How to Install macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows

In this article, I am going to show you how to install macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows. So, Apple announced its latest and greatest operating systems in WWDC 2019. If you want to give macOS Catalina a try, then you’re in the right place.

macOS Catalina is Currently in Beta, and obviously, it’s baggy. When a new release/version comes out then depending on how many vital fixes it has, I may update the VMDK file linked below. So without wasting any more time, let’s jump into it.

How to Install macOS Catalina on VMware

1. Download the prerequisites
2. Install the Prerequisites
3. Extract macOS Catalina VMDK File
4. Unlock VMware to Allow macOS Catalina
5. Create a New Virtual Machine
6. Edit the Virtual Machine
7. Edit macOS Catalina VMX File
8. Start macOS Catalina Virtual Machine
9. Install VMware Tools (Optional)

Step 1: Download the Prerequisites

Before you begin, you should download some files, and you may also download & install some applications, which are required later on in this guide. But if you have done any of the followings already, then you may skip it. Here is the list:

• Download WinRar, 7zip or any other .rar Extractor of your choice
  • 7zip
  • Winrar
• Download VMware Workstation 12/14/15 or VMware Player 7/12/14/15.
  • VMware Workstation 15 Pro
  • VMware Player 15
• Download the unlocker by DrDonk
  • Download – GitHub (latest Version)
  • Direct Download – Mediafire (3.0.2) 
• Download macOS Catalina Beta VMDK
  • macOS Catalina Beta VMDK
• Download VMware Tools (Optional)
  • VMware Tool – Mediafire

Step 2: Install the Prerequisites

Now install the following applications, and if you already have it by any chance then you’re welcome to Skip but make sure then it works properly, and it’s compatible.

• Install WinRar, 7zip or any other .rar extractor of your choice
• Install VMware Workstation 12/14/15 or VMware Player 7/12/14/15

Step 3: Extract macOS Catalina VMDK File

Locate the downloaded macOS Catalina Beta.rar then right-click on it and select Extract Here. You should end up with a .vmdk file.

Step 4: Unlock VMware to Allow macOS Catalina

You should have downloaded macOS Unlocker by DrDonk from GitHub or the direct link above. So now extract the macOS Unlocker V3.0 for VMware Workstation. Right-click on win-install.cmd and select Run as Administrator.

Note: You may always uninstall the previous version of the Unlocker before using a new release. Failure to do this could render VMware unusable. – David Parsons

Step 5: Create a New Virtual Machine

#1. Open VMware and click on Create a New Virtual Machine (Ctrl+N) then select Typical (Recommended) and click Next.

#2. Now select I will install the operating system later and click Next. Choose Apple Mac OS X from operating system list then select macOS 10.14/15 from version and click Next.

#3. Name the virtual machine as you prefer like macOS Catalina Beta. Click Browse then choose a location to save virtual machine files and click Next, or you may let it as default.

#4. Don’t Specify the disk space just select Store virtual disk as a single file and click Next. On Ready to Create Virtual Machine, Click Finish.

Step 6: Edit the Virtual Machine

#1. Click on Edit Virtual Machine Settings.

#2. Increase the Memory from 2 GB to 4 GB or higher for better performance.

#3. Select Processor menu then increase the CPU processor core from 2 cores to 4 or Higher cores for better performance.

Note: If you don’t have enough resources then you may not increase the Memory and Processor since the minimum requirement is 2 GB Memory and 2 Cores of Processor.

#4. Select Hard Disk from device section and Remove it.

#5. Click Add button at the bottom of Virtual Machine window. Select Hard Disk from the Hardware section and click Next.

#6. Select SATA as disk type and click Next.

#7. Select the Use an existing virtual disk and click Next.

#8. Now, browse for macOS Catalina VMKD file. Select macOS Catalina VMKD File and click Open.

#9. After selecting the macOS Catalina VMDK then click Finish.

#10. Now click on Options tab then from Guest operating system section select Microsoft Windows and make sure Windows 10 x64 is selected in the Version drop-down. Finally, click OK to save all the changes that you made to the virtual machine settings.

Step 7: Edit macOS Catalina VMX File

#1. Navigate to the virtual machine folder which you select in step #5 of this guide. If you didn’t specify a new location, then the default location is in Document > Virtual Machine. Right-click on macOS Catalina Beta.vmx then open it via Notepad or any third-party text editor of your choice.

#2. Scroll down to the bottom of texts and add this code: smc.version = “0” then click on File tab then click Save.

Step 8: Start macOS Catalina Virtual Machine

#1. Open VMware and on the macOS Catalina VM window Click Power on this Virtual Machine.

#2. Now, you for macOS Catalina to boot up and complete the installation itself without you touching anything. It will take roughly 15 minutes depending on your system, be patient.

#3. Once the installation is complete, it should restart itself. After it restarts then Shutdown the VM by click on Right-clicking on the virtual machine tab > Power > Shut Down Guest.

#4. Again you need to edit the Virtual Machine. So click Edit virtual machine settings or Right-click on the Virtual Machine tab then Select Settings.

#5. Now click on Options tab then from Guest operating system section select Microsoft Windows and make sure Windows 10 x64 is selected in the Version drop-down. Finally, Click OK to save changes.

#6. Click Power on this virtual machine. Then the VM should boot into macOS at this point.

Complete Basic macOS Account Settings

1. Select your Country and click Continue.
2. On the Data & Privacy page, click Continue.
3. Select Don’t transfer any information now and click Continue.
4. Click on Set Up Later then Skip. 
5. Click Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
6. Fill out the Full name, Account name, Password, and Hint then click Continue.
7. Click on Continue on the Express Set Up page.
8. On the Analytics, click Continue.
9. On-Screen Time, click Continue.
10. Select any appearance theme and click Continue. 
11. Finally, wait a little while for macOS to finish setting up then it should boot into the macOS Catalina Desktop.

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Step 9: Install VMware Tools (Optional)

So now you should have noticed that the resolution of macOS Catalina can’t be changed and it’s not working as smoothly as you expected. To fix macOS Catalina Resolution on VMware or Make it more responsive, you need to install something called VMware Tools. It’s quite easy and straightforward to work with any system. So to do that we have created a comprehensive guide. Please click the link below and follow the guide Step by step.

See this guide: How to install VMware Tools on macOS Catalina