How to Run Windows Apps on Mac (The Easiest Method)
Imagine running Windows apps smoothly on your Mac without rebooting. No more switching back and forth or juggling multiple devices. Whether you need specific software for work, gaming, or everyday tasks, running Windows applications seamlessly alongside your Mac apps can dramatically enhance your productivity and convenience. In this guide, you’ll discover exactly how to make that happen quickly and easily.
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Why Should You Run Windows Apps on Mac?
As a Mac user, you’ve probably encountered situations where a software is only available for Windows. Perhaps it’s Microsoft Access for databases, specialized software for your business, or popular games from the Microsoft Store and Steam that simply haven’t made it to macOS yet.
The good news is that there’s an easy way to bridge this gap and run Windows applications smoothly alongside your regular Mac apps, almost as if they were native to your device.
Running Windows Apps Using Parallels Desktop for Mac
Parallels Desktop for Mac is probably the best option to run Windows apps on Mac. It is easy to use and trusted by thousands of users and enterprises worldwide.
Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Install Parallels Desktop
Parallels for Mac
- Go to the Parallels Desktop website.
- Click Download Free Trial or Buy Now (the full version is worth the cost if you frequently need Windows apps).
- Once downloaded, double-click the installer and follow the prompts to install.
- Parallels Desktop 20 works with Macs running macOS Monterey 12 or later, whether they have Apple Silicon or Intel processors.
Step 2: Set Up Your Windows Virtual Machine (VM)
- Launch Parallels Desktop.
- Select Install Windows. You can choose Windows 11 or 10.
- Parallels automatically downloads and installs Windows. Note that you’ll need a valid Windows license key for full activation, although you can skip this temporarily.
Step 3: Install Your Favorite Windows Applications
- After setting up Windows, open the Virtual Machine (VM).
- Install Windows apps just like you would on a regular Windows PC.
- Apps installed in Windows appear automatically in your Mac’s Launchpad and Dock.
Step 4: Run Windows Applications Side-by-Side with Mac Apps
- Use Coherence Mode (available exclusively in Parallels Desktop) to run Windows apps directly from your Mac desktop.
- Click the Coherence Mode button (two overlapping squares icon) to blend Windows apps seamlessly with your Mac environment.
Step 5: Customize Settings for Better Performance
- For optimal performance, adjust settings like memory and graphics under Configure in Parallels Desktop.
- Allocate more resources if you use graphics-intensive apps or less if you need battery efficiency.
Tips for the Best Experience
- Keep Parallels Updated: Regular updates ensure compatibility and security.
- Use Snapshots: Take regular snapshots of your VM to recover quickly from any issues.
- Integrate Cloud Storage: Sync files easily between Mac and Windows using Dropbox or OneDrive.
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Pros and Cons of Using Parallels Desktop
Pro:
- Easy setup with no complicated configuration
- Seamless integration between Mac and Windows apps
- Reliable performance even with resource-intensive applications
- Excellent customer support and frequent updates
Cons:
- Requires a valid Windows license
- Performance might decrease slightly if you have an older Mac
- Subscription-based model (though many users find it affordable)
Parallels Desktop is easily the simplest and most effective method to run Windows apps on a Mac. Once set up, you’ll enjoy the convenience of both ecosystems without any hassle.
Other Apps to Run Windows on Mac
In addition to Parallels Desktop, there are some other apps that let you run Windows apps on Mac:
1. VMware Fusion
- Similar to Parallels.
- Lets you create virtual machines for Windows, Linux, etc.
- Offers strong performance and good resource management.
- Best for developers and businesses needing robust virtualization.
2. VirtualBox
- Free and open-source.
- Supports Windows, Linux, and other OS virtual machines.
- Slightly less user-friendly and polished compared to Parallels and VMware.
- Ideal for users who prefer a free solution.
3. CrossOver
- Runs Windows apps on Mac without installing Windows.
- Uses compatibility layers (Wine-based).
- Limited support for apps; performance can vary.
- Good if you only need a few specific apps.
4. Boot Camp (Intel Macs only)
- Built-in Mac solution to install Windows alongside macOS.
- Offers native Windows performance since you boot directly into Windows.
- Requires restarting your Mac to switch between macOS and Windows.
- Not available on newer Macs with Apple Silicon (M1/M2).
