Running Apps On Mac Desktops
- Running Apps On Mac Desktops Computers
- Mac Desktop App Store
- Mac Desktop App Development
- Free Apps For Desktop
Ever found yourself in a situation where you loved software, only to know that it is compatible with Mac machines? Agreed, it is an anomaly as the number of Windows compatible software is vast. But at times, you might find yourself in such a situation or may come across with certain apps that work better on macOS.
If you are stuck in such a situation, here we will state ways for you to run Mac apps on Windows 10 device. Surprised! Don’t be, just remember nothing is impossible.
Explore the world of Mac. Check out MacBook Pro, iMac Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, and more. Visit the Apple site to learn, buy, and get support. The 32-bit app appears in its own window on your Mac desktop, and a second top-line menu (the menu for the virtual Mac) appears beneath the top-line menu of your main macOS installation.
Ways to run Mac Apps on Windows 10
Step 1: Make a Virtual Machine with macOS on it
This is the simplest way to get Mac on Windows and run Mac apps on windows PC. To learn how to run Mac programs on Windows check out my tutorial on How to Install macOS Mojave on Windows 10 in a Virtual Machine?
The step by step guide will make you learn how to get macOS virtual machine and how to install it on Windows 10.
Once you have the virtual machine up and running with macOS on it, come back here to learn ways to install and run Mac apps on Windows.
Step 2: Use your Apple Account
From this step onwards everything will work in a similar manner as it works on actual macOS. You’ll need to login into your Apple account to access App Store. If you don’t have one you’ll need to create an Apple account.
To create an Apple account on a web browser, follow the steps below:
1. Head to Apple ID account page, fill in all the particulars given in the form to create your AppleID. Remember provided email address will be your new AppleID.
2. Next select security questions, if you want to receive updated checkbox to subscribe.
3. Click Continue.
These simple steps will help you create an Apple ID.
Once done login to your Apple account to start downloading apps from App Store. To access App Store click on App Store icon present in the dock. Log in to your Apple account > look for the app you wish to download > click on Get > Install.
This will install the apps on your macOS virtual machine installed on Windows 10.
Using these simple steps you can use macOS on Windows 10 with the help of a virtual machine.
This might hit you with questions like what about the current session? Will you able to resume it from where you left or not?
To resume working from where you left you would need to shut down virtual machine in a sequence for this click on Apple logo > Shut Down. This will help you resume working.
/how-to-develop-iphone-app-on-mac.html. However, if you want to extra cautious you can take a snapshot, to save the current state of the virtual machine.
To take a snapshot on VMware click on VM > Snapshot > Take Snapshot.
Next, give a name to the snapshot and hit Take Snapshot.
This way you’ll be able to save your current session.
Using these simple steps you can easily run Mac Apps on Windows machine. However, you must never forget since you are using a Virtual machine they might not work as on actual macOS. This is simply due to a virtual machine sharing the host machine’s system resource. In addition to this, a piece of advice avoid updating your macOS Virtual Machine as the patch that makes the macOS virtual machine run is compatible with a specific version and may not work with the updates.
FAQ’s
Can you run Mac apps on Windows?
You can run Mac apps on Windows 10 easily, but before that you need to install macOS on Windows 10 in a virtual machine. Here, virtual machines play an important role to imitate dedicated hardware by emulation of a computer system. You also need to download and install certain essential tools such as VMware to run Mac apps on Windows 10.
Can you run Mac on a PC?
Yes you can run Mac on a PC like a pro. To do this, you would require a compatible PC where you can install macOS. Here, you need to select the hard drive on which you never had Windows installed. You can run Mac on a PC by creating an image file of macOS or doing it through a virtual machine.
Can you download Apple apps on Windows 10?
Apple’s iTunes apps are now available to download on Microsoft’s Windows 10 Store. It is useful development for users who wish to access iTunes apps on Windows 10. Here, you can download, purchase, and manage iTunes apps easily from Windows 10 Store.
Is it safe to use Hackintosh?
Well, it totally depends on the method you use to access macOS on Windows machine. If you create an image of macOS and clone it on Windows PC or you try a virtual machine to access Mac apps on windows PC, you probably are in safe hands. On the other hand, it could be debatable whether using Mac on Windows is legal or not, as you are licensed to use the software and license terms don’t allow you to imitate software.
Is a Hackintosh worth it?
If you want to access all features and functionalities of Mac without spending money on buying new Mac system, then Hackintosh is a good option. It is also useful for users who tend to work on two different systems that require access to Mac and Windows features.
Of course, you can give it try, but keep in mind you can lose everything on the virtual machine in this process.
