Remote Desktop for Mac, which let you access Windows machines from your Mac.
If you’re using Chrome, you can access your Windows PC having Chrome on your Mac using Google Remote Desktop. Remote access tools enable users to quickly establish Remote access to their Windows PC. To make use of this feature, you must create a remote desktop on both devices and sign in to your accounts to connect the two PCs at any time you’d like.
Wine:
Wine can be helpful when you only have a limited amount of Windows applications that you want to run on your Mac. It’s a tool for free that lets you run small applications on the Mac just by clicking. It doesn’t require installation. Wine is open-source software and doesn’t need a Windows license to be able to access Windows applications on different operating systems.
To utilize this tool, Download .exe files and open them using the Wine software to run applications straight on Mac. The program rewrites the program code to allow it to run on various operating systems. This means that it won’t be compatible with all software. It isn’t a good fit for specific Windows software.
However, it can be helpful if some applications fail; however, it works flawlessly for a few programs. Wine is usually used with third-party tools such as Wine Bottler or Wineskin to create a convenient interface.
Boot Camp:
Apple’s Boot Camp can be helpful if you work in a position that requires switching from Mac and Windows. Boot Camp lets you run Windows onto the Mac machine. It’s similar to dual-booting Linux on a Windows machine. The Apple Boot Camp lets you run Windows and Mac simultaneously on one device.
Boot Camp divides your hard drive, so it can be used to install Windows and reboot it when needed. Boot Camp isn’t able to run both Windows and Mac applications at the same time. It is necessary to restart the current program before you can reboot the other.
That’s why Boot Camp is ideal for running Windows PC games or other applications since Windows allows you to use all of the machine’s resources. But, it does not allow users to run Windows as well as Mac OS applications side by at the same time.
- Start Boot Camp using Command+ Space and then type Boot Camp before pressing Enter.
- This Boot Camp Assistant can guide you through the procedure that involves partitioning your computer, downloading, and setting up drivers on Windows, Mac, etc.
- You’ll need to select the ISO, when you click on Continue and how large you’d like the Windows partition to be. The size you’d like will depend on how you intend to utilize Windows. For instance, if you only want to run specific Windows-exclusive programs, 60GB to 100GB is plenty of space. It is possible to install a few AAA games with that amount of space but less than the amount. Select the amount of space you’d like to allocate. Be careful because if you choose to change the size of your partitions later, it will require third-party software, and things could be a mess if you’re not cautious with these.
- When you click Install, the program will begin downloading the driver called “Windows help software.”
You’ll be able to use your Mac when Boot Camp is doing its job, but it could slow down in the repartitioning process. When it’s done, your Mac will restart, and you’ll be presented with the standard Windows installer. The next step is installing Windows as you do on any other computer.
Virtual Machine:
In contrast to Bootcamp, Virtual Machine allows users to run Windows programs and Mac applications side-by-side simultaneously without having to reboot their computer. It is among the most well-known methods of running windows programs on Mac, as well as the installation of Windows OS on your Mac desktop.
To use Windows as a Virtual OS, it is necessary to require a Windows license to run Windows on the Virtual machine. Windows users with an activation key for their product can download Windows software for no charge and run it as a Virtual machine application.
Mac provides Parallels, Virtual Box, and VMware Fusion as virtual machine applications. So this concludes the topic for How to run windows programs on mac and Linux?