In this post, we’ll install macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows PC. For this procedure, we’ll also need VMware Unlocker Patch Tool for macOS or macOS VMware Unlocker Patch Tool, so we’ve provided this and also installed it in this tutorial. In a significant event of Apple’s yearly developer conference which started yesterday, the keynote was chock-full of announcements, demos, and some super mind-blowing tech. From killing iTunes to iPadOS, here’s some of the best stuff that came out at WWDC 2019 so far. In this post, we’ll install macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows PC. We’ll do with macOS Catalina Unlocker for VMware or VMware Unlocker for macOS Workstation and Player. Here’s how to do it.
That’s just a small number of things that were announced and shown yesterday, but expanding those, there are some more. While there’s a lot of new stuff to talk about but first the important stuff: Of all the things announced yesterday, by far the coolest update to Mac is the next version of macOS, which was introduced on the stage is macOS Catilina.
With the most powerful Mac, it also needs a powerful macOS operating system. The worlds most advanced desktop operating system has now got the next major release of macOS. It’s no other but macOS Catalina.
After Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, the next one is macOS Catalina. Now Catalina includes a huge deal of fresh green stuff. First off, starting off with iTunes, Apple’s Senior VP Craig Federighi nailed it with making fun of showing off some apps in iTunes.
Now there’s a new photo browsing experience, an updated start page in Safari, the brand-new gallery view in Notes and a completely redesigned reminders app. There’s also a screen time to the Mac. But when it comes to third-party apps, Mac users love to work with so they love more of them.
macOS Unlocker for VMware (VMware Unlocker Tool)
Download VMware Unlocker Tool or Unlocker for VMware which will patch VMware. This macOS Catalina Unlocker for VMware make install macOS Catalina on VMware work. If you’re wondering what Unlocker actually is. It’s VMware Unlocker for macOS which Unlocks VMware for macOS Catalina or macOS to install with the option it creates. This VMware Unlocker or VMware Unlocker for macOS will definitely make the installation successful. We’ve tested and work with VMware Unlocker in VMware Workstation and Player so that’s great.
What’s a Virtual Machine?
While it’s entirely possible for Mac users to run Windows apps on macOS, believe it or not, Windows users could actually do the opposite — running entire macOS and apps in Windows with a pretty rock-solid software, meet VMware Workstation Player. There are VMware Workstation and VMware Player version of the VMware. While the price is the most important part, but if you use the VMware Player mode, you’ll use it for free.
What VMware actually does is, it utilizes the power of virtual machines to let you try different operating systems within the Windows. For some quick background, virtual machines are a sandboxed separate environment with its own virtual hardware that allow you play with different operating systems within your working OS. There’s no doubt in you could entirely run the operating system specifically Catalina.
Install macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows PC
In order to install, you’ll certainly need the macOS Catalina image. But that doesn’t mean downloading macOS Catalina from the Apple beta program or from App Store when it’s released. Even if you do that and try installing macOS Catalina on VMware, you’ll end up without proceeding. In this case, we’ve created and configured the macOS Catalina VMware image specifically for VMware which ends up with the file extension .vmdk. All you’ve to do is download the image and extract it.
- Related: Install macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows PC [New Method]
Why You’d Want to Create a Virtual Machine
There’s a whole lot of benefits of running an operating system in the virtual machine. The first is you aren’t willing to install the operating system aside or in place of your actual operating system. The second is, you might be willing to remain your data untouched since the VM works in an entirely separated environment. The next is, you’re willing to give a try to the operating system instead of purchasing it. While the Macs are undeniably super expensive, you might want to try or work with the macOS for free which this is the perfect option.
When you could use the virtual machine, you would probably want to install macOS Catalina on your Windows computer for some reason. For all these reasons and more, you can completely try it for completely free with this walkthrough. If this sounds appealing to you, here’s how to install macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows PC. After all, there’s no compatibility question in terms of installing macOS Catalina on VMware.
