How To Install macOS Catalina on VMware | Windows PC : Easy Guide for 2025

Imagine having the sleek, user-friendly world of Apple’s macOS running seamlessly alongside your trusted Windows applications – all on the same computer. Sounds like tech sorcery? It’s not! Thanks to powerful virtualization tools like VMware Workstation, you can experience the best of both operating systems without needing expensive Apple hardware. This guide focuses specifically on installing macOS Catalina on VMware, opening a gateway to explore macOS 10.15’s features, test apps, or simply satisfy your curiosity, all from the comfort of your Windows PC.

For the non-techies out there, virtualization is like creating a powerful “computer within your computer.” VMware acts as a magic box that mimics Apple’s environment, letting you install and run macOS Catalina just like any other program on your Windows desktop. You don’t need to be a coding wizard or spend a fortune – just follow this friendly, step-by-step walkthrough. Whether you’re a developer needing cross-platform testing, a designer curious about macOS tools, or just an enthusiast eager to try Apple’s ecosystem, running macOS Catalina on VMware is an incredibly useful and accessible trick. Let’s dive in!

If you wish to install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox, you can use this guide: How to Install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox on Windows

Prerequisites: macOS Catalina on VMware

Before we start the installation of macOS Catalina on VMware, make sure you have these essentials ready:

1. A Compatible Windows PC:
   • CPU: A 64-bit Intel or AMD processor (Intel Core i5/i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 5/7/9 recommended). Crucially, your CPU must support hardware virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V). (Check your BIOS/UEFI settings – often found under “Security” or “Advanced CPU Settings”).
   • RAM: Minimum 8 GB. 16 GB or more is strongly recommended for smooth performance, as your host Windows and the macOS VM will share this.
   • Storage: At least 50 GB of free space on a reasonably fast drive (SSD highly recommended). Catalina itself needs ~20GB, plus space for apps and files.
   • Windows OS: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit).
2. VMware Workstation Pro: Download the latest version (e.g., Workstation 17 Pro) from our website- Download VMware Workstation Pro for Windows
3. macOS Unlocker for VMware: This essential tool patches VMware to allow macOS as a guest OS option. Download the latest version compatible with your VMware Workstation from our website- Download macOS Unlocker
4. macOS Catalina ISO file: You need the macOS Catalina Image file- Download macOS Catalina ISO
5. Patience and Time: The installation process can take 30-60 minutes, depending on your hardware.

Step-by-Step Guide: Installing macOS Catalina on VMware

Important Note: Creating and running a macOS VM on non-Apple hardware technically violates Apple's End User License Agreement (EULA). This guide is intended for educational purposes, testing, and development, where you have legitimate access to macOS software.

Step 1: Install VMware Workstation Pro

1. Run the downloaded VMware Workstation Pro installer.
2. Follow the on-screen prompts (accept the license agreement, choose installation location, etc.).
3. Complete the installation and restart your PC if required.

Step 2: Apply the macOS Unlocker

1. Crucial: Make sure none of the VMware services are running:
   • Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).
   • Go to the “Services” tab.
   • Find any service starting with “VMware”, right-click it, and select “Stop”. Do this for all VMware services.

2. Extract the downloaded macOS Unlocker ZIP file.
3. Right-click the win-install.cmd file (or similarly named main script) and select “Run as administrator”.

4. A command prompt window will open. Let it run completely. It will patch the necessary VMware files to recognize macOS.
5. Once it finishes, close the window.

Step 3: Create the macOS Catalina Virtual Machine

1. Launch VMware Workstation Pro.
2. Click “Create a New Virtual Machine” or go to File > New Virtual Machine.

3. Select “Typical (recommended)” and click “Next“.

4. Installer disc image file (iso): Click “Browse…” and navigate to your downloaded macOS Catalina ISO file. Select it. Click “Next“.

5. Guest Operating System: VMware should now recognize it as “Apple macOS X“. Select the version “macOS 10.15” from the dropdown. Click “Next“.

6. Name the Virtual Machine: Give it a clear name (e.g., “macOS Catalina“). Choose where to store the VM files (ensure enough space!). Click “Next“.

7. Disk Capacity: Set the maximum disk size. Recommendation: 40-80 GB (select “Store virtual disk as a single file” for better performance). Click “Next“.

7. Ready to Create: Review your settings. Crucial: Click “Customize Hardware…” before clicking Finish.

Step 4: Configure Virtual Machine Hardware Settings

1. In the Hardware Customization window:

• Memory: Allocate RAM. Minimum 4096 MB (4 GB). Strongly Recommended: 8192 MB (8 GB). Don’t allocate all your RAM; leave enough for Windows.
• Processors:
  • Number of cores: 2 or more (e.g., 2 cores, 2 threads if your CPU has hyperthreading). Don’t allocate all cores.
  • Check “Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI”.

• Hard Disk (SCSI): Ensure size is correct. Consider changing “Virtual device node” to “SATA 0:0” if you encounter boot issues later (common fix). Leave other settings default.
• USB Controller: Set USB Compatibility to “USB 3.1” (or 3.0/3.2 depending on options) for better performance if your host supports it.
• Display: Check “Accelerate 3D graphics”. Increase Video Memory to the maximum available (e.g., 2GB or 4GB) for smoother graphics.
• Network Adapter: “Bridged” (connects VM directly to your network like a physical device) or “NAT” (shares your host’s IP) are usually fine.

