How to Install macOS 10.15 Catalina on VMware on Windows PC

At the recent World Wide Developers Conference 2019 or WWDC19, Apple Inc. announced the release of a new macOS 10.15 Catalina operating system that is a significant improvement on the more recent one. It is full of plenty of new features, including some related to both security and performance. Another update included with the new operating system allows the user to send any application over to an external display which can be range from iPads to other various connected monitors. This is one of the more talked about features that we can’t wait to try out. And how to install macOS Catalina on VMware on your Windows PC?

What is a macOS Virtual Machine Image?

A virtual machine is something that doesn’t physically exist but instead uses your computers physical resources to act virtually through VMWare Workstation. In this instance, we’re talking about a macOS virtual machine that is running on a Mac OS system. You can also run Mac OS through a virtual machine if you have a Windows Desktop. VMware Workstation Player is like any other application you’d run on your desktop. First, you need to create what is called a macOS Catalina VMware image which in essence is the same type of file macOS users would use to install the Operating System initially. In addition to this, you’ll also need to download VMWare Player itself as an additional Patch Tools file.

Install macOS 10.15 Catalina on VMware on Windows PC

Step 1: Download macOS Catalina Final from App Store

You will need a Mac system to download the macOS installer. You can use a Virtual Mac if you do not have one. The good news is that the macOS Catalina Final is available as a free download from the App Store. Once you have downloaded the Catalina Final installer, you can complete the other steps on your Windows PC. 

Download macOS Catalina Final from Mac App Store

Open download link and click on "Get" button, once the download is complete, the installer will automatically launch. You can find the installer file in the Application Folder.

Read more: How to Download macOS Installer in Virtual Machine

Step 2: Create macOS Catalina ISO File

If you already have the "macOS Catalina.App", make sure that you move it to the Application Folder. The next thing you need to do is convert Installer files to an ISO using the Terminal. To launch the Terminal go to "Applications" then "Utilities."

# Create a DMG Disk Image
hdiutil create -o /tmp/Catalina -size 8500m -volname Catalina -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J

# Mount it to your macOS
hdiutil attach /tmp/Catalina.dmg -noverify -mountpoint /Volumes/Catalina

# Create macOS Catalina Installer
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Catalina --nointeraction

# Unmount Catalina Disk
hdiutil detach /volumes/Install\ macOS\ Catalina

# Convert the dmg file to a iso file
hdiutil convert /tmp/Catalina.dmg -format UDTO -o ~/Desktop/Catalina.cdr

# Rename and Move to Desktop
mv ~/Desktop/Catalina.cdr ~/Desktop/Catalina.iso

Fix problem with "createinstallmedia" not found, folow this:
How to Download Full Size macOS Catalina Installer

Step 3: Install the VMware Player

If you click the link we’ve provided this is where you can download VMware Player for yourself for free, once downloaded go ahead and install VMware Player before moving on to the next step.
VMware Workstation Player (free): Download

Step 4: Install Patch Tool

Once you have installed VMware Player what we need to do next is to install the Patch Tool. What you’re going to want to do is right click on "win-install" and choose the option Run As Administrator and this will then install the patch tool for you.
New Patch Tool by Donk: Download

Step 5: Create a Virtual machine on VMware

If you have done Step 2 correctly you should fine that you have downloaded and install VMware Player. If that’s correct we’re now going to want to open up VMware Player and in the top left select the option that says "create a new virtual machine".

Once you have clicked "create a new virtual machine" you’ll then find that you have wizard in front of you that will run you through the process. When it asks you to select the Guest OS go ahead and select macOS and then click ‘Next’.

After clicking next you’ll then be asked to name your virtual machine and where you’re wanting it to be stored. Select the “VMX folder” and then click next. For the storage space remain with 100 GB and also select store virtual disk as a single fine. After that click confirm and finish and you have set up your virtual machine.

Step 6: Edit the Virtual Machine

Now we have created our virtual machine we are now going to want to edit it, go into setting and go onto the memory tab. For the RAM allocation set it at 50% of your machines RAM, so if your desktop has 8GB RAM allocate 4GB of this to the virtual machine.

Set the Processor to 80% of your CPU.

On the CD/DVD tab. Go ahead and click “Browse” button. We’re going to use browse through file explorer to the location where you stored the "Catalina.iso" file before and select that and click finish.

Open USB Controller Tab. In USB compatibility, select USB 3.0. Then click "OK".

Step 7: Editing the VMX File

Open your “VMX Folder” in step 4. We referred to this before and that is the VMX File (VMware virtual machine configuration). This is configuration file essentially for the whole of your virtual machine. Right Click on VMX file, selecting "Open with" and then choose more apps, and from the list of choices select ‘Notepad’.

This will open the VMX file in Notepad. At the bottom;

Add the code: smc.version = "0". Save the changes by clicking on “Ctrl+S”.

Step 8: Install macOS Catalina on VMware

Turn on your macOS Catalina. When you see the Boot Screen, click VMware "Power Off" to shutdown your Virtual machine. 

Open VMware, go into Options tab and change Guest OS to Windows and Version to Windows 10 x64. Click "OK" to save.

Turn on your macOS Catalina, then open Disk Utility.

Select your VMware Virtual Disk and format it with Mac OS Extended.

Now, you can install macOS 10.15 Catalina on your virtual disk.

Restart to complete your installation, it’s time to wait about 10 to 20 min.

Once your installation has completed, turn off your Virtual machine, change Guest OS and Version to "macOS 10.14" and disconnect your CD/DVD boot disk.

Open CD/DVD tab and uncheck "Connect at power on" button.

Step 9: Play macOS 10.15 Catalina in VMware in Windows PC

Next up open up the VMware Workstation Player and select the option that says "Play Virtual Machine" and create a new account for your macOS Catalina.

Step 10: Install VMware Tool

Open VMware Workstation Player, click "Player", then select “Removable devices” then “CD/DVD” then  click “Setting” and open the “VM Tool.iso” file. Check the “connected” button and click “OK”.
VM Tool: Download

Next up we are going to want to install the VMware tools. This isn’t a quick process and before hand you will need to enable "System Extensions" which is easy to do, browse to and select "Open Security Preferences" and click "Allow". Click on the Restart button this will restart your virtual machine.

If your VMware tools turn out to not be working on your macOS Catalina, don’t panic, just go ahead and reinstall the VMWare tools. Once they successfully work enter full screen mode which will take about 3 minutes.

Done! macOS 10.15 Catalina on VMware on Windows PC

With VMware, it is possible to run macOS Catalina on Windows PC. This is the best free virtualization software out there. With it, you can run a Mac on the same PC hosting the Windows operating system. This is the solution for people who cannot choose any among the two best operating systems! You can now have both Windows and macOS on one computer. You never have to choose one.

Hopefully now you have all of the knowledge you need including the installer file in order to be able to run macOS 10.15 Catalina through VMWare Workstation on your desktop regardless of whether it is Windows or Mac OS. You will never have to settle for a single operating system and in addition to this you also don’t have to go through the process of trying to locate an ISO installer image for your macOS system as this has already been developed and provided for you by me in order to make the whole process easier.

Next Tutorial:
How to install macOS 10.15 Catalina on VirtualBox on Windows PC