Best Ways To Run Windows On a Mac in 2024 (Free & Paid)

Running Windows on your Mac gives you the best of both worlds, allowing you to conveniently use macOS and Windows-only applications side-by-side.

However, with so many options out there to do so, it can be difficult knowing where to start.

We’ve tried and tested the best methods to run Windows on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs and found that using a virtual machine is the fastest and easiest method to get full access to Windows on Macs in 2024.

However, we tried a range of different methods including those that allow you to use Windows apps and games without actually having to install Windows itself.

We also found that installing Windows on your Mac doesn’t have to be expensive either and some methods are even FREE.

Here then we look at them in more detail.

1. Virtual Machines (Free & Paid)

For most Mac users, using a virtual machine is the easiest and most convenient way to use Windows only on a Mac.

A virtual machine (also known as a virtual environment, virtualization software or hypervisor) allows you to run Windows “virtually” within macOS so that they run side-by-side simultaneously.

By far the best virtual machine for Mac we’ve used is Parallels ($99.99/£89.99 per year) which automatically downloads and installs Windows 11 on a Mac making it easy enough even for beginners to use.

We found that Parallels is the best software to do this for its ease of installation, speed, and the various clever ways it conveniently allows you to switch between macOS and Windows.

However, there are other virtual machines available and the next best thing we’ve tried to Parallels is VMware Fusion which is FREE to use for non-commercial use.

VMware Fusion also now offers automatic installing and downloading of Windows 11 on a Mac but isn’t quite as fast, slick, or as easy to use as Parallels.

You can check out our full comparison of Parallels vs VMWare Fusion for a more in-depth look at how they stack-up head-to-head.

There are also other free and open source options to consider such as VirtualBox and UTM although these are harder to setup, not as powerful and don’t feature the same seamless integration with macOS and Windows.

You can check out more about these in our look at the best virtual machines for Mac.

Pros:

• Some virtual machines are free to use
• Very easy to install Windows
• Runs Windows and macOS simultaneously
• Suitable for both using applications and gaming
• Supports Windows keyboard shortcuts
• Can be deployed across lots of Macs by IT teams

Cons:

• Will not support games that use anti-cheat protection software
• Does not support running DirectX 12 (but does support DirectX 11)
• Some virtual machines require a subscription
• Can’t accelerate graphics card for gaming as well as Boot Camp

2. Apple Boot Camp (Free, Intel Macs Only)

Traditionally, Apple Boot Camp has been the most popular way to install Windows in a partition on a Mac but is gradually becoming more obsolete because it only works on Intel Macs – it does not work with Apple Silicon Macs.

Boot Camp is a free tool in macOS which allows you to install Windows on a separate part of your hard drive so you can choose whether to dual boot your Mac in either Windows or macOS.

Historically, using Boot Camp to run Windows only games has been especially popular with gamers because Boot Camp leverages more power from your graphics card as it doesn’t have to run a virtual machine.

The disadvantage of installing Windows with Boot Camp is that you’re restricted to using either Windows or macOS at one time – you can’t switch between the two instantly like with virtualization software.

The other big drawback is that Boot Camp also does not work with Apple Silicon Macs which is the chipset that’s powered Macs made from late 2020 onwards.

You can check out how to install Windows with Boot Camp for more.

Pros:

• Free in macOS on Intel Macs
• Easy to setup
• Dedicates all of your Mac’s hardware and resources to running Windows
• Better for gaming as it leverages more power from the graphics card
• Works for games protected by anti-cheat software
• Works for apps and games that require DirectX 12

Cons:

• Only allows you to boot in either macOS or Windows
• Requires dedicating some of your Mac hard drive space to running Windows
• Some games won’t work with Boot Camp installations
• Will not work with the latest Apple Silicon M-chip Macs

3. Crossover

Crossover is a compatibility layer which “translates” Windows only apps and games to work on a Mac without actually having to install Windows.

Crossover is the best way of playing Windows games on a Mac although it can also run Windows only applications too.

Crossover is based on the open source project Wine (see below) but in a far easier to use interface. It’s much easier to setup and use but it’s not free.

It doesn’t work with all games and apps though and we recommend checking the list of Crossover supported apps and games before buying it.

Crossover is also one of the few ways of running Windows games and applications that require DirectX 12.

Pricing for the Crossover+ plan starts at $74.00 (£60.00) per year with discounts on renewals. There’s also the Crossover Life plan for $494 (£414.00) which is a one-time purchase including lifetime upgrades and support.

You can also try a 14 day free trial of Crossover to test it first.

You can also check out our full Crossover review for more.

Pros:

• Doesn’t require installing Windows to use Windows games and apps
• Doesn’t require rebooting your Mac to play Windows games
• Works with some games and software on M-chip Macs
• Supports DirectX 12
• One-time purchase option available

Cons:

• Annual subscription on base plan
• Doesn’t work with all Windows apps and games
• Slow to update when new versions of macOS are released

4. Wine (Free)

Wine (which stands for “Wine Is Not an Emulator”) is a free way to install Windows on your Mac and it works by “wrapping” Windows in macOS.

Wine is an open-source project although it is sponsored by CodeWeavers that are also behind Crossover (see above).

