Best virtualization software to run windows ?

To run Windows apps on your Mac, you need to install Windows via Boot Camp or use Parallels or VMware Fusion.

If you don't have a Windows license, you can use CrossOver to run some applications. Not all Windows apps are compatible with CrossOver. Check their site for compatible apps.

 

I use Oracle VM VirtualBox to run XP on my Macbook Pro and Mac Mini. It's free and I have had ZERO problems with it.

https://www.virtualbox.org/

 

Of course, you'll want antivirus to protect your Windows installation, but Windows malware can't have any affect on Mac OS X. Macs are not immune to malware, but no true viruses exist in the wild that can run on Mac OS X, and there never have been any since it was released 10 years ago. You cannot infect your Mac simply by visiting a website, unzipping a file, opening an email attachment or joining a network. The only malware in the wild that can affect Mac OS X is a handful of trojans, which cannot infect your Mac unless you actively install them, and they can be easily avoided with some basic education, common sense and care in what software you install. Also, Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Lion have anti-malware protection built in, further reducing the need for 3rd party antivirus apps.

Mac Virus/Malware FAQ​

 

One of the beauties of virtualization is that you can have more than one virtual machine, so if one is compromised, you just hose it and use the other. And you can set up a machine that is optimised for the software you're using on it, and stop it almost mid process, so you can later take up where you left off. That's often much easier than booting in and out of Bootcamp.

If I were you I'd check the support for VMWare, Parallels and Bootcamp. I found the Parallels info to be the most up-to-date and complete for my needs, so that's why I use the current version of that software. YMMV, however.

Rob

 

I used to run Windows under Parallels on my old MacBook, 2 GB RAM and it worked, but it slowed down the computer a lot and used a lot of battery power.

I have managed to avoid having to use Windows for almost two years since I got my new MacBook Pro but now I have to, so I am really considering VirtualBox, because it is free, open source (open source software very often runs much better and is better supported than proprietary software) and because I really don't wanna go back to Parallels. The information on the VirtualBox website looks good, but does anyone have any experience?

 

I made the same experience as maflynn, VMWare is the most solid and stable of the pack. Virtualbox doesn't have to be quite on one level as it is free but I am very glad I tried Parallels before I bought it. Parallels gave me way to many troubles to be worth the money.

 

I currently run Win 7 in VM using VirtualBox. I tried Fusion and liked it but decided to try VB which is free. That was a year ago and I am still on VB as I have had no problems and it's done what I need. I only fire up the VM about 3-4 times per month so it's not a daily task that I need.

 

The only reason that I would bother with Bootcamp would be to play PC games.
All three VM options have advantages.

Parallels is almost always one version ahead in Graphics performance.
VMWare has been, in my experience, stable and trouble free.
VirtualBox is free.

I currently use VMWare at work and Parallels at home, but after the last Parallels upgrade I decided they would never get another cent from me. The two are equivalent in features and usability for me, but Parallels support was just unacceptably bad the one time I had to contact them.