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When you download an app on Android or Windows, you get an option, or it automatically creates a shortcut on the home screen or the desktop. On Mac too creating a folder or app shortcut is extremely easy. It hardly requires four clicks. We first make an alias and then move it to the desired location.
You can add shortcuts for folders and apps to the desktop or Dock of your Mac. The first method below is the one I prefer. The second method is also quick, but it at times copies the folder instead of making the shortcut. Anyways, here are two easy ways to create desktop shortcuts on Mac running macOS Catalina.
How to Create Desktop Shortcuts on Mac
Step #1. Decide which folder’s or app’s desktop shortcut you want to create. Find where the folder is located. If you cannot find it, see the end for instructions.
Step #2.Right-click on the folder or app name and click on Make Alias.
Step #3. You will see that a shortcut is immediately created for that folder or app. Press enter key. It has the word alias at the end of the name.
Step #4. Drag this shortcut to your desktop or Dock. You may also copy the shortcut and paste it on the desktop.
This is it!
You have successfully created the desktop shortcut for a folder or app. Now you may quickly use this to open that folder, or launch the app. You may repeat this with as many folders and apps you like.
Running Apps On Mac Desktops Computers
If you wish, you may select the shortcut, press the enter key, and rename it to remove the word ‘alias.’
Finally, if you wish to see the original folder, right-click on the shortcut icon and click on Show Original.
Note 1: Even if you move the original folder to some other location, the shortcut you created still works. Beautiful! Isn’t it.
Note 2: You may use this method to create shortcuts even for files like image, document, zip, music, movie, etc.
Not able to Find the Folder Location?
Finding applications is clear. You click on Finder → Applications, and there you have all your applications. Knowing the location of the Folders you create is also straightforward.
But for some folders, especially system folders like Downloads, Documents, etc. it may be a bit tough to know the path. Here are some ways to know it.
#1. From Sidebar: Launch Finder, place your pointer on the folder name in left Sidebar, and then right-click. Finally, click Show in Enclosing Folder. Now follow the above steps.
#2. Using Path Bar: Be inside Finder and click on View from the menu bar. Now click Show Path Bar. A tab will be added to the bottom of the Finder. It has the location/path for the folder you click or select.
#3. Use Spotlight Search: Launch Spotlight Search by clicking the search icon in menu bar or press Command (⌘) + Space Bar. Now type the folder name and then scroll to the bottom of the search result and click on Show all in Finder… Click on the folder and follow the above steps to make its shortcut.
#4. Use Siri: I do not like Siri on Mac, notably older Macs. Anyways, you may ask Siri on Mac to ‘Show Download Folder’ (or any folder) and then go to the bottom of the result and click on Show all results in Finder… Now you may follow the above steps. Please note that this does not always work.
Create Desktop Shortcuts on Mac Using Drag and Drop
The above method is swift and simple. It is the one I prefer. However, there is an additional way to create folder and app shortcuts on Mac.
Step #1. Be at the location of the folder or app you want to create the shortcut of.
Step #2. Press and hold Option (⌥) + Command (⌘) key together. Do not leave the hold. Now click on the folder or app and drag it to the desktop.
Note: When you use this method, there are chances that you may unwillingly and unknowingly copy or move the folder instead of making its shortcut. Don’t worry. Press Command (⌘) + Z to undo and try again, or use the first method.
Add Folder Shortcuts to Dock on Mac
I recently wrote a post where I explained how to add website shortcuts to Dock on Mac. It is an interesting article. Similarly, you may add shortcuts to your Dock too.
Mac Desktop App Store
Follow any of the above methods and make the shortcut of the folder or app (you may directly add an app to Dock, but anyway). Now drag that shortcut from Desktop to the rightmost part of Dock (Second left to the Trash icon).
Wrapping up…
These were two easy ways to create shortcut icons on Mac. There is a third method that I know of, which requires Terminal and some command lines. However, it is tricky and beyond the simplicity of the average user. Also, if you change the folder location, the shortcut stops working. So I did not mention this method.
Mac Desktop App Development
Secondly, on Macs running OS versions before Catalina, you may also click on a Folder or App and then press together Command (⌘) + L. It will instantly make the alias. It works on my old MacBook Pro running macOS Sierra, but on a different MacBook Pro running the latest version of macOS Catalina, this quick method does not seem to work.
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What are your thoughts regarding shortcuts on Mac? Have you used it on Windows? How was the experience there? Share your opinion in the comment section below.
Free Apps For Desktop
Suraj is a digital marketing expert on the iGB's team. He contributes to the social media section along with tips and tricks for iPhone, Apple Watch. Apart from blogging, he likes to work out as much as he can in his gym and love to listening to retro music.
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