Windows operating systems and macOS are very different. If you would like to run a macOS on a Windows machine, the easiest way is to do so through a virtual machine. A virtual machine allows a system to run multiple operating systems at a time. This will allow the user to run multiple operating systems and share files between the two operating systems. However, running a macOS on a virtual machine may seem challenging which is why this blog will walk you through how you can run a macOS on a Windows computer.

Step 1: Download a macOS

To create a macOS virtual machine, the easiest way is to get access to a Mac machine.

1. On the Mac device, you need to first login to the Apple store
2. Search for any operating system (e.g. macOS High Sierra).

3. Download the macOS
4. When the installer starts, press the command key and Q. This will close the installation and then you can convert the original .dmg file into an ISO file. Please note that for the following steps, you will need an empty USB stick of at least 8GB of storage. 
5. Run a few commands to convert the .dmg file to .iso file
6. Convert an empty disk using the following command:

hdiutil create -o /tmp/HighSierra.cdr -size 7316m -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J

7. Connect the USB and input the following command. This will convert the .dmg to .iso file

hdiutil convert /tmp/HighSierra.cdr.dmg -format UDTO -o /tmp/HighSierra.iso

8. Move the iso file to the desktop using the below command:

mv /tmp/HighSierra.iso.cdr ~/Desktop/HighSierra.iso

9. Copy the file onto the USB

Step 2: Install Oracle VirtualBox

Oracle VirtualBox is free and easy to download. You can find the link to download it here. 

1. When you install the VirtualBox, you should see a screen similar to the one below.

2. Create a new virtual machine by selecting New on the VirtualBox

3. Select ‘Create a virtual hard disk now’ > Create

Step 3: Prepare the Oracle VirtualBox for macOS

Select the macOS iso file. Please note that the current settings of VirtualBox are inadequate to run the macOS yet so you will need to make some changes using the command prompt.

1. Enter these commands into the Command Prompt. These will ensure that macOS can be run on the VirtualBox

cd “C:Program FilesOracleVirtualBox”

VBoxManage.exe modifyvm “High Sierra” –cpuidset 00000001 000306a9 04100800 7fbae3ff bfebfbff

VBoxManage setextradata “High Sierra” “VBoxInternal/Devices/smc/0/Config/GetKeyFromRealSMC” 1

2. Install the iso file as you would on a Mac device