Wine is neither a Windows emulator or a virtual machine but is known as a compatibility layer that translates Windows applications and games to work on Mac and Linux.

Until recently, Wine was only 32-bit which meant that it did not support the latest versions of macOS but Wine 7 has been updated to support 64-bit operating systems including macOS Sonoma.

Wine also now works on the latest Apple Silicon Macs and supports Rosetta for running Intel applications on M1, M2 and M3 Macs.

We only recommend Wine for those that really know what they’re doing and have strong technical skills with Macs. Wine is notoriously difficult to use, setup and many times, doesn’t even work properly for all problems.

If you’re brave enough to try Wine, definitely check out the list of supported Wine applications first to avoid saving yourself a lot of pain.

Pros:

• Free to use
• Doesn’t require installing Windows
• Now supports 64-bit applications and games
• Works on Apple Silicon Macs

Cons:

• Complicated to setup for many apps
• Doesn’t work with all Windows programs
• Installation often breaks with updates to macOS
• Does not work with games protected by anti-cheat software
• Does not support DirectX 12

5. Remote Desktop Software (Free & Paid)

Another convenient option to access Windows from a Mac is to use remote desktop software to connect to a Windows PC.

Remote desktop apps connect to any Windows machine and then display the desktop of the PC on your Mac desktop.

This isn’t an ideal solution though because there’s usually plenty of lag between the PC, Mac or mobile device you’re connecting to and your Mac.

It’s also limited in what you can actually do – you can usually drag files and folders, open documents and save files but it’s certainly not suitable for playing games.

For businesses, probably the easiest way to do this nowadays is to use Windows App (formerly Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac) which streams Windows to a Mac from the Cloud and can be used either with a remote desktop client or simply in a browser.

For a look at some of the options available, check out our guide to the best remote desktop tools for Mac.

Pros:

• Doesn’t require installing Windows on any emulators on a Mac
• Lots of apps to help you connect to a Windows machine
• Easy to use once setup
• Some remote desktop apps work with Apple Silicon Macs
• Allows you to access and use apps that require DirectX 12

Cons:

• Can be lots of lag
• Remote desktop apps vary in price
• Doesn’t give you access to as many features as Parallels
• Requires access to a PC

Windows on Mac FAQ

Can I run Windows on an Apple Silicon Mac?

Yes, you can run Windows on Apple Silicon Macs using virtualization tools like Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, CrossOver, and UTM. Boot Camp is not available for Apple Silicon Macs.

Which method is best for running Windows on a Mac?

The best method depends on your needs:

• Virtual Machines: Either Parallels Desktop (best for seamless switching between macOS and Windows) or VMware Fusion (similar to Parallels with slower performance but free).
• Boot Camp: Best for native performance but only available for Intel Macs.
• CrossOver: Best for running specific Windows applications without installing Windows.
• Wine: Best if you’re comfortable configuring and setting-up open source software.
• Remote Desktop: Best if you have access to a Windows PC remotely.

Do I need a Windows license to run Windows in macOS?

Yes, you need a valid Windows license to install and run Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp, Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or UTM.

Will running Windows on my Mac affect performance?

Running Windows on your Mac using virtualization tools can slightly impact performance compared to running it natively on a Windows PC.

However, Apple Silicon Macs are more powerful than the previous generation of Intel Macs and performance issues are much less of an issue than they were.

Boot Camp offers the best performance since it runs Windows natively.

Can I run Windows games on a Mac?

Yes, you can run Windows games on a Mac using any of these methods although we wouldn’t recommend remotr desktop software (tto much lag) or the UTM virtual machine (no 3D graphics acceleration) for this.

Fore more on this, check out our guide on the best ways to run Windows games on a Mac.

Are there any free methods to run Windows on Macs?

UTM is a free virtualization tool for Apple Silicon Macs. Boot Camp is also free, but it requires a valid Windows license. Wine is free if you can set it up properly. There are also free Remote Desktop apps if you already have access to a Windows PC.

How can I transfer files between macOS and Windows?

Most of the methods we have covered allow you to exchange files and folders but we found that Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion are the only ones that make it easy to share folders, allowing you to easily transfer files between macOS and Windows.

Are there any risks installing Windows on my Mac?

There are absolutely no risks running or accessing Windows on your Mac. All of the methods we have covered effectively isolate the rest of your Mac from any potential problems with viruses, malware or adware.

If a Windows installation on a virtual machine or Boot Camp were to get a virus or corrupted in some way, it wouldn’t damage macOS. You can simply delete the Windows installation and reinstall it.

If you choose to access Windows remotely with remote desktop software then there’s even less risk as Windows isn’t even hosted on your Mac.

However, we always recommend backing-up your Mac with Time Machine before trying any of these methods to be on the safe side.

Is installing Windows on a Mac legal?

Installing Windows on any Mac (or any other computer) is perfectly legal.

In fact, Apple actively encourages it by providing Boot Camp in Intel Macs and there’s no issues with the Windows EULA installing it on Macs using any of these methods.

You can also use both Windows 10 and Windows 11 for free perfectly legally. Microsoft only requires you to purchase a product key for Windows if you want to personalize things like the desktop wallpaper, theme and other minor tweaks.