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.
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.
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 operating system specifically Catalina.
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.
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.
macOS Catalina Final APFS by Geekrar
- macOS Catalina Final APFS by Geekrar (One Full – Google Drive) — Just like the actual operating system installation that you need the installer copy for the installation, you’ll need the macOS Catalina image for VMware to proceed with the installation. The macOS Catalina VMware image is created and provided securely compressed and uploaded on the powerful Google server. From now, you can download and begin to install macOS Catalina on VMware Workstation Player without waiting.
- macOS Catalina Final APFS by Geekrar (6 of 6 – Google Drive) — If you’re in some point where you can’t download the single Catalina image, you’d probably go for the splitted one which takes some time for downloading an only part.
- macOS Catalina Final APFS by Geekrar (One Full – MediaFire) — There’s always room if you’d like to download from somewhere else except Google. There may be some problem as Drive has often a problem. In this case, you’ve the next option right in front of you.
- macOS Catalina Final APFS by Geekrar (6 of 6 – MediaFire) — The macOS Catalina is around 6 GB which is huge. But downloading from an incredibly powerful server makes it easy with high-speed download. If you’d like to download macOS Catalina in parts, there you go.
- Unlocker3.0 — For patch relevant files to VMware, you’ll need them to install macOS Catalina.
- WinRAR — 7-Zip — For extracting and unzipping the downloaded files, you’ll need to download and install the latest version of Winrar or 7 Zip.
For the complete video: Install macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows PC[Video]
NOTE: Though the macOS Catalina is currently in beta versions, but we’ll update that when it’s released.
It’s worth noting that the macOS Catilina is limited to Apple Developers, technically anyone can pay the $99 annual membership fee to access to the developer beta software releases. But that would be of no use for installing Catalina on VMware. So note this down.
- Fix Download Limit — If you are having issue downloading the file, we’re always here to help, you can find the way to fix it.
- Fix VMware Device/Credential Guard & VirtualBox – Error — If you’ve encountered an issue that indicates this, here’s how to do a quick solve.
- Fix Authorization (HTTP 403) Error — If you’re unable to download the file due to authorization problem, we’ve covered with up with super-easy guide.
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.
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 VMware Patch Tool
Since VMware doesn’t support installing macOS on virtual machine, the installation process isn’t possible without the patch. The macOS Unlocker is 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 Unlocker files, 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 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
Without closing the virtual machine settings, opt to the Options tab and change the operating system to Microsoft Windows and Windows 10 x64 as version. In the end, click OK.
Edit Operating System
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 it starts, it will begin from installing Catalina. Give it a while.
macOS Catalina Installing on VMware
After the installation finished, you’ll boot into the Boot Manager. Go down with the down arrow key and select the Shut down the system. This will turn off the virtual machine.
Boot Manager
When it’s off, navigate to Edit the virtual machine settings.
Edit Virtual Machine Settings
After that, from the options tab, change the operating system to Mac OS X and 10.14 as version.
Virtual Machine Settings
Now switch on the virtual machine to begin the installation process.
Power on This Virtual Machine
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.
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.
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?