2. Click “Close” on the Hardware Settings window, then click “Finish” on the main VM creation window. VMware will create the VM files.

Step 5: Modify the VMX File (Essential Fix)

1. Locate the VM’s primary configuration file (ends in .vmx). It’s in the folder you specified when naming the VM (Step 3.6). (C:\Users\gupta\Documents\Virtual Machines\)

2. Right-click the .vmx file, select “Open with”, and choose Notepad or a text editor.
3. Add these lines at the VERY END of the file: These lines help macOS correctly identify the virtual CPU.

smc.version = "0"

4. Find the line: firmware = "efi" and change it to firmware = "efi-secure". This is crucial for Catalina.
5. Save the .vmx file and close the editor.

Step 6: Install macOS Catalina on VMware

1. Back in VMware Workstation, ensure your new macOS VM is selected.
2. Click “Power on this virtual machine”. The VM will boot.
3. Apple Logo & Progress Bar: The VM should now load the macOS Recovery environment (this takes a few minutes). You’ll see the Apple logo and progress bar.

4. macOS Utilities: Select your language and click the arrow.

5. Disk Utility: Before installing, we need to format the main virtual disk.
   • Select “Disk Utility” > “Continue”.
   • In the sidebar, select the large VMware Virtual SATA drive (usually around 40-80GB, named “VMware Virtual SATA Hard Drive Media” or similar). DO NOT select the small 1GB drive.
   • Click “Erase”.
   • Set Name: techrechard.com.
   • Format: macOS Extended.
   • Scheme: GUID Partition Map.
   • Click “Erase”. Confirm.
   • Close Disk Utility when done.

6. Install macOS: Back in the Utilities menu, select “Install macOS” > “Continue”.

7. Follow the on-screen prompts:
   • Agree to the license agreement.
   • Select the Destination: Choose “techrechard.com HD”. Click “Install”.

8. Installation: The process will begin. It involves multiple reboots. Crucial: During reboots, if you get stuck at the VMware boot loader:
   • Manually select the “Macintosh HD” (your main APFS volume) to boot from. Do NOT select the small installer helper disk again after the initial boot.
   • Be patient; reboots within the macOS installer can take longer than usual.

9. Setup Assistant: After installation completes, the VM will reboot into the macOS Setup Assistant.
   • Select your region, language, etc.
   • Skip Signing in with Apple ID: For simplicity (especially testing), choose “Set Up Later” and “Don’t Sign In”.
   • Create a local user account (username, password).
   • Complete the setup (time zone, analytics preferences, etc.).

10. Welcome to macOS Catalina! Your desktop should appear.

Step 7: Post-Installation & VMware Tools (Enhancing Usability)

After successfully installing macOS Catalina on VMware, you need to perform the following:

1. Install VMware Tools (Essential for Performance): This provides graphics acceleration, better resolution, mouse integration, shared folders, and clipboard sharing.

• In the VMware menu bar (at the top of your Windows screen, not inside the VM), go to VM > Install VMware Tools.

• Now, you will see this error. Just click on the link mentioned in the pop-up, and it will download a file.

• Save the file to your desktop. The file will be darwin.iso.

• Close your Virtual Machine and go to the Settings of your macOS Catalina VM.

• Click on Add and then select CD/DVD drive.

• Select Use ISO Image and attach the darwin.iso you downloaded above.

• Restart your virtual machine.

• Double-click the “VMware Tools” package (.pkg file) inside the mounted disk.

• Follow the installer prompts (Continue, Install, enter your macOS user password). Accept any system extension warnings if prompted (go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Allow).

• Wait for a while until you see that the installation is successful.

• Reboot the VM by clicking on Restart.

2. Adjust Display Resolution: After reboot with VMware Tools, go to System Preferences > Displays and choose a more suitable resolution for your screen.

• From the top VMware menu, click on the Fullscreen icon to make your windows full screen.

• You can exit full screen anytime you like from the top menu.

2. (Optional) Enable File Sharing: In VMware VM Settings (VM > Settings > Options):
   • Select “Shared Folders”.
   • Set to “Always enabled”.
   • Click “Add…” to browse and add a folder from your Windows host to share with macOS.
   • Inside macOS, shared folders appear under /Volumes/VMware Shared Folders/.

If you wish to install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox, you can use this guide: How to Install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox on Windows

Conclusion: macOS Catalina on VMWare | Windows PC – Mission Accomplished!

Congratulations! You’ve successfully bridged the gap between Windows and macOS by installing macOS Catalina on VMware. What might have seemed like a complex feat is now your reality. You have a fully functional macOS environment running smoothly alongside your Windows OS. This virtual machine gives you the freedom to explore Catalina’s features like Sidecar (if you have an iPad), the refined Music, Podcasts, and TV apps, the powerful new Find My, and the enhanced security protections – all without leaving your familiar Windows desktop.

Remember, this macOS Catalina on VMware setup is perfect for learning, safe testing, running specific macOS software, or even light development work. While it might not match the raw performance of a real Mac (especially for graphics-intensive tasks), it’s an incredibly valuable and cost-effective tool. Experiment with macOS updates within the VM first, enjoy the seamless copy-paste and file sharing between Windows and macOS thanks to VMware Tools, and revel in the flexibility you’ve unlocked. The world of Apple software is now open on your terms, running comfortably within your Windows machine. Go ahead, explore macOS Catalina on VMware, and make the most of having two incredible operating systems at your fingertips!