Here is a full guide on “How to install macOS Catalina on VMware Workstation on Windows PC”. Using the tutorial, not only you will be able to use macOS Catalina on your VMware but using any version of macOS will be possible. Before we start the tutorial, let’s know a little bit about the macOS Catalina.
macOS Catalina is the sixteenth major release of the Apple Desktop operating system. The operating system was named after the Santa Catalina Island and was announced for the first time in June 2019 as Project Catalyst at WWDC. Different beta versions were released before the official release of the operating system.
This version of macOS is the successor of macOS High Sierra and macOS Mojave. Apple has introduced several new features and made several changes to make the OS faster, efficient, and user friendly. However, still there are a number of users who have doubts about the OS. Users are either not familiar with the OS or can’t risk to change their OS to Catalina. As there is a chance that after the upgrade, they might not like it or it is not what they were asking for.
To avoid such dilemmas, using VMware Workstation is a great idea. Here you can install macOS Catalina on your VMware Workstation and experience the macOS Catalina. Experience how it works, know about the interface and environment. And in the end, if the OS satisfied you then you can take the next step install it on your Mac.
Using the VMware, you can experience the OS at its full and if you don’t like then you can remove it from your VMware workstation. It is like getting rid of the problem while keeping yourself safe. So, let’s cut the chase and move to the installation of macOS Catalina on VMware Workstation on Windows PC.
Remember that you can install any version of macOS on VMware Workstation like this one. Only minor changes are there, instead of Catalina you can use older versions of macOS as well.
What is the macOS Virtual machine image?
Here Virtual machine (VM) means a software that does the implementation of machines used to execute programs like a physical machine. Whereas, the image of a virtual machine is a copy of an entire operating system inside a single file. The virtual machine image of any operating system means a to have a complete copy of all the necessary files of operating systems like drivers, system files, applications, and all other stuff inside your virtual machine.
In this instance, we are using VMware workstation player to install macOS Catalina on your Windows PC. So, we are going to have a virtual machine image of macOS Catalina.
Why should be use VMware Workstation?
A question might come to our mind. Why should I use VMware Workstation? Can’t I use other virtual machines-like virtual box? The answer to these questions is that it is only a matter of choice. As using any virtualization software can do the work.
Things to do before the installation
Before we being the installation of macOS Catalina on VMware Workstation. You will need to complete a few tasks. If by any chance you skip these steps then you in upcoming procedure will need to do it anyway. So, please be patient and complete the following tasks.
Download VMware Workstation– it is a powerful software used for virtualization. VMware Workstation Player formerly referred to VMware Player is robust software used for virtualization whereas VMware Workstation Pro is an improved version. The player is completely free for personal while pro requires a license as it is used for enterprises. It can help you to host any kind of operating system without putting any kind of pressure on your physical computer.
Download the ISO file of macOS Catalina– there are a number of methods to install any macOS on your VMware Workstation player. It doesn’t matter which version of macOS you are using. The only thing that matters is the format. Installing Virtual Machine Disk Image (VMDK) files on VMware is way easier as compared to ISO. We have tried both VMDK and ISO on different Virtual Machines. And as a result, we can say using ISO way more efficiently, as VMDK files can get broken. Still, instead of ISO file format, both DMG and VMDK can be used.
Download WinRAR or 7zip– you will need to download either WinRAR or 7zip for the extraction of the file. Choose between WinRAR or 7zip and download it. After downloading the macOS Catalina ISO file, you will find that the ISO file is compressed. As it will help users to download the file without any kind of problem. You will need WinRAR or 7zip to extract the file. The password for the file extraction is “Softrar.com”.
Download VMware Unlocker– by default you will find that VMware doesn’t support macOS. Here you will need to download and install Unlocker for your VMware. Unlocker will enable you to install any version of macOS on VMware workstation player.
Install macOS Catalina on VMware Workstation on Windows PC
To install macOS Catalina on VMware Workstation on Windows PC, you will need to follow these steps. Remember, if you have followed the steps and are still unable to use macOS on VMware Workstation then comment down below. We will make sure, to solve the problem as soon as possible.
Step 1: VMware installation
If by any chance you haven’t installed VMware workstation then do the installation first. The installation is easy, and we know that you can do it on your own.
Still, for not facing any kind of problem you will need to pass the following procedures.
- Welcome window
- License agreement
- File destination
- User experience setting (will ask you for Customer experience program)
- Shortcuts
- Ready to install
- Complete the installation
Note: Before creating any macOS on your VMware workstation, you will need to install VMware Unlocker. Without VMware Unlocker you won’t be able to use macOS on VMware. You can download and install Unlocker by link given above.
Step 2: Create a new Virtual Machine
Now, open the VMware workstation and click on Create a New Virtual Machine icon.
1. Configure Virtual Machine settings
You will be asked for which type of settings you want to use on your virtual machine. Choose Typical (recommended) option and click on Next button.
Selecting Typical installation can save you more time, however, if you are aware of VMware then you can select the second option as well.
2. Guest OS installation
In this step you need to select the “I will install the operating system later.” option then click on Next button.
