MacOS - How to create a Windows VM on MacOS using VirtualBox

Issues Resolved by This Article

  • Students who need to install Windows on a Mac for classwork

  • Missing a Windows computer but required to run Windows-only applications (Power BI, SQL tools, etc.)

  • Confusion about how to create a Windows virtual machine

  • Issues downloading or loading the Windows ISO file

  • Performance problems when running Windows inside macOS

Background

Many Ensign College and BYU-Pathway students use macOS devices but are required to run Windows-only applications for coursework, such as Power BI Desktop.

A practical solution is to install Windows inside a virtual machine using VirtualBox, a free virtualization tool.

These instructions apply equally to:

  • Ensign College students

  • BYU-Pathway Worldwide students

All steps are identical regardless of which school system you belong to.

Solution

Step 1 – System Requirements

Before you begin, make sure your Mac has:

  • 8 GB RAM minimum (16 GB recommended)

  • 50 GB free disk space

  • A stable internet connection

  • A Windows 10 or 11 ISO file (downloaded legally from Microsoft; instructions below)

  • About 1 hour for installation

Step 2 – Download and Install VirtualBox

  1. Go to the VirtualBox website:
    https://www.virtualbox.org

  2. Click Downloads on the left menu.

  3. Under VirtualBox platform packages, select OS X hosts.

  4. Once the installer downloads, open the .dmg file.

  5. Double-click VirtualBox.pkg.

  6. Click Continue → Install.

  7. Enter your Mac password when prompted.

  8. If macOS blocks the installation:

    • Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security

    • Click Allow next to the blocked extension

    • Restart the installer if needed

Step 3 – Download the Windows ISO File

Download only from Microsoft’s official website:

or from Azure, follwing the isntructions in this article

Then:

  1. Scroll to Download Windows 10/11 Disk Image (ISO).

  2. Select the edition you need → click Confirm.

  3. Choose a language → click Confirm again.

  4. Click 64-bit Download to start the download.

Step 4 – Create a New Virtual Machine

  1. Open VirtualBox.

  2. Click New (top-left).

  3. Enter the following:

    • Name: Windows 10 or Windows 11

    • Type: Microsoft Windows

    • Version: Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11 (64-bit)

  4. Click Continue.

Step 5 – Configure the Virtual Machine

Memory (RAM)

  • Minimum: 4096 MB (4 GB)

  • Recommended: 8192 MB (8 GB) if your Mac has 16 GB RAM

Hard Disk

  1. Choose Create a virtual hard disk now → click Create.

  2. Select VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) → Continue.

  3. Choose Dynamically allocated → Continue.

  4. Set the size to 50 GB minimum → Create.

Step 6 – Load the Windows ISO File

  1. Select your new VM in VirtualBox.

  2. Click Settings.

  3. Go to Storage.

  4. Under Controller: IDE, click Empty.

  5. On the right, click the CD icon → Choose a disk file.

  6. Select the Windows ISO you downloaded.

  7. Click OK.

Step 7 – Start the VM and Install Windows

  1. Click Start.

  2. The virtual machine will boot from the ISO.

  3. Follow the Windows installation steps:

    • Select language and keyboard

    • Click Install Now

    • If asked for a product key → click I don’t have a product key

    • Choose Windows Home or Pro

    • Select Custom: Install Windows only

    • Highlight the unallocated space → Next

Windows will install (10–20 minutes).

Step 8 – Install VirtualBox Guest Additions (Recommended)

This greatly improves performance.

  1. In the running VM, click Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD image.

  2. In Windows:

    • Open File Explorer

    • Go to This PC

    • Open the CD drive

  3. Run VBoxWindowsAdditions.exe.

  4. Follow the installation steps.

  5. Restart your VM.

Step 9 – Install Power BI

  1. Open Microsoft Edge inside the Windows VM.

  2. Go to: https://powerbi.microsoft.com

  3. Click Products → Power BI Desktop.

  4. Download and install the application.

Recommended VM Settings for Power BI

Inside VirtualBox → Settings

  • RAM: 8 GB (minimum 4 GB)

  • CPU: 2 cores

    • System → Processor → Set at least 2 CPUs

  • Video Memory: 128 MB

    • Display → Screen

  • 3D Acceleration: Enabled

    • Display → Enable 3D Acceleration

Performance Tips

  • Close all unnecessary apps on your Mac while the VM is running.

  • Save your work frequently.

  • For slow Macs, consider using an external SSD to store the VM.

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