What You’ll Need
If you’ve been considering giving your computer a new update, Catalina is one of the most popular operating system update available today. In order to install, we’ve created and provided you some tools that you’re going to need. Go ahead and collect them all now. Here’s the list:
- VMware Workstation / VMware Player — If I was to choose between the virtual machines apps, I would definitely choose VMware. Although VMware doesn’t support install macOS Catalina or other versions of macOS but with the quick tool, that’s not a hurdle. Not only you would install macOS Catalina but you’ll certainly experience whole features which makes Catalina awesome. With Catalina running on the virtual machine, you’ll get all the tools you’ll need in a real computer such as the internet, sound, screen resolution and a lot more. When you’ve install macOS Catalina, you can also install the VMware Tools which enhances the performance and provides some great features such as full-screen resolution.
- Unlocker For VMware or VMware Unlocker Tool — The macOS Catalina on VMware requires a useful file which is VMware Unlocker Patch Tool. This particular file patches the VMware to install macOS Catalina on VMware. VMware Unlocker Patch Tool (Unlocker for VMware) is macOS Catalina Unlocker Patch tool created for installing macOS on VMware.
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For the complete video: Install macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows PC [Video]
After you’re done, you may extract the files with Winrar or 7-Zip to make them ready to use. Here’s also the latest macOS Catalina VMware and VirtualBox available to download.
With your preparations done, you’re ready to get flashing.
Here’s a new method to install macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows PC.
- Install macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows PC [New Method]
Step One: Install VMware Workstation Player on Windows
Before you get super excited and start dipping into things, make sure you have everything you need to get started. From the BIOS, watch out if the Intel VT-x hardware acceleration options are enabled. If it’s not enabled, you may not be able to succeed with the installation process. Once you’re ready, go for it.
So, first things first, from the installation files, go for setup.exe.
VMware Workstation Setup
Installing VMware is no different from other ordinary programs, so proceed with the installation.
Install VMware Workstation Player
The installation will be done quick
Installing VMware
When you’re done, click Finish but don’t open it (seriously). You’ve been warned!
FInish Installation
Step Two: Install The macOS VMware Unlocker Patch Tool (Unlocker for VMware)
The VMware Unlocker Tool for macOS or macOS Unlocker for VMware is a VMware Unlocker for macOS Catalina or macOS Unlocker for VMware and other macOS to install macOS Catalina on VMware. Since VMware doesn’t support installing macOS on virtual machine, the installation process isn’t possible without the patch. It particularly to remove the restrictions and patch VMware in order to work macOS in VMware Workstation or Player.
In order to install this patch, all you’ve to do is close VMware completely and from the VMware Unlocker Patch Tool for macOS, right click on win-install and Run as administrator. It will pop up command prompt running some commands, but that’s fine.
Run as Administrator
Step Three: Create a New Virtual Machine
With the supportive files, you’re now ready to set up a virtual machine.
First, open VMware Workstation Player and click Create New Virtual Machine.
Create A New Virtual Machine
Once the wizard pops up, let the settings by default and click Next.
New virtual machine wizard
In order to create the virtual machine without a disk, select I’ll install the operating system later.
Guest OS Installation
Now choose Apple Mac OS X from Guest operating system and select 10.14 for the version, then click Next.
Select a Guest OS
Specify the virtual machine as you would like to and click Next.
Name The Virtual Machine
Doesn’t matter which one you choose, we will replace it later with macOS Catalina VMDK file.
Specify Disk Capacity
On the confirmation screen, if everything looks good, go ahead and click Finish to start the virtual machine.
Ready to Create Virtual Machine
Step Four: Configure macOS Catalina Virtual Machine
With the virtual machine created, now we need to do some little configuration which will make it usable.
From VMware, click on Edit virtual machine settings on Catalina VM.
Edit Virtual Machine Settings
We recommend at least 4GB of RAM, ideally 8GB or more. If your computer has 8GB, you may allocate 4GB of it.
Increase Memory
As a matter of fact, the virtual machine requires huge processors, set up 50% – 75% of your system’s CPU and click Next. The processors should be above 2 or more.
Increase Processors
In order to replace the disk with Catalina VMDK, select the Hard Disk and click Remove from the end.
Remove Disk
Next click on Add.
Add Disk
From the hardware, select Hard Disk and click Next.
