Installing macOS on a Windows PC

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Installing Windows on a Mac is relatively straightforward, but what about installing macOS on a Windows computer? In this article, Mytour will guide you through the process of installing macOS on a Windows PC.

To install macOS on Windows, you'll need to use a separate Mac to create a Bootable USB drive. Additionally, you'll need to access the Mac App Store to download macOS. Follow Mytour's steps below to install macOS on a Windows PC.

Before You Start

Apple strictly prohibits using macOS on non-Apple devices, except for company-owned devices, whether modified or not. Therefore, installing macOS on a Windows computer means you're violating macOS copyright terms and you'll be responsible for any risks involved.

Additionally, you can install various versions of macOS (or Mac OS X) from version 10.7.5 Lion to 10.12 Sierra on older computers.

Installing macOS on non-Apple devices, such as PCs, can be a bit challenging. Sometimes, you may encounter hardware issues, card readers may not work, and Wi-Fi might not function properly, etc.

Preparation

To install the latest macOS version on a Windows computer, you need to prepare:

- A Windows PC with compatible hardware.
- A Mac running the latest macOS version.
- macOS Sierra installer.
- Free UniBeast and MultiBeast applications.
- An 8GB or larger USB drive.

1. Ensure Compatibility of Your Windows PC

The best way to ensure compatibility of your Windows PC is to integrate appropriate specifications. This way, you'll be using hardware similar to or resembling what Apple integrates into its devices.

Furthermore, if you wish to install macOS on a laptop, there may be more issues arising, or hardware compatibility might be a concern.

If you're running Windows, you can check your computer hardware with CPU-Z to comprehensively analyze the device's hardware. Then, you can use the resources below to determine compatibility and see if you can install macOS on your Windows computer.

2. Download Software

After ensuring the first factor, the next step is to use a Mac and access the Mac App Store, find and download the latest macOS version, then click Download. The file size is approximately 4.7GB. Once downloaded, you'll find the file in the Applications folder.

The next step is to visit tonymacx86.com and register an account to access the download page. Here, you can download the latest version of UniBeast to your computer.

Download and install UniBeast for Mac here: Download UniBeast for Mac

Next, download the corresponding version of MultiBeast for your macOS version. For macOS Sierra, the corresponding MultiBeast version is 9.0. Once downloaded, you can extract the file in the Downloads folder.

Download and install MultiBeast for Mac here: Download MultiBeast for Mac

UniBeast is a tool for installing any macOS version downloaded from the Mac App Store on compatible hardware. Additionally, the tool is also used as a Mac system recovery tool. Extract UniBeast and install it like other software by dragging it into the Applications folder.

3. Create a Bootable USB Drive

Insert the USB drive into your Mac and launch the built-in Disk Utility application. Everything on the drive, including partitions, will be erased, so be sure to back up your data and store it in a safe location. Once ready, select your USB device from the list on the left panel and click Erase.

Give it a name, then under Format, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled), and select GUID Partition Map under Scheme, then click Erase. Now you're ready to proceed with the next steps to create a Bootable USB drive.

Launch UniBeast and follow the instructions; you'll need to click Continue approximately 4 times, then click Agree to accept the software copyright terms. When prompted to select the installation device, choose the USB drive you previously erased with Disk Utility.

The installer will prompt you to select the macOS version you downloaded from the Mac App Store earlier. Choose the installation file you previously downloaded from the Mac App Store, located in the Applications folder.

Next, select Bootloader Options. According to the UniBeast documentation, choose UEFI Boot Mode for modern hardware systems or Legacy Boot Mode for older devices still using BIOS.

Then, select the graphics card manufacturer if you're using an older graphics card (this step is optional). Then click Continue, ensure your settings are correct, enter the Admin password, and UniBeast will write the macOS installation setup onto the USB drive.

Wait until the image is written to the USB drive. The final step you need to do is copy MultiBeast to the root directory on the USB drive.

