Running macOS and Windows 10 on the Same Computer: What You Need to Know
By VR Related
In an increasingly cross-platform world, the ability to run both macOS and Windows on the same machine is more than a curiosity—it’s a practical solution for developers, designers, and power users who rely on tools from both ecosystems. Whether you’re editing a Final Cut Pro project one minute and switching to Excel macros the next, dual-booting or virtualising both operating systems can create a highly flexible workflow.
But how exactly does it work—and what are the real-world pros and trade-offs?
1. Boot Camp: Apple’s Official Dual-Boot Tool (Intel Macs Only)
For years, Apple’s Boot Camp Assistant allowed Intel-based Mac users to install Windows alongside macOS. When configured, users could choose which operating system to boot into on startup. Performance-wise, this was the gold standard: running Windows natively on Apple hardware, with full driver support.
However, Boot Camp only works on Intel-based Macs. With the introduction of Apple Silicon (M1, M2, and M3 chips), Boot Camp is no longer supported. Apple has made it clear it won’t be returning.
Key Pros (Intel Macs):
- Full Windows performance (native execution)
- Useful for gaming or software that demands full GPU access
Key Limitations:
- Requires a full reboot to switch OS
- No support for Apple Silicon
2. Virtualisation: Parallels, VMware, and UTM
If you’re on a Mac with Apple Silicon, or simply want to run macOS and Windows side by side without rebooting, virtualisation is your best option.
Parallels Desktop is the leading solution here—offering full support for Windows 11 on M-series Macs, with impressive performance for most productivity tasks. It’s officially licensed by Microsoft to run the ARM version of Windows, which is increasingly compatible with x86 apps thanks to built-in emulation.
Other options like VMware Fusion and open-source tool UTM offer similar functionality, albeit with varying levels of polish and performance.
Key Pros:
- Run both OSes simultaneously
- Easy file sharing between systems
- Parallels offers tight macOS integration (drag-and-drop, shared clipboard)
Key Limitations:
- ARM Windows may have compatibility issues with certain legacy apps
- Virtual machines don’t offer full native GPU acceleration (limiting for gaming or 3D rendering)
- Licensing Windows on ARM requires a valid activation key—though Microsoft has recently loosened restrictions here
3. Hackintosh: A Grey-Area Solution
Some users take a different route: installing macOS on custom-built PCs or non-Apple laptops. Known as a Hackintosh, this approach can offer high-end specs at a lower price—but it comes with significant caveats.
macOS isn’t designed to run on non-Apple hardware, and doing so violates Apple’s End User License Agreement (EULA). Support is entirely community-driven, updates can break functionality, and you’re largely on your own if things go wrong.
While technically interesting, this route isn’t suitable for most users and isn’t legally or commercially recommended.
Final Thoughts: What’s Right for You?
- If you’re on an Intel Mac and need occasional access to Windows, Boot Camp still delivers strong performance.
- If you’re using Apple Silicon, Parallels Desktop is currently the most seamless and supported route to running Windows 10/11.
- If you need full native GPU performance, your best option may be to use two separate devices or consider a cloud-hosted Windows VM (like Azure or Shadow).
The dream of one device doing it all isn’t far-fetched—but the best solution depends on your hardware, your software stack, and how much you’re willing to trade performance for flexibility.
For ongoing coverage on cross-platform workflows, developer tools, and system integration tips—stay with VR Related.
