Step By Step Procedure To Run Windows On Mac For Free!

Time needed: 1 hour.

How to Run Windows on Mac for Free?

1. Download the Windows 10 ISO Image

   1. Visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-download/windows10ISO
   2. It may ask for Windows OS version & language to select from the dropdown.
   3. After that you will see a download link that would be valid for 24 hours.
   4. We will download the 64-bit version of Windows for demonstration. You can choose the version you want.

2. Download and install the VMware Fusion player

   VMware Fusion has two products. VMware Fusion Pro and VMware Fusion Player. VM Fusion Pro is premium product comes with more advanced features. Where as VMware Fusion Player comes with limited features for less price. However, VMware is made VMware Fusion Player free for personal use. We leave the decision to you to buy Fusion Pro, Fusion Player, or use personal free license version to run Windows on Mac.
   We are going to show you how to download and install the free version of VMware Fusion Player in this demo.
   Visit vmware.com/in/products/fusion/fusion-evaluation.html to create a free log in account.
   
   Follow the instructions and fill the details asked during the registration process. You will be given a license key with product download link.
   Download personal key for VMware Fussion Player
   Make note of license key and download the VMware Fusion Player. By default, the file will be downloaded in ‘Downloads’. We have installed VMware Fusion Player v 10.1.6 which is more compatible with the our MacBook Pro. Installation procedure is quite similar, you don’t have to worry about the procedure. You can skip this procedure if you your MacBook is compatible with v12.x.
   Go to the VMware Fusion Player file, Double tap on the file or Right click -> Open. This will verify the files and run the executable for installation. Double click to initiate the installation process.
   Click on ‘Open’
   It may ask you to enter the password. After successful authentication, Installation ask to accept the License agreement. Accept to proceed.
   In the next step it ask to enter the product key. Enter the key you have noted in the previous step.
   Chose the first option which is VMware Fusion Player.
   We are going to install pro version as we have bought the product key. You can keep going with Fusion Player.
   You can see the VMware Fusion Player window after you hit ‘Done’.
   This completes the installation of VMware Fusion Player.

3. Install Windows 10 on VMware Fusion Player

   Drag and drop the Windows ISO image downloaded on the first section. Click continue to create a new Windows 10 Virtual Machine.
   Chose the operating system, Windows 10 x64 in our case. Click Continue.
   Select the boot type. We have selected UEFI Secure Boot.
   That’s the end of the VM configuration wizard.
   You can click ‘Finish’ if you are okay with the configuration. Or you can click on ‘Customize Settings’ if you want to change the default settings.
   The Windows installation process will begin now. Click ‘Next’ and ‘Install Now’ to initiate the process.
   
   Select ‘I don’t have a product key’. Product key could be added later after the installation process completes.
   You can select the version of Windows you need. We have selected Windows 10 Pro for demo.
   Accept the license agreement. Click Next.
   Select second option, that is ‘Custom Install’ since you are not upgrading here. It is a fresh installation.
   Select the storage drive to install. Click Next.
   It will take few minutes to complete. Wait until it get completed.
   After this process get finished, The VM will reboot and go to OS configuration settings.
   Set the Region you belong to. We have chosen United States in the demo.
   Select the keyboard layout you use.
   Click Next.
   We are setting up the Windows for personal use. So select ‘Set up for personal use’, then click Next.
   Next step will ask you to create an account for Windows. Enter email ID or Phone number if want to create online account. If you don’t want to create online account, then there is an option to create offline local account. Click on ‘Offline Account’ at the left bottom corner.
   Click on ‘Limited Experience’ to create offline local account or click Next which creates online account.
   Give a username and password for the local account.
   Enable or disable the location, Find My Device. It doesn’t matter al all, as you are going to run this as a VM. After that, it ask few diagnostic data to send Microsoft to improve the services. It’s your decision to send the data to Microsoft. You can discard if you don’t want to send.
   In next step it ask to set up Cortana. We are not going to set up the Cortana as it is not required for us. You can set up if you need it.
   The process may take a couple of minutes after setting up all the settings. Wait until you see Windows Desktop.
   That’s all. A fully functional Windows 10 is ready to use on your Mac.

4. How to activate Windows for free?
   The Windows you just installed is not activated yet. You can check the activation status in Settings. Go to System Settings -> Update & Security -> Activation.
   You can activate the Windows under AVMA (Automatic virtual machine activation) for no additional cost. But, bear in mind, it is only for VMs. The activation process is quite straight and simple.

   Type ‘cmd’ in the search box. Right Click on it and select ‘Run as Administrator’.
   Type this command ‘slmgr /ipk yourlicensekey’. Click here to see the product keys for various version of Windows.
   In our demo we have Windows 10 Pro. So we used Windows Pro key. For instance:
   > slmgr /ipk W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX
   Wait until you see successful message.
   After that, issue this command, This command lets you connect to the KMS server.
   > slmgr /skms kms8.msguides.com
   Upon connecting your VM to the KMS system, issue the following command to complete the activation process. It may take few seconds to complete. Please wait until the you see the activation successful message.
   > slmgr /ato
   This completes the activation process. Go to ‘Activation’ in settings to confirm the activation status.
   Enjoy Windows on your Mac.