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Do you ever need to run Windows 11 applications on your Mac but don't want to dual-boot your system? VirtualBox offers a convenient solution! This virtual machine software lets you create a virtualized environment for Windows within your Mac. Here's how to install Windows 11 on your Mac using VirtualBox:
Preparation:
Download VirtualBox: Head over to the official VirtualBox website (https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads) and download the appropriate package for your Mac.
For Intel Macs: Choose "VirtualBox Platform Packages" under "macOS / Intel hosts (Intel Macs)".
For Apple Silicon Macs: Select "VirtualBox Platform Packages" under "macOS / Apple Silicon hosts (Apple Silicon Macs)".
Install VirtualBox: Run the downloaded package and follow the on-screen instructions to install VirtualBox on your Mac.
Download Windows 11 ISO: Visit the Microsoft website (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11) and download the Windows 11 ISO (disc image) file.
Creating the Virtual Machine:
Launch VirtualBox: Open the VirtualBox application.
Add New Virtual Machine: Click the "New" button in the VirtualBox console window.
Select Machine Type: In the wizard, choose "Expert Mode" for more control. Name your virtual machine and select "Microsoft Windows" as the type. Choose "Windows 11 (64-bit)" for the version.
Allocate Resources: Allocate RAM (memory) for your virtual machine. A good starting point is 4GB, but you can adjust it based on your Mac's capabilities and the programs you plan to run in Windows. Choose the amount of storage space (virtual hard disk) for your virtual machine. You can set it to dynamically allocate space as needed, or specify a fixed size upfront.
Configure Virtual Machine: Click "Create" to finish creating the virtual machine. Now, configure some additional settings:
Storage: Select the "Storage" section on the left side. Click the empty controller icon and choose "Choose existing disk". Select the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded earlier. This will act as the installation source for Windows 11.
Network: (Optional) You can configure the network settings for your virtual machine. By default, it should be able to access the internet through your Mac's network connection.
Installing Windows 11:
Start the Virtual Machine: Click the "Start" button on your virtual machine in the VirtualBox window.
Boot from ISO: Press the "Spacebar" key when prompted during boot to select the virtual CD/DVD drive containing the Windows 11 ISO.
Follow Installation: The Windows 11 installation process will begin. Follow the on-screen instructions, including entering a valid Windows product key during the setup process.
Install VirtualBox Guest Additions: Once Windows 11 is installed, shut down the virtual machine temporarily. Locate the VirtualBox Guest Additions installer within VirtualBox itself: Go to "Devices" -> "Insert Guest Additions CD Image". This will mount a virtual CD containing the drivers needed for better performance and functionality within the virtual machine.
The VirtualBox Guest Additions are availabe in the following location: /Applications/VirtualBox.app/Contents/MacOS/VBoxGuestAdditions.iso
Restart and Update: Start your virtual machine again. Windows will automatically detect and install the Guest Additions.
Finalize Setup: Update your Windows 11 installation through the Windows Update Settings.