Microsoft’s Windows is the prominent player among the major operating systems in the world. There is a wide range of devices depending on the Windows OS and this makes it the market leader. But MacOS has a separate fan base and people love its usability.
While this is the case, let us get into the complete guide on how to set up macOS on a Windows computer.
Can a Mac OS run on a Windows Computer?
Running macOS on a windows computer is possible. If you want to proceed legally, then you can make use of Virtual machines and install the macOS in them. Another method is illegal which uses a third-party application on your PC to install the macOS. While the virtual machine can provide you with only limited access to applications, the other method will provide you with more functionality and the ability to use applications efficiently on your PC.
There are two methods to run macOS on a Windows computer. You can install the OS on a virtual machine and use it or You can install a software emulator on your PC and run the macOS. The latter is more functional and useful than the former method. Therefore, we will discuss how to install macOS Catalina Version on any Intel-Based PC.
System Requirements – PC
First of all, you will need a PC that has an Intel Core i3, i5, i7, or i9 processor. Then you require a minimum RAM of 4GB or more.
The BIOS type must be UEFI and the system type should be a 64-bit OS, x64-based processor.
System Requirements – Mac
Without a Mac, you cannot download the macOS. Therefore, you will need any one of the following Macs:
- MacBook – 2015 or Newer
- MacBook Air – Mid 2012 or Newer
- MacBook Pro – Mid 2012 or Newer
- Mac mini – Late 2012 or Newer
- iMac – Late 2012 or newer
- iMac Pro – 2017
- Mac Pro – Late 2013 or newer
Hardware Requirements
You will need a USB drive with at least 16GB of free space and a Hard drive with at least 100GB of free space.
You will need a USB C adapter to connect the USB to the Mac and vice versa.
Downloading the macOS
You can download the macOS Catalina for free if you have any one of the following OS versions on your existing Mac device:
- Snow Leopard
- Lion
- Mountain Lion
- Mavericks
- Yosemite
- El Captain
- macOS Sierra
- High Sierra
- Mojave
Now in any one of the above-mentioned devices with any of the versions listed above, go to the App store.
Log in with your Apple ID and download macOS Catalina. Once you have completed the download, go to the /Applications and you will see the “Install macOS Catalina” app.
Setting up and installing the macOS on a PC
After downloading the OS to your Mac, you have to create a bootable USB drive using a third-party application. Then you have to install the OS on your PC. Let us get through each step and perform the installation.
Creating a Bootable USB drive
First of all, you need to register at tonymacx86.com to get the software emulators known as UniBeast and MultiBeast.
Go to the website, and create a user account so that you can download the UniBeast software from the site on your Mac.
Now, the first step in creating a drive is to disable the System Integrity Protection (SIP) in your Mac. To perform that, you need to restart your Mac.
While restarting, before the OS boots up, hold down Command + R keys till you see the Apple logo and a progress bar. Once you see this, release the button to enter into Recovery mode.
In this mode, go to the Utility menu and select the Terminal option. Here, you have to type the following command exactly as it is: csrutil disable.
The terminal will show a message that the SIP has been disabled. Then from the menu, select Restart.
After completing the Restart, insert the USB drive and open /Applications/ Utilities/Disk Utility. Here select the USB drive you have inserted in the left side column.
Now click on Erase and in the Name column type USB and in the Format column choose, MacOS Extended. Then click Erase and then click on Done.
After completing this step, you can now download the UniBeast software from the website you registered and run the software on your Mac.
Once you run the software, you will have a prompt. Click on Continue till you reach the Destination Select option. Here choose USB and click on Continue.
In the next prompt, it says Select OS Installation, choose Catalina and click continue. The next screen shows Bootloader Options where you have to choose UEFI Boot Mode.
After this, you can choose a graphics configuration according to your PC spec and finally verify the installation options, click on Continue, enter your password, and proceed to install.
UniBeast will create the bootable drive with your USB and once the process is complete, download the MultiBeast and drag it into your USB drive.
Installing macOS on a PC
Since you are installing a different OS on your PC it is recommended to choose the following BIOS settings before you start the installation.
Go to the BIOS setup on your PC. You have to enter into this setup before the OS boots up and there are different ways to enter according to the motherboard you are using.
Once you enter into the BIOS setup, load Optimized Defaults and Disable the following options:
- VT-d
- CFG-Lock
- Secure Boot Mode
- IO serial port
You have to set the OS type to Other OS and enable XHCI Handoff. After performing these, save and exit.
Now for installing the OS, you have to turn on your PC and enter into booting from a device. There is a hotkey for each motherboard and press the appropriate one. After entering the boot menu, choose USB.
On the boot screen, choose Boot macOS Install from the Install macOS Catalina option. This will lead you to an installer where you have to choose a language.
Before installing the OS into the drive, you have to erase and format the destination drive. After choosing the language, choose the Disk Utility option from the macOS utility menu.
Click the View option present in the upper left corner and click Show All Devices. Select the Hard Drive you have chosen to install the OS and click Erase.
In the Name column type Catalina and in the Format column choose APFS. Then click Erase and finally close the Disk Utility.
The Installer will ask where to install and you have to choose Catalina. After installation, the system will automatically restart and you have to enter into the boot menu using the hotkey.
Here choose USB and at the Boot screen choose Catalina. This will complete the macOS installation and the system will restart automatically.
Booting MacOS from Hard Drive
In order to use your PC normally with the macOS, you have to make sure that the OS boots from the hard drive instead of the USB every time.
To perform this, you need the MultiBeast software which helps you to enable boot from the hard drive and install audio, network, and Graphics support.
So, to complete your installation, boot your PC from USB once again and this time choose Catalina. After the installation, run MultiBeast on this PC with macOS.
Choose UEFI boot Mode and choose the appropriate drivers for your PC. Click on Bootloaders and Customize to get further options.
Click on Save to back up your configuration. Then Click Build and click on Install. After this step, reboot your PC and you will have a fully functional MacOS on your PC.
Also Read:
Is it legal to run macOS on a Windows Computer?
No, it is illegal to run macOS on a Windows Computer. While Mac has an option to run Windows OS on its devices natively, Windows doesn’t have such a setup.
Installation of macOS on other devices is a violation of Apple’s right and you will be violating the End User License Agreement as per the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Installing macOS on Windows PC: Does it look like a real Mac?
The hack we mentioned above works very well and you can get the real Mac experience. With high-performing hardware specs in your PC, you can get more than you expected with it. But there might be some difficulties in updating the Applications and OS because you have to depend on a similar procedure to get the system updated to the latest version.
Conclusion
Using the macOS on a PC is completely a unique experience. Even though the process is tedious and difficult, you can get a good user experience with a high-performing PC. Those who are interested to use macOS should try this out. You can also download the latest versions of the OS from tonymacx86.com.