Hardware Type
Simply click Next.
Select a Disk Type
On the next window that appears, select Use an existing virtual hard disk and follow Next.
Select a Disk
Now without closing the virtual machine settings, browse the macOS Catalina (VMDK) image and click Finish.
Select an Existing Disk
When you’re asked for the disk format, select Keep Existing Format. This will create the new existing macOS Catalina VMDK disk with the existing format for the virtual machine.
Disk Format
When the settings is done, simply click Ok on the virtual machine settings window.
Step Five: Insert Config Key For VMX file
The VMware virtual machine configuration (VMX) file is the core of the virtual machine. At this point, there are some changes which you need to make to install macOS Catalina.
After the virtual machine is created, close VMware. Make sure you do it otherwise this may end up without installation.
Close VMware
Now navigate to the macOS Catalina files. From the files, open (macOS Catalina).vmx with Notepad.
Open Catalina with Notepad
Now copy the key and paste it at the end of the lines.
smc.version = “0”
Edit VMX
When you’re done, save it.
Save file
Step Six: Install macOS Catalina on VMware Workstation
With the virtual machine configured, you’re ready to install macOS Catalina entirely on your computer, so let’s get started.
From the VMware, select the Catalina and click Power on the virtual machine.
Power on This Virtual Machine
Wait a few moments since this is the first time virtual machine booting. How long it takes to boot largely depends on how much resources you’ve assigned to, but it’s generally pretty quick. When the screen appeared, select your region and click Continue.
Some users have trouble installing macOS Catalina in VMware if you encounter a crashes with the error “The CPU has been disabled by the guest operating system. Power off or reset the virtual machine”, try how to diagnose and fix the problem.
Welcome
Your data and privacy on macOS point to the following Data & Privacy.
Data & Privacy
While we’re not going to use this as our actual operating system, we’ll use with Don’t transfer any information now.
Transfer Information To This Mac
For whatever apps you would download, you’ll require an Apple ID, if you don’t have one, you can make one.
Sign In with Your Apple ID
Since you’re using macOS, you’ll need to comply with terms and conditions, Agree with it.
Just like every operating system you install, you’ll need to create an account, do it and click Continue.
Create a Computer Account
The Express set up enables some useful features such as Maps, Location Services. If you would like to use, Continue.
Express Set up
The analytics might send some information (not personal) but information on how you use the product to Apple, Continue with it. This can later be changed from System Preferences.
Analytics
Great! The new Screen Time feature is here! Click Continue.
Screen Time
The new styles are there, choose one of them and Continue.
Choose your look
In a moment, everything will set up for you.
Setting Up Your Mac
With that done, you’ve eventually installed macOS Catalina on your Windows computer.
macOS Catalina on VMware
Optional Step: Install VMware Tools on macOS Catalina
With all that out of the way, there’s one last thing you’ll need to do before you can completely start working into it. That is installing VMware Tools. This is likely the easiest part of the entire process.
Don’t worry, it won’t be very tricky. Here’s step by step how to do it.
Install Vmware Tools on macOS Catalina
One More Step: Take A Snapshot
Once you’ve done that, you’re completely free to do whatever you had planned for. As a rule of good practice, it’s always best to take a backup which is incredibly easy on a virtual machine, here how to do it.
Take and Use Snapshots on VMware
In case, if you would like to speed up the macOS Catalina’s performance, you’re good to go.
In between, if you encounter errors when installing, you may want to fix it with the instructions.
So there you go! That’s the newest version of macOS installed on your computer. When there’s a newer update, you can always update your Catalina to the latest version.
With that, we’ve the video tutorial that explains and shows how to install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox on Windows PC.
OK, that’s enough for the installation. If you find it interesting or would like to add something here, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.
Install macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows PC – Video
Krish Murjani
CD Drive unsuccessful. Something Couldn’t load Sata 0:1. What did I do wrong?
I did this same method in May, no problem. Giving me issues now.
Please let me know
Ali Nazarii
I think you should attempt to remove cd-rom from the device list
Seven
what’s the password for the rar file?
