Creating a Windows 10 Virtual Machine Using VirtualBox: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you looking to create a Windows 10 virtual machine on your Mac computer using VirtualBox? If so, this guide is for you. We will walk you through the process of creating a new Windows 10 virtual machine and installing Office 365 on it.

Why Create a Windows 10 Virtual Machine?

Before we dive into the steps, let's talk about why you might want to create a Windows 10 virtual machine. Perhaps you need to use software that is only available for Windows or you want to test out a new operating system without affecting your main computer. Whatever the reason, creating a Windows 10 virtual machine on your Mac computer is a great way to do so.

Step 1: Download VirtualBox

The first step in creating a Windows 10 virtual machine is to download and install VirtualBox. VirtualBox is free software that allows you to create a virtual machine (VM) on your Mac computer. You can download the latest version of VirtualBox from their official website.

Step 2: Create a New Windows 10 VM

Once you have downloaded and installed VirtualBox, it's time to create a new Windows 10 VM. To do this, follow these steps:

* Launch VirtualBox and click on 'New' to create a new virtual machine.

* Enter the name of your virtual machine, select 'Windows (64-bit)' as the operating system, and set the RAM to at least 4096 MB.

* Choose the location where you want to save your virtual machine files.

* Click 'Create' to create the virtual machine.

Step 3: Download Windows 10

The next step is to download the Windows 10 ISO file. You can do this by visiting the OnTheHub University of Arizona web store and downloading the latest version of Windows 10.

Step 4: Install Windows 10

Once you have downloaded the Windows 10 ISO file, it's time to install it on your virtual machine. To do this:

* Open VirtualBox and select the virtual machine you created earlier.

* Click 'Settings' and then click on 'Storage'.

* Select the DVD drive and click on the 'Add CD/DVD Device' button.

* Browse to the location where you saved the Windows 10 ISO file and select it.

* Click 'OK' to close the settings menu.

Step 5: Install Office 365

Now that you have installed Windows 10, it's time to install Office 365. To do this:

* Open VirtualBox and select the virtual machine you created earlier.

* Launch the Microsoft Store app and sign in with your Microsoft account.

* Browse to the 'Office' section of the store and select 'Office 365'.

* Click 'Install' to begin the installation process.

Step 6: Configure Your Virtual Machine

The final step is to configure your virtual machine. To do this:

* Open VirtualBox and select the virtual machine you created earlier.

* Click 'Settings' and then click on 'Network'.

* Select the network adapter that corresponds to your Mac's Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection.

* Click 'OK' to close the settings menu.

Creating a Windows 10 virtual machine using VirtualBox is a complex, intensive process. However, by following these steps, you should be able to create a fully functional Windows 10 VM on your Mac computer and install Office 365 on it. Remember to patch Windows 10 and other Microsoft software, like Office 365, to ensure everything is up to date.

Important

Apple Macs with M1 ARM-based processors do not support standard Intel-based x86/64 Windows installations. If you have an M1 Mac, you will not be able to install or run Windows virtual machines on your Mac using the guide above.

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