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Can I Run 32bit Virtual Machine ms on Catalina?

In Mojave, I am able to run 32-bit Virtual Machines. But, can I run 32-bit Virtual Machines on Catalina?


It’s older software, so that’s why I would want use 32bit VMs.

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Sep 18, 2019 3:44 PM

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Posted on Sep 18, 2019 4:47 PM

There's a difference between running a 32 bit VM application, and running a 32 bit OS inside a 64bit VM application.


VM applications like VirtualBox, Parallels and VM Fusion have been 64 bit applications for a while now.


Whatever you run inside them, i.e a 32 bit Windows version, is not limited by the Host OS inability to run 32 bit applications.


The VM application takes care of that.


The internal VM image is neither 32 bit nor 64 bit its just a file. The VM application is the one that needs to be 64 bit.


Anything you run inside it, is not affected by the host OS.



9 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 18, 2019 4:47 PM in response to TheLittles

There's a difference between running a 32 bit VM application, and running a 32 bit OS inside a 64bit VM application.


VM applications like VirtualBox, Parallels and VM Fusion have been 64 bit applications for a while now.


Whatever you run inside them, i.e a 32 bit Windows version, is not limited by the Host OS inability to run 32 bit applications.


The VM application takes care of that.


The internal VM image is neither 32 bit nor 64 bit its just a file. The VM application is the one that needs to be 64 bit.


Anything you run inside it, is not affected by the host OS.



Sep 18, 2019 6:19 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

For clarification, I want to run 32bit VMs on a 64-bit macOS. It all seemed that the 64-bit limitation would overrule all of the VM Software's compatibility.


Where Phil0124 says: " Whatever you run inside them, i.e a 32 bit Windows version, is not limited by the Host OS inability to run 32 bit applications." That summarizes what I need, and answers it.

Sep 18, 2019 4:46 PM in response to TheLittles

I would ask Parallels, Fusion, or VirtualBox if their VMs running on Catalina will run a 32 bit OS. I think the way your question is phrased it is causing some confusion. The VM is Parallels, Fusion, or VirtualBox. The OS you run in the VM is the issue. I don't see why an old operating system should not run in the VM if supported by the VM developer. But ask the VM developers.

Sep 18, 2019 7:48 PM in response to dot.com

Thanks for the link: Moving to Catalina: Keep Your 32-Bit Mac Apps Running with Parallels - TidBITS. Reading that post (Same date as this OP, BTW), it brings up a good point --- VMware Fusion is not yet Catalina-compatible.


Just For Note for All: Having chatted with Adobe today, its technical support agent I chatted with said "we have not tested these applications on Catalina yet." On, Adobe Elements 2019 Organizer, I get the same message as this image shown in the link you provided, except with Adobe Elements 2019 Organizer being the quoted app.


Can I Run 32bit Virtual Machine ms on Catalina?

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