Ali Nazarii
its ‘Geekrar.com’, G is capital, and please be sure to type it in and not copy/paste.
Gnai
Installation worked perfect, thanks!
Everything is working but connecting an iPhone to the VM does not show the iPhone in the Music-App nor in Finder.
Is this a known issue? How can I fix this?
Yoyo Modcom
Everything is good but I cant play the Apple TV and HBO Max on the MacOS. Please help.
erin kol
its working like a charm. then how do activate the shared folder? i already change the setting to enable, and add the shared folder. but still doesn’t show up on my catalina OS. please klindly help thanks
Justin
Is there a way to enable the location services? I need to be able to turn wifi on and the wifi card that is in my Dell laptop is not a card that works with MacOS. I’m wondering if there is a way to use the Vmware player to trick the virtual machine into thinking it can use the wifi card in my laptop instead of converting the network connection into an ethernet connection.
Matthieu gabrielli
took several hours to complete the end-to-end installation but I finally made it!
(I use VMWare workstation 15.5 for windows)
Instructions were clear.
Follow them slowly and carefully
Joe Boe
the password is “geekrar.com”
Aditya Shinde
The selected virtual disk is incompatible with this Workstation 14.x virtual machine. Adding this disk would make this virtual machine incompatible with older VMware products.
Simon Fearby
No luck heer just an apple logo, patched and added smc version, Ryxen 3700X
Max
Operating System not found.. can u help me out
ihide
thanks everything worked accordingly . only problem i have is the MacOs isn’t recognizing my iPad or my Samsung phone. can you help me with that?
ihide
great tutorial. everything worked for me accordingly except the mac isn’t recognizing my ipad or my Samsung phone. can you help me with that?
Ace
I follwedthe steps but i get an error. ”
The CPU has been disabled by the guest operating system. Power off or reset the VM.”
I have AMD Ryzen 7 2700 8 core
A. H. (@harkonnendn)
For those getting an error saying the value 0 in Smc.version = “0” is not valid, take away the quotations and it will work. So it’s Smc.version = 0
rgttgr
I am not able to run IOS simulator 🙁
Any advices ?
rodrigo
This method requires Vmware 15.5 or you get stuck in white apple logo
Ravi Khatri
Thanks worked
Björn Dahlberg
Doesn’t Work, MacOS doenst show up in the list in Step 3… Not with unlocker 2.10 or 3.02…
Stupid tutorial
I get error “cannot connect to the coresponding device sata0:1”
Followed all your printscreens to the letter. And i work in IT for +20 years.
Sorry but this doens’t work and the tutorial is with errors like other poeple said already above.
Tried different operating systems in WMware build, none work
Cake
Anyone find a way to update the OS and boot afterwards?
squeakylsqueak
Install VMtools. (For Mac make sure you have nothing in you’re CD drive.)
gordon freimann
there is a problem with the instructions. The download is an .iso file. VMWare needs a .vmdk file for the virtual disk.
badmash
what’s the password for the rar file?
OMAR QADIR
worked for me too thanks
ZenRicoh
Screen res is 768*1064. Neither settings from vmware workstation player nor MacOS display settings able to change it. I have tried on so many machines – no improvement.
Please let me know how to change it, thanks
Ali Nazari
Hi,
Install VMware Tools from the link below.
https://www.geekrar.com/how-to-fix-macos-catalina-screen-resolution-on-vmware/
Developer Vivek
I am geeting an error Attempting to start up:
Efi vmware virtual sata hard drive (0.0)….no media
Please help me i watched many tutorials for fixing it but iam unable to do so.
Mphako Mauwane
How to install the vmdk on a virtualbox
Arend
Changed to ‘Other’ x64.
Worked for me!
Arend
But, mouse and keyboard are not working!
Any good ideas?
The lost One
You r the best. Like it.
The lost One
Thanks, you rock.
Abdou Ghonim
After waiting for about 1 hour in installing screen, it freeze and restart from beginning
Fireman
unlocker not found when i want to download
Fernando Suarez Ornani
Why I’m the only one having problem with the:
smc.version = “0”
line?
It should be
smc.version = “0”
(the ” are different!)
