Install Windows 10 on Mac Using Virtual Machine

Yes, you can install Windows 10 on a Mac using a virtual machine (VM), which lets you run Windows as a window on your macOS desktop without rebooting. This guide explains the two main VM options (Parallels Desktop and Oracle VirtualBox), how to set them up, and what to expect in terms of performance and limitations.

Why Use a Virtual Machine Instead of Boot Camp

Apple’s Boot Camp lets you install Windows on a separate partition and boot directly into it, but it requires restarting your Mac each time you switch operating systems. A virtual machine runs Windows as an app inside macOS, so you can copy-paste between systems, share files, and use both operating systems simultaneously. The trade-off: a VM shares your Mac’s CPU, RAM, and GPU with macOS, so Windows will run slower than in Boot Camp, especially for gaming or heavy 3D work. For most productivity tasks, web browsing, and light software testing, a VM is perfectly adequate.

Two Main Virtual Machine Options

Parallels Desktop – Commercial (paid) software that is the most polished and integrated. It supports Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3) and can run Windows 11 ARM, but for Windows 10 you’ll need an Intel Mac or use an ARM version of Windows 10 (which Microsoft no longer supports for new installs). Parallels offers a 14-day free trial.
Oracle VirtualBox – Free and open-source. It works on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, but on Apple Silicon it only runs ARM versions of Windows (Windows 11 ARM, not Windows 10). VirtualBox is less user-friendly and has lower graphics performance, but it’s a solid choice if you don’t want to pay.

If you have an Intel Mac, both options can run the standard x64 version of Windows 10. If you have an Apple Silicon Mac, you cannot run the x64 version of Windows 10 in a VM; you’d need Windows 11 ARM, which is not the same as Windows 10.

What You Need Before You Start

A Mac with at least 8GB of RAM (16GB recommended) and 30-40GB of free disk space.
A Windows 10 installation ISO file – you can download it free from Microsoft’s website (the “Media Creation Tool” or direct ISO download).
For Parallels: a license (or trial). For VirtualBox: the software (free).
Your Mac’s macOS version must be compatible with the VM software – check the vendor’s system requirements.

Step-by-Step: Installing Windows 10 in VirtualBox (Intel Mac)

Download and install Oracle VirtualBox from virtualbox.org.
Download the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft’s official site.
Open VirtualBox, click “New”, name the VM (e.g., “Windows 10”), and set the type as “Microsoft Windows” and version as “Windows 10 (64-bit)”.
Allocate RAM – at least 4096 MB (4GB), but if your Mac has 16GB, give 8GB. Do not exceed half of your total RAM.
Create a virtual hard disk – choose VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image), dynamically allocated, and set size to 40GB or more.
After creation, select the VM and click “Settings” → “Storage” → click the empty optical drive icon → click the disk icon → “Choose a disk file” → select your Windows 10 ISO.
Click “Start” – the VM will boot from the ISO and begin Windows installation. Follow the on-screen prompts (choose “Custom install” when asked).
Once Windows installs, you’ll need to install “Guest Additions” – in the VM menu, click “Devices” → “Insert Guest Additions CD image” – then run the installer inside Windows for better screen resolution and clipboard sharing.

For Parallels, the process is simpler: Parallels automatically detects the ISO and guides you through installation with a wizard.

Performance, Storage, and Daily Use

Your Windows VM will run as fast as the resources you give it. If you allocate 4GB RAM and 2 CPU cores, expect sluggish performance. For smooth operation, allocate at least 8GB RAM and 4 CPU cores (if your Mac has that many). The VM will also consume disk space – a dynamically allocated disk grows as you use it, so a 40GB virtual disk might only use 15GB initially. You can also enable “3D acceleration” in VirtualBox settings (for Intel Macs) to improve graphics, but don’t expect to play modern games.

One common misconception: you cannot run Windows 10 on Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3) via a VM because Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10 on ARM. You can run Windows 11 ARM, but that’s a different OS. If you specifically need Windows 10, you must use an Intel Mac.

Common Problems and Fixes

“No bootable medium found” – The ISO isn’t attached properly. Re-check the Storage settings and ensure the ISO is mounted.
Black screen after boot – Try increasing video memory in VM settings, or disable 3D acceleration.
Slow performance – Increase RAM/CPU allocation, close other apps, and ensure you have enough free disk space.
Cannot resize window – Install Guest Additions (VirtualBox) or Parallels Tools (Parallels).
USB devices not recognized – In VirtualBox, go to Devices → USB and select the device. In Parallels, enable USB in VM settings.

Costs and Alternatives

VirtualBox is free, but you’ll need to buy a Windows 10 license (unless you have one). Parallels Desktop costs around $99 per year (or a one-time purchase for older versions). Boot Camp is free but requires a Windows license and a reboot. Another alternative is using a cloud PC (like Windows 365) which streams Windows to your Mac, but that requires a subscription and internet connection. For most users, VirtualBox is the cheapest way to test Windows 10, while Parallels is the most convenient for daily use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run Windows 10 on an M1 Mac?

No, not the standard x64 version. Apple Silicon Macs can only run ARM versions of Windows, and Microsoft no longer provides Windows 10 ARM for new installs. You’d need Windows 11 ARM, which works in Parallels or VirtualBox (with some tweaks).

Is a virtual machine safe to use?

Yes, the VM is isolated from macOS, so if Windows gets a virus, it usually won’t affect your Mac. However, shared folders and clipboard can be a bridge, so be careful with what you share. Always download Windows ISO from Microsoft’s official site.

How much RAM should I give the VM?

At least 4GB for basic use, but 8GB is recommended if your Mac has 16GB or more. Don’t allocate more than half of your total RAM, or macOS will slow down.

Can I use my Mac’s files in Windows?

Yes, you can set up shared folders in VirtualBox (Devices → Shared Folders) or use Parallels’ “Shared” feature. You can also drag-and-drop files if you have Guest Additions/Tools installed.

Will Windows 10 run fast enough for everyday tasks?

Yes, for web browsing, Office, and most business apps, a VM with 8GB RAM and 4 cores feels responsive. For gaming or video editing, it will be noticeably slower than Boot Camp or a native PC.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →