How to Install macOS Tahoe on VMware Windows PC

tes September 21, 2025

 Have you ever wanted to try macOS Tahoe, but you don’t have a spare Mac lying around? Don’t worry—you can actually install it on a virtual machine and test it out right from your Windows or Linux computer. Running macOS on a VM is a great way to explore the system, play around with apps, and learn without touching your main setup.


In this guide, I’ll share the steps I personally used to install macOS Tahoe on a virtual machine. The process isn’t too complicated if you follow along carefully. Let’s get started!

What You’ll Need

Before jumping in, make sure you have the following ready:

  • A computer with at least 8GB RAM (16GB is better) and an SSD for faster performance.

  • Virtualization software: VMware Workstation, VMware Fusion (for Mac), or VirtualBox.

  • A copy of the macOS Tahoe installer or ISO image.

  • Hardware virtualization enabled in your BIOS/UEFI (Intel VT-x or AMD-V).


Step 1: Prepare the Virtual Machine

  1. Open your virtualization software (I used VMware, but VirtualBox works too).

  2. Create a new virtual machine and choose macOS as the operating system type.

  3. Allocate at least 4 CPU cores and 8GB of RAM.

  4. Create a virtual hard disk with at least 50GB of space.

Tip: If you can spare more resources, give them. macOS runs smoother with extra RAM and CPU power.


Step 2: Attach the macOS Tahoe ISO

Once the VM is created:

  1. Go to the CD/DVD settings of your virtual machine.

  2. Select Use ISO image file and browse to your macOS Tahoe ISO.

  3. Save the settings and close the configuration window.


Step 3: Boot and Start Installation

  1. Power on the virtual machine.

  2. You should see the macOS installer screen.

  3. Open Disk Utility and format the virtual disk as APFS with GUID Partition Map.

  4. Close Disk Utility and continue with the installer.

The installation will take a while, so be patient—it might reboot a few times before reaching the setup screen.


Step 4: Complete Setup

After the installation finishes, you’ll go through the macOS setup assistant.

  • Choose your region and language.

  • Create a user account.

  • Skip Apple ID login if you just want to test the system.

Once you reach the desktop, congratulations—you now have macOS Tahoe running in a virtual machine!



Final Tips

  • Performance won’t be as fast as on a real Mac, but for testing apps, features, and getting a feel for Tahoe, it’s perfectly fine.

  • If you’re using VMware, you may want to install VMware Tools for better graphics and mouse integration.

  • Keep your ISO/installer safe—you might need it again for updates or reinstallation.


Running macOS Tahoe on a virtual machine is a fantastic way to learn and explore without needing dedicated Apple hardware. With the steps above, you should be able to set it up in under an hour.

Have you tried installing macOS on a VM before? Share your experience or questions in the comments—I’d love to hear how it worked for you!

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