How to Upgrade macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows?
If you are a macOS fan then you know what to expect in macOS 10.15, here is how to upgrade macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows.
At WWDC 2019, Apple announced macOS 10.15 Catalina to the world. This is one of the latest versions of the macOS that runs on both Macs and MacBooks. The macOS comes with a number of great new features.
The final release of macOS 10.15 Catalina was available on 24 September 2020. With tons of new features and tools.
In this article, I will show you how to install macOS Catalina on your existing macOS on VMware on Windows.
What’s new in the macOS Catalina?
Apple released macOS Catalina beta 1 for developers in early 2020 and the full version was released in late 2020. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS 10.15.
- iTunes Gets Split Into 3: Music, Podcasts, TV
- Sidecar Makes iPad a Secondary Display for Mac
- Find My
- Activation Lock
- Screen Time
- iPad Apps on the Mac with Catalyst
- Accessibility Features: Zoom Display & Voice Control
Backup Your Mac Before Installing macOS Catalina
Before you install the macOS Catalina, you need to back up your Mac and you should make sure that you create a second backup. This essentially freezes a snapshot in time that you can go back to if you decide to downgrade from macOS 10.15 to macOS Mojave. Personally, I prefer to keep this backup on a separate USB hard drive, but you can put it anywhere you want. If you have enough space on your backup drive you may not need to do this, but better safe than sorry.
- Plug your external hard drive into the Mac.
- Click on the Apple icon in the upper left.
- Choose System Preferences in the menu.
- Find and click on the Time Machine option.
- Click Add or Remove Backup Disk.
- Choose the new disk and click use disk.
- Allow the Time Machine to start a backup.
Once this is done, unplug the backup and keep it in a safe place. This will give you an easy way to go back to macOS Mojave if you have problems with the macOS Catalina.
Backup Your Mac Before Installing macOS Catalina with VMware Snapshot.
VMware Snapshot is a free feature on VMware workstation that enables you to take a full backup of your macOS bit to bit and you can restore that in the future to the previous state of your Mac, if you face any problem during installing macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows you can use the snapshot to restore back your macOS. or you may decide to come back to start your macOS were after installing and testing the macOS Catalina. Here’s how to do that.
- Go to the VMware Workstation Toolbar
- On VM Menu Snapshot
- Take Snapshot.
That’s all this process will not take much of your time, it’s good not to take the risk before installing the macOS Catalina we have to secure out macOS with Time Machine and Snapshot backup tools.
Related: Free Download macOS Catalina DMG
How to Download the macOS Catalina
The only official way to download macOS Catalina is to download it from Apple App Store. There is also the option to use the built-in settings or Terminal to download the installer. This installer can be later used to download macOS Catalina.
I have created a separate section, where I have provided all the methods to download macOS Catalina. You use this link to “Direct Download macOS Catalina Installer without App Store”. Here we have mentioned all the possible methods to download macOS Catalina.
If you want to download the macOS with Apple App Store, then you will open the App Store. Search for macOS Catalina, select the macOS, and download it. Users who are using macOS Mojave go to setting and there you will search for updates.
If you are not willing to use any of the methods above, then you can use the “Download macOS Catalina DMG” link to download the macOS.
This will allow you to directly download the same file without signing up. Use the direct link and download the macOS. Once you have the file downloaded continue with the directions below;
Related: Download macOS 10.15 for VirtualBox
How to upgrade macOS Catalina on VMware?
Here we will show you how to upgrade macOS Catalina on VMware on Windows. Here is how to do that. When the above step got completed then you will continue with the procedure given below:
You will find macOS Catalina in the Application folder, there you will select it and run it. Running the macOS will prompt a window, and from there on the installation will begin.
Those who are using update options will experience the Upgrade option. Whereas, users who directly downloaded macOS will perform a clean installation.
From here, you should see the macOS 10.15 installer that will guide you to perform the installation of macOS. No matter whether you are upgrading/installing macOS on a Mac or VMware, the process is the same. The same prompt will appear, with the same options.
Related: How to install macOS Catalina on Virtual Box?
Bottom Line:
So, this was how to upgrade macOS Catalina 10.15 on VMware on Windows on exiting macOS. Since there wasn’t much about the upgrading process, I covered the core steps. If you want each and every step in-depth then comment down. I will get to your request as soon as possible. If you are not a big virtualization fan, then try dual booting. I have dual-booted Fedora with macOS Catalina here.
