How To Install macOS High Sierra on VMware | Windows PC : Easy Guide for 2026

Imagine seamlessly switching between your familiar Windows environment and Apple’s sleek macOS High Sierra—all without rebooting or owning expensive Apple hardware. For developers needing Xcode access, designers craving Mac-exclusive tools like Sketch, or curious tech enthusiasts, running macOS High Sierra on VMware transforms your Windows PC into a versatile powerhouse. This comprehensive guide demystifies the virtualization process, making Apple’s acclaimed 2017 operating system accessible to anyone with a modern Windows machine.

If you are looking for a fast method, you can use this installation via the VMDK file guide: How to Install macOS High Sierra on VMware Using a VMDK File on Windows PC

Apple’s macOS High Sierra (version 10.13) remains a golden choice for virtualization. It introduced revolutionary technologies, such as the APFS file system and Metal 2 graphics acceleration, while maintaining exceptional stability on non-Apple hardware. Unlike newer macOS versions with stringent security checks, High Sierra offers smoother compatibility with VMware, making it perfect for coding labs, software testing, or exploring macOS features like Photos’ AI organization and Safari’s performance boosts.

But why VMware? As industry-leading virtualization software, VMware Workstation delivers superior performance, seamless hardware integration, and robust snapshot features compared to alternatives. While Apple’s EULA restricts macOS to Apple-branded hardware, creating a personal macOS High Sierra on VMware instance for education, testing, or development falls within legal gray areas—provided you own or have access to genuine macOS software.

This guide strips away the complexity. No jargon-filled instructions or assumed technical knowledge—just clear, step-by-step directions to install macOS High Sierra on VMware safely. Whether you’re preparing for iOS development interviews or want to experience macOS’s elegance, let’s bridge the platform gap together!

If you want to install macOS High Sierra on Virtulbox, you can use this guide: How To Install macOS High Sierra On VirtualBox On Windows

Prerequisites: macOS High Sierra on VMware

Before starting, gather these essentials:

1. Windows PC Requirements:
   • Intel/AMD 64-bit CPU (4 cores minimum)
   • 8GB RAM (16GB recommended)
   • 40GB free storage (SSD preferred)
   • Enable Virtualization: Access BIOS/UEFI (reboot → press F2/DEL) and enable Intel VT-x/AMD-V.
2. Software & Files:
   • VMware Workstation Pro 25H2 (Download VMware Workstation Pro)
   • macOS Unlocker for VMware (Download macOS Unlocker)
   • macOS High Sierra ISO file (Download macOS High Sierra ISO)

⚠️ Legal 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-by-Step macOS High Sierra on VMware Installation

Phase 1: Prepare VMware

1. Install VMware Workstation:
   • Run the installer → Follow prompts
   • Reboot Windows.
2. Apply macOS Unlocker:
   • Download macOS Unlocker ZIP → Extract files.
   • Right-click win-install.cmd → Run as an administrator.
   • Wait for “Patched successfully!” → Reboot.

If you encounter any issues, you can refer to this macOS Unlocker installation guide or watch the video tutorial shared below:

Phase 2: Configure macOS High Sierra Virtual Machine

1. Create a New VM:
   • Open VMware → Create a New Virtual Machine.
   • Select Typical → Installer disc image file (ISO) → Browse to High Sierra ISO.
   • VMware will auto-detect “Apple macOS X” → Select macOS 10.13.

2. Hardware Allocation:
   • Name & Location: e.g., macOS High Sierra
   • Disk Size: 40-80 GB (✓ Store as a single file)
   • Memory: 4096 MB (4GB) minimum; 8192MB (8GB) recommended.
   • Processors: 2 cores, 2 threads.
   • USB 2.0: Enable for peripherals. (Don’t use USB 3.0, otherwise your mouse and keyboard won’t work)

2. Critical VM Settings:

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

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

smc.version = "0"

• Save the .vmx file and close the editor.

If you have an AMD processor, use these VMX codes: VMX Codes for AMD & INTEL

Phase 3: Install macOS High Sierra on VMware

1. Boot the VM:

• Open VMware and click on Power on this Virtual Machine.

• You will see the Apple logo. Wait for a couple of minutes.

• Select your Language.

2. Format Disk:

• In macOS Utilities → Disk Utility.

• In the sidebar, select the large VMware Virtual SATA drive (usually around 40-80 GB, 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”.

• Close Disk Utility when done.

3. Run Installer:

• Exit Disk Utility → Install macOS → Continue.

• Accept the Terms and Conditions.

• Select techrechard.com HDD and click on the Install button.

• Installation takes 25-40 minutes (multiple reboots).

3. Setup Assistant:
   • Select region → Select your Keyboard → Data & Privacy → Transfer Information to this Mac → Skip Sign In to your Apple ID → Accept Terms and Conditions → Create local user account.
   • Express Set up → Complete setup.

Phase 4: Post-Installation Optimization

1. Install VMware Tools:

• In VMware: VM → Install VMware Tools.

• Now, you will see this error. Click on the link mentioned in the pop-up, and the file will be downloaded automatically.

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

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

• Click on “Add” and then select the CD/DVD drive. Select “Use ISO Image” and attach the darwin.iso file 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 > Click on the Lock icon > Allow).

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

• Click on Restart to apply changes.

• Result: Enabled retina scaling, clipboard sync, and drag-and-drop.

2. Enable Features:

• File Sharing: VMware → Settings → Options → Shared Folders → Always Enabled → Browse Windows directories → Enable this share.

• GPU Acceleration: Increase video memory to 2 GB or higher in VM settings.

Fix Common Issues: macOS High Sierra on VMware

• No Internet? Set the network adapter to ‘Bridged’ in the VM settings.

• Mouse and Keyboard not working? Set the USB Controller to USB 2.0

• Low Resolution? Go to System Preferences → Displays → Scaled → Select a higher resolution. With VMware tools installed, you can stretch your macOS High Sierra Window, and it will automatically change your desktop resolution.

• Audio Glitches? Add sound.autoDetect = "TRUE" to .vmx file.

Conclusion: macOS High Sierra on VMware

Congratulations! You’ve successfully brought macOS High Sierra on VMware to life—a technical achievement that blends Apple’s polished ecosystem with Windows’ flexibility. As your virtual Mac boots for the first time, revel in the iconic macOS interface: the dock’s graceful animations, Mission Control’s fluid workspace management, and the robustness of apps like Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro now accessible from your Windows desktop.

This accomplishment isn’t just about running two operating systems—it’s about empowerment. Developers can now test iOS apps without a physical Mac. Students can explore Swift programming. Photographers can leverage Photos’ machine learning curation. And all while maintaining your essential Windows workflow. The macOS High Sierra on VMware setup provides a risk-free sandbox, allowing you to experiment with terminal commands, tweak system settings, or simulate network environments. VMware’s snapshot feature enables you to revert mistakes instantly.

While virtualized macOS won’t match bare-metal performance for intensive tasks like video rendering, it excels in daily productivity, coding, and cross-platform testing. Remember to:

• Keep VMware Tools updated for smoother integration
• Allocate more RAM/CPU if running demanding apps
• Explore Time Machine backups to protect your VM data

You’ve unlocked more than software today—you’ve gained a passport to explore platforms without boundaries. Whether you’re preparing for Apple certifications or simply satisfying tech curiosity, your macOS High Sierra on VMware journey proves that innovation thrives when systems collaborate. Now, with one foot in Windows and the other in macOS, there’s nothing left to hold you back. Create, discover, and redefine what’s possible!

If you want to install macOS High Sierra on Virtulbox, you can use this guide: How To Install macOS High Sierra On VirtualBox On Windows