Run Windows programs on Mac easily

5 ways you can run Windows programs on Mac easily

The Mac system has a lot of great software, but we can not deny the widespread Windows software from MacOS. Therefore, many Mac users need to run Windows programs on the Mac from time to time. Whether the program is related to your business and only works on Windows, or because there is a program in Windows that works more efficiently than another program on the Mac.

Although the macOS operating environment has seen high growth in terms of the number of programs that support it recently, many programs still run on Windows only because the Windows environment is more attractive to programmers around the world. But if you want to use business software or play games for Windows, fortunately there are many ways that Windows can run on Mac.

Method 1: Install Windows as an imaginary system

Create a phantom system by Parallels

Virtual Machines or Virtual Machines is one of the best ways you can rely on to run Windows programs in any other environment. Phantom systems allow you to install the entire Windows system and work it in a window on your MacOS desktop. Windows will be inspired to work on a real computer, but it works in a program on another operating system, Mac. All you need is the Windows activation key plus the ISO version of Windows 10 or the version of Windows that you want to use.

There are many phantom systems that you can use on the Mac, where you can use Parallels Desktop, which works perfectly to use Windows on Mac and run its programs smoothly. Or, you can also try VMware Fusion, which performs well. Keep in mind that both are paid programs, where you need to purchase the activation license after the free trial period. But if you see that buying a Windows license + purchasing a software license to create phantom systems is expensive, you can only buy a Windows license and use the completely free VirtualBox program that works on all operating systems as an open source.

Any program will work well to run Windows programs on Mac. The only downside here is that the phantom systems do not give you amazing graphic performance, so this is not the best way to run Windows games on the Mac, yes it will - but with poor performance, even in the perfect situation. Many games, especially the modern ones, will be difficult to run on the best graphical settings.

Method 2: Install Windows next to macOS

Boot Camp to run Windows on Mac

Apple's Boot Camp allows you to install Windows together with MacOS so that your Mac is dual operating system. Thus, you will be able to use one system each time you turn on the device, which means that you will need to restart your device to switch between MacOS and Windows. This is exactly like the Dual-Boot feature in Windows and Linux.

We have already explained how to use Boot Camp to explain the Windows 10 installation of the Mac. In general, this method (installing Windows as a real operating system on a Mac) is best not only because it will allow Windows to run on Mac more efficiently and faster but also if you want to run Windows games at the maximum graphical performance the device can achieve. Windows will consume the full technical specifications of your Mac, giving you a perfect experience and performance.

The only downside here is that you can not run macOS programs and Windows programs side by side at the same time. If you only want to run your favorite Windows programs along with Mac applications, most often the first way is optimized. On the other hand, if you want to run the latest Windows games on your Mac, this method will be the best. In both cases, you'll also need a Windows license key to successfully install it on your Mac.

Method 3: Use the Wine program as a medium

Wine is originally designed to run Windows programs on different Linux distributions. Wine is a compatibility layer that allows Windows programs to work on other operating systems by trying to reprogram the program so that it can work as efficiently on an environment other than Windows. This means that Wine is not reliable for running any Windows program, as it is difficult and can handle some errors during setup. You can check out the AppDB page to get an idea of ​​the programs supported in the Wine database, which, as of the writing of this article, is 26181 programs.

But although the program is specifically designed to support Linux, it is also a way to try running Windows programs on the Mac. Where you can download Wine for MacOS and install it and adjust the different settings so you can run the program that you want to use on your Mac. Since you do not actually need to use Windows, you're going to buy a Windows license. The program is completely free and since its launch in 1993 to this day has been updated continuously. So, it is worth the experience.

Method 4: Use the CrossOver program

CrossOver is a paid program that will also be able to run Windows programs on Mac. The program uses Wine's code to do this. But instead of adjusting the program's operating settings manually, CrossOver comes with a beautiful and simple graphical interface so you can adjust all settings with the click of a button !. Also great at CrossOver is that it focuses on officially supporting Windows programs. If a program does not work, you can communicate with CrossOver and be sure that the program will be workable on the macOS environment as soon as possible. Payment for CrossOver for $ 21 (annual license price) contributes to the continuation of the Wine project.

CrossOver provides a free trial version so you can take an idea of ​​how to use it before deciding whether to buy or not. You can also see through this page a list of all programs that work well through this program. Although the program focuses on compatibility, it still depends on Wine and will not work with all programs. While you can play Windows games better than you do when you install Windows as an imaginary system, you risk running into an experience full of problems and errors. Boot Camp is still a better solution for games.

Method 5: Control the Windows Remote Device

If you already have a Windows computer, you can bypass the idea of ​​running Windows programs on the Mac and take advantage of the remote control to access your Windows computer from your Mac directly, so you install the software on the first computer while you control it from the second computer. Windows-based organizations can host Windows servers and make their programs available on all other operating systems - Mac, Linux or even Android. But if you're a regular user looking for a quick way to control your Windows PC from Mac, you'd better use the Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 from Microsoft. But keep in mind that this is not ideal for programs that need super graphics, especially games.

If you're a Google Chrome user, you can use the Chrome Remote Desktop extension, which will do the same, connecting any Windows computer and Google Chrome browser to another device that uses Google Chrome as well.