How To macOS Monterey Virtual Machines VMware

How to Install macOS Monterey on VMware in Windows 10/11

written by ShaadLife Team June 23, 2023

What You Will Learn in This Guide:

macOS Monterey or macOS 12 is the latest Mac operating system. However, if you want to test and try the beta version then the best way is to install it on VMware Workstation. In this guide, you will learn how to install macOS Monterey on VMware in Windows 10. But before, installing macOS Monterey on VMware, let’s have some information on this latest Mac operating system and its new features.

macOS Monterey

macOS Monterey (version 12) is the 18th major release of macOS, Apple’s desktop operating system for Macintosh computers. The successor to macOS Big Sur, it was announced at WWDC 2021 on June 7, 2021, and is expected to be released later in 2021. A beta version of macOS Monterey was released to developers enrolled in the Apple Developer Program on June 7, 2021. A public beta version will be available in July 2021.

macOS Monterey Features

Compared to macOS Big Sur, Apple has introduced some wonderful new features.

Here are some of the top new macOS Monterey features:

Introduction of Shortcuts for the Mac
Universal Control, which allows a single keyboard and mouse to interact across multiple Macs and iPads at once
Redesigned Safari browser
Support for playing AirPlay content received from iOS and iPadOS devices
Enhancements to FaceTime, including the ability to share screens, and the SharePlay feature which provides a way to experience content simultaneously and in sync
Ability to factory reset the device from the System Preferences app
Live Text to copy, paste, translate, and lookup text in Photos, Screenshot, Quick Look, and Safari (requires a Mac with Apple silicon)
Focus to set different modes to filter notifications across iPhones and iPad.

System Requirements

macOS Monterey is compatible with all Macs with Apple silicon and the following Intel-based models:

MacBook: Early 2016 and newer
MacBook Air: Early 2015 and newer
MacBook Pro: Early 2015 and newer
Mac Mini: Late 2014 and newer
iMac: Late 2015 and newer
iMac Pro: Late 2017
Mac Pro: Late 2013 and newer

Required Files to Install macOS Monterey on VMware in Windows

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

Note: Make sure that Virtualization Technology is enabled on your Windows 10 PC or laptop.

So, without wasting any more time, here are the steps to install macOS Monterey on VMware Workstation Pro 16 in Windows 10:

Step 1. Install VMware Workstation 17 Pro

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.

Steps to install VMWare Workstation 17 Pro:

Click on the VMware install file 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.

install VMWare Workstation 17 Pro

Step 2. Unlock VMware to Install macOS Monterey 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. Right-click on win-install. cmd and click Run as Administrator. Click Yes, if you are prompted.

Run as Administrator

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

Step 3. Create macOS Monterey Virtual Machine

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

Create a New Virtual Machine

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

Typical (recommended)

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

I will install the operating system later

Select Apple Mac OS X under the Guest operating system. Choose 12 for the version and click Next.

Apple Mac OS X

Give your virtual machine a name like macOS Monterey and click Next.

Give your virtual machine a name

Specify the disk size and select Store virtual disk as a single file and click Next. 80GB is recommended.

Specify the disk size

Click Customize Hardware to configure macOS Monterey virtual machine.

Customize Hardware

On the Memory tab, allocate the amount of RAM. Higher RAM, higher performance.

Memory

On the Processors tab, increase the CPU processor core.

Click the New CD/DVD (SATA) option, click Use ISO image file, and click Browse.

New CD/DVD (SATA)

Locate the macOS Monterey ISO file and click Open.

To save all the changes, click Close.

At last, click Finish and you are done with creating and configuring macOS Monterey virtual machine.

Finish

Step 4. Edit macOS Monterey VMX File

Go to Documents > Virtual Machines > macOS Monterey Beta > Right-click on macOS Monterey.vmx then open it using Notepad.

Notepad

Scroll down to the bottom of the text and add the below code. Click on File > Save.

smc.version = "0"

smc.version = “0”

Save

Step 5. Power on macOS Monterey Virtual Machine

Launch VMware Workstation, select the macOS Monterey VM, and click Power on this virtual machine.

Power on this virtual machine

Here, you will see the Apple logo.

Select your preferred language and click the arrow icon at the bottom right-hand corner.

Select your preferred language

Select Disk Utility and click Continue.

Disk Utility

Choose VMware Virtual SATA Hard Drive Media then click Erase.

Erase VMware Virtual SATA Hard Drive Media

Here, select the following options: Name: macOS Monterey (optional), Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled), and Scheme: GUID Partition Map. Click Erase.

Erase

When finished, click Done.

Done

Click the Disk Utility tab and select Quit Disk Utility.

Quit Disk Utility

Select Install macOS Monterey and click Continue.

Install macOS Monterey

Click Continue. On the next screen.

Continue

Click Agree and once again select Agree.

Agree

Select the macOS Monterey hard disk and click Continue.

macOS Monterey hard disk

Now, wait patiently. It will take a good 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the speed of your PC or laptop.

Step 6. Setup macOS Monterey for the First Time

Once the macOS Monterey installation is completed, it’s time to set up the operating system for the first time on VMware.#

On the Welcome screen, select your country/region and click Continue.
Click Settings to customize Language, Input, and Dictation. Otherwise, click Continue.
On the Accessibility page, click Not Now and then click Continue on the Data & Privacy page.
Select how your computer connects to the internet. I recommend choosing My computer does not connect to the internet.
On the Migration Assistant screen, click the Not Now button to continue.
Click on Set Up Later then Don’t Sign In. You can add your Apple ID later.
Select Agree to Terms and Conditions. Once again select Agree.
Create an account with a Full name and password. Click Continue.
Click Continue on Make This Your New Mac Window.
Select Set Up Later on the Screen Time page.
Here, you can either enable or disable Siri and then click Continue. If you have decided to enable Siri then select your preferred language on the next screen.
Now, select your preferred look like Light, Dark, or Auto, and click Continue.
Finally, macOS Monterey is successfully installed on VMware.

That’s it. This is how you can install and run macOS Monterey on VMware Workstation 16 Pro on a Windows 10 PC or laptop. The installation process was really easy. All you need to do is download the required files and make sure Virtualization Technology is enabled from BIOS.

How to Install macOS Catalina on Vmware Workstation 16 Pro

ShaadLife Team

We are professional How-to content writers. As a tech enthusiast and geek, we love to write and share articles about different operating systems such as Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, and some other products like a smartwatch and smart TV.

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4 comments

Zeigh June 25, 2021 - 9:14 PM

This worked for the install, but after shutting down the OS and powering off the virtual machine it wouldn’t load the OS again. Not sure what smc.version = “0” does, but it was no longer in the configuration when I checked it. When I put it back in and tried to power on it said it was bad. When I took it back out I could power on but it wouldn’t load the OS.

Admin June 28, 2021 - 11:02 AM

Maybe the macOS Monterey ISO beta file is buggy.

Dale B August 15, 2021 - 4:22 PM

Didn’t work for me. Keeps rebooting to the “Your computer was restarted because of a problem” screen then repeating over and over

Admin August 16, 2021 - 5:42 AM

Maybe the cause is the macOS Monterey Beta file.