Install macOS High Sierra on VMware using VMDK File

This post will show you how to install macOS High Sierra on VMware Workstation using the VMDK file.

macOS High Sierra

macOS High Sierra, also known as version 10.13, is a major update of Apple Inc.’s operating system for Mac computers. It was announced on June 5, 2017, at the WWDC event and became available on September 25, 2017. The name “High Sierra” refers to a region in California. The focus of this update was to improve performance and make technical enhancements rather than introducing new features. It is similar in approach to previous macOS updates like Snow Leopard, Mountain Lion, and El Capitan. Notable changes were made to apps like Photos and Safari.

To use macOS High Sierra, your Mac needs to meet certain requirements. It supports all Macs that can run macOS Sierra. These include:

• iMac (Late 2009 or later)
• MacBook (Late 2009 or later)
• MacBook Air (Late 2010 or later)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or later)
• Mac Mini (Mid 2010 or later)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or later)

For macOS High Sierra to work properly, your Mac should have at least 2 GB of RAM and 20.12 GB of available disk space.

However, it is also possible to install High Sierra on older Macintosh computers that are not officially supported by Apple. This involves using a patch to modify the installation image.

Required Files to Install macOS High Sierra on VMware

In order to install macOS High Sierra on VMware Workstation 16 Pro on Windows, you’ll need to download the below-given links:

• VMware Workstation Pro 17
• VMware Unlocker
• macOS High Sierra VMDK File

Step 1. Install VMware Workstation Pro 17

VMware Workstation Pro is a piece of software that helps you to run various operating systems on a single desktop machine without having to install them. This method allows engineers, teachers, and businesses to test applications on their devices without the need for several machines to manage various procedures. It also creates the ideal environment for cloud and platform testing.

VMware has a long history of creating virtualization applications for both students and businesses. They update their software so much that it’s difficult to pinpoint the most recent edition and they’re always modernizing to keep up with the times. The workstation offers a sandbox system in which you can test and allow whatever you’re working on to function under different circumstances. On both Linux and Windows, the software runs smoothly.

• Click on the VMware installer, if prompted, click Yes and select Next.
• Check the box next to I accept the terms in the License Agreement and click Next.
• Click Next and Next on the upcoming screens.
• Finally, click Install and Finish.

Step 2. Unlock VMware to Install macOS on Windows

VMware Unlocker for macOS is a useful tool that replaces a few files, like VMware-vmx, vmwarebase.dll, and vmwarebase. So, and patches macOS settings and installation features including preferences, booting, and installation settings into VMware, as well as downloading a copy of the latest version of VMware Tools for macOS if you want. As a consequence, after you’ve installed the fix, you’ll be able to work out VMware settings and load every variant of macOS on VMware without any limitations.

Note: Make sure the VMware Workstation application is closed completely.

• When you downloaded macOS Unlocker V3 for VMware GitHub then extract it. Open the extracted folder.
• Right-click on win-install.cmd and click Run as Administrator. Click Yes, if you are prompted.

• It will pop up a command prompt running some commands and wait until it’s done.

Step 3. Create macOS High Sierra VM

1. Launch the VMware Workstation and click Create a New Virtual Machine.

Create a New Virtual Machine

2. The default option is Typical (recommended). Click Next.

Typical (recommended)

3. Select I will install the operating system later and click Next.

I will install the operating system later

4. Choose Apple Mac OS X from the operating system list then select macOS 10.13 from the version and click Next.

Apple Mac OS X

5. Name the virtual machine such as macOS High Sierra. Click Browse to choose a location to save virtual machine files and click Next, or you may let it as default.

Name the virtual machine such as macOS High Sierra

6. Specify the disk size and select Store virtual disk as a single file and click Next. 40GB is recommended.

Specify the disk size

7. On Ready to Create Virtual Machine, Click Finish.

Finish

Step 4. Customize macOS High Sierra VM

Click on Edit Virtual Machine Settings.

Edit Virtual Machine Settings

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

Increase the Memory from 2 GB to 4 GB

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

increase the CPU processor core from 2 cores to 4

Select Hard Disk from the device section and Remove it.

Remove Hard Disk

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

Add New Hard Disk

Select SATA as the disk type and click Next.

SATA

Select Use an existing virtual disk and click Next.

Use an existing virtual disk

Now, click Browse then select macOS High Sierra 10.12.6.vmdk File and click Open.

Open the macOS High Sierra VMDK File

After selecting the macOS High Sierra VMDK then click Finish.

Finish

Finally, click OK to save all the changes that you made to the virtual machine settings

OK

Step 5. Edit macOS High Sierra VMX File

1. Find the location where you’ve saved the macOS High Sierra virtual machine. Right-click on a file with the extension of VMX and open it with Notepad.

Notepad

2. Scroll down to the bottom of the texts and add the following code; then click on File > Save.

smbios.reflectHost = “TRUE”
hw.model = “MacBookPro14,3”
board-id = “Mac-551B86E5744E2388”
smc.version = “0”

Save

Step 6. Setup macOS High Sierra on VMware

Open VMware and on the macOS High Sierra VM window Click Power on this Virtual Machine.

Power on this Virtual Machine

• Choose your Country and click on Continue.
• Choose a Keyboard Layout and click Continue.
• Select Don’t transfer any information now and click Continue.
• Click Continue then click Don’t Use on Enable Location Services page.
• On Sign in with your Apple ID page, select Don’t Sign in then click on Continue and click Skip.
• Agree to the macOS Software License Agreement.
• Fill out the Full name,  Account name, Password, and Hint, and click on Continue to create your user account for macOS Sierra 10.12.
• Click Continue on the Analytics Page.
• Wait a little while to Setting Up Your Mac.
• Then it will run on the desktop of macOS High Sierra.

That’s it. This is how you can install and run macOS High Sierra on VMware Workstation on a Windows 10/11 PC or laptop. The installation process was really easy.

Read more

How to Install macOS High Sierra on VirtualBox in Windows 10/11 [VMDK]