3. Select guest OS
In this step, you will need to select the guest O. You will need to select the Apple Mac OS X and select the version of macOS you are going to use. Here we have used macOS Catalina, so we have selected macOS 10.16. After selecting the macOS version, click on the Next button to continue to the next procedure.
4. Name the Virtual Machine
In this step, type a name for your virtual machine and select a path you want to use. Remember, this path will be the place where your virtual machine will be created and saved. So, make it clear as you will need to visit the files after installation again.
5. Specify disk capacity
As you have named the virtual machine, now you will need to specify the capacity. Insert the amount of storage you want to give the virtual machine by putting the number in the box given.
Next, you will need to choose between Store virtual disk as a single file or Split virtual disk into multiple files.
Splitting makes it easier to move the virtual machines between different computers, however, if you are using a single computer then we would recommend you to choose the first option.
6. Ready to create a virtual machine
A window will appear soon, click on the Finish to create a virtual machine. Clicking on the Finish button will create the virtual machine but still, some configuration is needed which takes us to the next step.
Step 3: Edit the virtual machine
Now, you will need to edit your virtual machine as there are changes that need to be made. You can edit your virtual machine by clicking on Edit virtual machine setting.
1. Remove hard disk
As you will open Edit virtual machine setting a new window will pop-up. Now, remove the hard drive by selecting the hard disk section and click on the Remove button. Select the Hard Disk section and click on the Remove button given below.
2. Add hard disk
Click on the Add button given below.
3. Add Hardware type
In this step, you will need to click on Hard disk then click on Next button.
4. Type of disk to create
SATA is best option for you, so click on SATA and continue to next step.
5. Select a disk
This is one of the most important steps. You will need to select Use an existing virtual disk option if you are using a VMDK file. If you are using ISO file then select Create a new virtual disk option and click on the Next button.
6. Specify the disk capacity again
Here in this step, you will be asked to insert the amount of storage you are going to give your virutal machine. You can add as much as you want.
Below the disk size box, you will find Allocate all disk space now option which enhances the performance of your virtual machine. Enabling it is an option you might consider.
Out of split the file in multiples or store in a single file, we would like to recommend you to choose the first option. Using the virtual disk a single file can improve your system’s performance.
7. Specify disk file
Select a folder, where you want to place your new virtual machine image which can be conducted by clicking on the Browse button. After selecting the folder, insert the name of your virtual machine in the box given and click on the Finish button.
8. Select the ISO file
The last thing to do is to select the ISO image of macOS Catalina. To select the ISO file, click on the CD/DVD (SATA) section and click on the Use ISO image file. Now, click on Browse and select the ISO file of macOS Catalina that you have downloaded. Select the file and proceed to the next step.
Step 4: Type the code
Don’t get alarmed about the code. You won’t need any knowledge about coding to perform this step. Just open the virtual image that you have created recently. The file might be named (something).vmsd. The virtual image was named in step 3 part 6.
Now, open the vmsd file with notepad and scroll down at the bottom. At the bottom of the file, you will need to paste the code given below and save the file.
smc.version = “0”Step 5: Install macOS Catalina
After pasting the code in the vmsd file, you will need to install macOS Catalina on your VMware Workstation.
Open the VMware Workstation and click on Power on this virtual machine. At this moment your virtual machine will start and you will see the loading screen of macOS.
The moment the loading screen ends, you will face a window with different options. Here select the install macOS options and an agreement with software terms and conditions will appear. Accept the terms and conditions provided by the software and move to the next step.
Again a small pop-up window will appear for asking to agree with terms and conditions. Accept and move to the next step.
In this step choose a hard drive where you want to install your macOS. Choose the hard disk and click on install. Soon a loading screen will appear, wait for it to get completed. Now, restart your virtual machine.
Restarting your virtual machine will take you to the real installation of macOS Catalina. The first thing after the loading screen will be a window asking for the location.
Install macOS Catalina on VMware Workstation
Select the country where you are and click on Continue.
Data and privacy window will appear. Read the data and privacy and click on Continue.
Transfer Information to This Mac window will appear. Basically, it is a feature that helps users to transfer their data from the old Mac to a new one. So, here we would recommend you to select Don’t transfer any information now option and click on Continue.
You would be asked to log in with your Apple ID. We would leave that for later, for now click on the Sign Up Later.
Terms and conditions window will appear again, agree and continue to next step.
Fill out all the required information given. Insert your name, your account name, set your password, set a hint for yourself, and click on Continue.
All the settings can be customized here. However, we would recommend you to click on Continue as after the installation you can customize your macOS on your own.
macOS Analytics will appear. Again, click on Continue.
Screen Time feature will appear now. This is one of the most promising features in macOS. You will be asked to set the Weekly Reports, Downtime and App Limits, Content & Privacy Restriction, and Screen Time Passcode. It depends on you, either you want to set right now them or do it later.
For now, you should select the Set Up Later option,
Dark mode was introduced in macOS Mojave. Now, it is also present in macOS Catalina. Select the look you want to use, and click on Continue.
Applause, you have successfully installed macOS Catalina on your VMware Workstation.
Let’s wind things up. Download all the necessary files or applications first. Follow each and every step, one by one to install macOS on your macOS Catalina. If anything goes wrong, don’t feel shy. Comment down your issue and we will try to solve it as soon as possible.