With the latest VMWare I’m getting:
“Failed to start the cirtual machine” after trying to fix the “CPU disabled” error
Nadeem Khawaja
Hi, I tried to upgrade Mojave to Catalina and after upgrade it is on a apple logo. any idea how to fix it.
Raflie Supriatna Putra
This works on VMWare, but after successfully installing it and when selecting a region, the mouse and keyboard stuck don’t work. how to fix it?
Ali Nazari
Hi,
Restart and let me know if this works.
MNSiw
Thanks Tiago 🙂
Charbel Seif
change operating system to windows 7 x64 for the apple logo stuck
John Ciasico (@iamedz)
Toggle the operating system on the settings if you’re stuck on the Apple logo. Worked for me. (AMD Ryzen 7 Processor) here.
Gabriel Mendez
hey do you know the solution?
gorri
you rock
Gordey
The link you posted is still beta and not final stable release.
Can you at least share latest stable version?
dan
Trying to install with ryzen 7 1800X, stuck at “The CPU has been disabled by the guest operating system. Power off or reset the virtual machine”, linked solution won’t work.
Tiago
Hi Guys, I finally fixed Apple Logo issue (Stuck). Please follow the instructions below:
– IF THE GUEST OPERATING SYSTEM IS SET TO APPLE MAC OS X CHANGE IT TO WINDOWS X64.
OR
IF IT IS SET TO WINDOWS X64 BIT, CHANGE IT TO APPLE MAC OS X.
wfe
What a shitty guides.. Expect for just putting in download links you put in links to other articles with a shit load of information and somewhere in that article there is a link to another article that finally contains the download link..
This is not efficient!
Porthos
I have this working just fine now with the official release of Catalina and Vmware Workstation 15.5. However, I cannot get Airplay to work at all? I am on the same subnet and bridged onto my main network so that is not the issue. I simply do not get the airplay menu to display at all. I understand this can be an issue on Hackintosh setups. Does it also apply to running MacOS inside of a VM? Has anyone been able to make Airplay work?
Porthos
Can anyone get Airplay to work using Catalina inside the VM? I have it all setup and everything works fine, but I never get the Airplay menu icon. I’m running official Catalina latest release and updates and VMware workstation 15.5
thferreira
Same problem i use amd ryzen 3700x
Hassan
God ! we got a rich guy here 😀 why did you buy a new mac-machine this weekend ?
“On a Windows 10 Pro Intel i9-x7920 12 core at 4.4 GHz with 128GB at 3200 MHz.”
Maaz
Got stuck on apple logo without any progress baar.. Any solutions..?
Souf
Thank you Ali, All is working good
Student
Ali: thank you for fixing it! Can you please let us know how soon we should check back here for a new image?
Student
Sadly XCode Beta requires the latest release of Catalina.
Ali Nazari
Unfortunately, this problem exists. It is under fix, I’ll update the images.
Seval Gunes
I turned off “Keep OS updated automatically” and stuck with the gdrive version.
Student
@Seval: Sadly that did not work, it will not boot the “Mac OS X” partition at all then.
Student
@Seval, I tried that too. Sadly, after switching Player to Windows x64, the VM doesn’t boot at all: it fails and shows the boot menu. Selecting the first option “Mac OS X” and Enter does nothing.
Also tried leaving the VM on the apple logo for 3 days to see if more time would help. It did not.
SEVAL GUNES
Student: the same happened to me. I am wondering if you have to switch to Windows 10 64 for the first boot (after the update) and then switch back to MacOS 10.14 just like you had to do at the very beginning.
Student
This worked perfectly, but then I allowed to MacOS to update itself to the latest Beta version, after restarting, it hangs on the Apple. Same if I force shutdown and restart.
Seval
I followed the steps and I get am stuck at the white apple with the progress bar at the beginning (0%). Running VM Ware 15 Pro and used the macOS Catalina PBeta3 by Geekrar vmdk.
On a Windows 10 Pro Intel i9-x7920 12 core at 4.4 GHz with 128GB at 3200 MHz.
mkwp
Can you share what you do to get from the ISO to create your VMDK? Are there any changes made to the file system or anything else?