4. Install macOS on a Windows PC

The next step now is to install macOS on a Windows PC. Boot up your Windows computer, press and hold the Delete key (or equivalent key) to enter the UEFI or BIOS setup. Things will now get a bit more complex. According to the official UniBeast documentation, you need to set up the following items:

- Set BIOS/UEFI to Optimized Defaults.

- Disable VT-d on the CPU, if supported.

- Disable CFG-Lock, if supported.

- Disable Secure Boot Mode, if supported.

- Disable IO SerialPort, if available.

- Enable XHCI Handoff.

- Disable USB 3.0.

UEFI/BIOS settings are one of the causes of issues during macOS installation. Save and exit the window after configuring UEFI/BIOS, then shut down the computer.

Insert the bootable USB drive you created earlier into the computer, preferably into a USB 2.0 port. Turn on the computer and during boot, press F8 or F12. When prompted, choose your USB drive, then in the Clover boot window, select Boot Mac OS X from USB.

Now the installation wizard will start, and the first step you need to do is choose your language. Additionally, since you'll be installing macOS from scratch, you need to prepare the installation partition. Click on Utilities at the top corner of the screen and open Disk Utility.

Select the destination for macOS, then click Erase button. Give it a name, under Format select OS X Extended (Journaled), and choose GUID Partition Map under Scheme then click Erase. Proceed with the installation, make sure you select this drive when prompted for installation location. And you will see the installation progress when the Mac restarts.

5. Boot macOS Installation Partition

The next step to do now is to make the macOS installation partition bootable so that it doesn't rely on USB bootloader. Restart your Windows computer, then press and hold the key to select boot device during the reboot process (could be F12 or F8), then boot from the USB drive as done above.

On the Clover boot window, select the installation partition (e.g., Hackintosh) and follow the instructions to complete the macOS installation process. After booting into macOS, navigate to the USB installer and run the MultiBeast application.

To perform a fresh installation, click Quick Start and choose UEFI Boot Mode or Legacy Boot Mode (for older hardware), then select relevant audio and network options in the Drivers tab. You can see more options in the Customize section before saving or printing your selected configuration.

Click Build and then select Install. If you're using hardware that doesn't support NVIDIA, this is the time to download and install relevant drivers.

The final step is to reboot your Hackintosh and remove the USB drive, as from now on, the macOS installation partition will boot automatically.

Here Mytour just guided you on how to install MacOS on a Windows PC. Hopefully, this article will provide you with useful information. Wishing you success!

Frequently Asked Questions

What initial preparations do I need before installing macOS on a Windows PC?

Before installing macOS on a Windows PC, ensure you have a compatible Windows PC, a Mac to create a Bootable USB, the macOS Sierra installer, and the UniBeast and MultiBeast applications. Additionally, use an 8GB or larger USB drive for the installation process.

How can I ensure my Windows PC is compatible with macOS installation?

To ensure compatibility, analyze your PC's hardware specifications using CPU-Z. Look for hardware similar to what Apple uses in its devices. Pay close attention to the compatibility of components like the graphics card and Wi-Fi to minimize installation issues.

Is it safe to install macOS on a non-Apple computer?

No, installing macOS on a non-Apple computer violates Apple's copyright terms. While it can be done, you will be responsible for any legal and technical risks involved in this process, including potential hardware issues.

What are the steps to create a Bootable USB drive for macOS installation?

To create a Bootable USB, use Disk Utility on your Mac to format the USB drive as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) with GUID Partition Map. Then, launch UniBeast and follow the prompts to transfer the macOS installer onto the USB drive, ensuring to select the correct settings for your hardware.

What should I do if I encounter installation issues while installing macOS on my PC?

If you encounter issues during installation, double-check your BIOS/UEFI settings to ensure they are optimized for macOS. Disabling settings like Secure Boot and VT-d, and ensuring USB 3.0 is disabled, can help resolve common installation problems.

How do I finalize the macOS installation process on my Windows computer?

To finalize the macOS installation, reboot your computer and select the installation partition in Clover boot menu. Follow the installation prompts and use MultiBeast to install necessary drivers for audio and network functionality, then remove the USB drive to boot from the macOS partition.

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