Windows on Virtual Machine Mac Book Pro

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Level 1

4 points

Windows on Virtual Machine Mac Book Pro

Hi All

I've recently bought a Mac Book Pro with 256gb hard drive. Basically I need to install Windows on my Mac but I don't want it to eat up my hard drive memory. I've done some research and I think the easiest way to do this is to install a virtual machine on the mac and then install windows on the virtual machine. However the instruction video's indicate the amount of memory Windows will take up is approx 32gb. My question is, is that 32gb using my actual Mac's hard drive i.e. 256gb or is that 32gb referring to a virtual memory of, for example, 100gb or whatever the virtual memory hard drive is?

One thing to note is I will only be using 1 operating syteme at a time. I won't be using both simultaneously.

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks in advance.

Posted on Nov 6, 2016 3:11 PM

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Answer 1

RJTUK

Level 3

654 points

Nov 6, 2016 3:22 PM in response to gsingh1385

Depending on the Virtual Machine software you use some compress the virtual disk image to reduce the space it uses on your hard drive expanding it as needed by the Virtual Machine.

You can install the virtual machine software and choose to store the virtual machine (hard disk file and operating configuration) on an external drive if you're limited for space and don't mind connecting an external drive when you want to use Windows.

I currently have my virtual machines stored on an external portable hard drive, the advantage is less space used on my MacBook Pro and I can plug that hard drive into my iMac to access the same virtual machines when working there.

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Answer 2

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Nov 6, 2016 6:44 PM in response to gsingh1385

I've recently bought a Mac Book Pro with 256gb hard drive.

If it has been less than 14 days, you might want to consider returning it for the 500 GB drive model.

One thing to note is I will only be using 1 operating syteme at a time. I won't be using both simultaneously.

Then you would be better off using Bootcamp.

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