Summary
| Feature | Parallels Desktop | VMware Fusion | VirtualBox | CrossOver | Boot Camp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Seamless integration and ease-of-use | Professional and robust setups | Free solution for tech-savvy users | Limited Windows apps without installing Windows | Native Windows performance on Intel Macs |
| Setup Ease | ✅ Very easy | ✅ Moderate | ⚠️ Technical knowledge required | ✅ Easy | ⚠️ Moderate (requires rebooting) |
| Integration with macOS | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Good | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Good (limited apps) | ❌ None (requires reboot) |
| Performance | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Very good | ⚠️ Good, but slower | ⚠️ Varies by app | ✅ Native Windows performance |
| Resource Usage | ✅ Optimized | ✅ Optimized | ⚠️ Higher resource usage | ✅ Light | ✅ Best (uses hardware directly) |
| Requires Windows License | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Supports Apple Silicon (M1/M2) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Limited support | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (Intel Macs only) |
| Price | From $99.99/year (subscription) | From $149 (one-time) | Free | From $74/year | Free (Windows license required) |
| Free Trial | ✅ 14 days | ✅ 30 days | ✅ Completely Free | ✅ 14 days | ✅ Included with macOS |
| Support & Updates | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Very Good | ⚠️ Community-based | ✅ Good | ✅ Official Apple Support |
| My Rating | ⭐ 4.9 | ⭐ 4.8 | ⭐ 4.7 | ⭐ 4.5 | ⭐ 4.4 |
- Parallels Desktop: Best ease-of-use, seamless integration, and excellent performance.
- VMware Fusion: Great alternative, especially if you prefer a professional setup.
- VirtualBox: Good free alternative if you’re tech-savvy.
- CrossOver: Simplest solution for limited Windows apps without installing Windows.
- Boot Camp: Best performance for Intel Mac users who don’t mind rebooting.
Parallels remains my top recommendation, but these alternatives may suit different use cases or budgets.
Best MacBooks for Running Windows Apps
Running Windows apps on Mac through Parallels or UTM takes more RAM than running native apps. If you’re going this route, 16GB is the absolute minimum. I run Windows 11 ARM in Parallels on my MacBook Pro M2, and it handles Office, Visual Studio, and even some games without issues.
For casual Windows app use (Office, a specific business app), the MacBook Air M3 15″ is plenty. For heavy workloads where you need Windows and macOS apps running side-by-side, get the MacBook Pro with 16GB+. The difference in multitasking is worth the price jump.
Apple 2023 MacBook Air Laptop with M2 chip: 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage,…
- IMPRESSIVELY BIG, IMPOSSIBLY THIN — The 15.3 – inch MacBook Air makes room for more of what you love with a spacious Liquid Retina display. The durable 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosure is strikingly thin and light.
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 — Get more done faster with a powerful 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and up to 24GB of unified memory.
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day with the power-efficient performance of the Apple M2 chip. (Battery life varies by use and configuration. See apple.com/batteries for more information.)
- SPACIOUS, BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY — The high-resolution, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display features 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color, and support for one billion colors for vibrant images and incredible detail. (The display on the 15-inch MacBook Air has rounded corners at the top. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 15.3 inches diagonally; actual viewable area is less.)
- SILENT DESIGN — MacBook Air features a fanless design that runs completely silent, no matter the task.
Apple 2023 MacBook Pro Laptop with Apple M2 Pro chip with 12‑core CPU and 19‑core GPU: 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR…
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 PRO OR M2 MAX — Take on demanding projects with the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip. M2 Pro has up to 12 CPU cores, up to 19 GPU cores, and up to 32GB unified memory. M2 Max has 12 CPU cores, up to 38 GPU cores, and up to 96GB unified memory.
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day thanks to the power-efficient design of the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip. And the MacBook Pro laptop delivers exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- FULLY COMPATIBLE — All your pro apps run lightning fast — including Adobe Creative Cloud, Xcode, Affinity Designer, Microsoft 365, and many of your favorite iPhone and iPad apps.
- BEAUTIFUL PRO DISPLAY — The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display features Extreme Dynamic Range, over 1000 nits of brightness for stunning HDR content, and pro reference modes for doing your best work on the go.
- ADVANCED CAMERA AND AUDIO — Look sharp and sound great with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a studio-quality three-mic array, and a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio.