Finally happened, I need Windows!

clv101 · 19 Jan 2018 at 20:45

After over ten years of exclusive Mac use at home I've finally hit a snag. Need to run a vital bit of Windows-only software (VE Configuration tools for VE.Bus Products). Only need to run it once (hopefully) but it needs proper access to COM ports over USB.

Is there a simple and free way to do this with a virtual machine? If so, which virtual machine and where can I get a 'free' version of Windows? I guessing there must be a trial version or something that can be installed - used - removed without ever needing a key?

Alternatively, do Windows USB sticks exist (like with Linux) where you can just boot off the USB, do what you need to do then reboot back to MacOS?

Failing that... I'll need to borrow someone else's windows machine!

d_brennen · 19 Jan 2018 at 20:51

You can pass USB serial to a Virtual Box VM as long as the device can be installed on the Mac OS. Bit of a faff though

clv101 · 19 Jan 2018 at 22:19

Turns out Windows machines are still quite common, my neighbour has one! Easy life.

ic1male · 20 Jan 2018 at 00:18

Both the main virtual machine products for Mac (Parallels and VMware Fusion) have free trials and you can download Windows 10 ISO without activation these days. Just for anyone else wondering.

ChrisD. · 22 Jan 2018 at 12:40

You can do it for free using Virtualbox.

Hades · 23 Jan 2018 at 12:57

I think WINE has Mac support now. That's with trying. No installation of windows needed but it won't work with everything.

https://www.winehq.org

WINE is a compatibility layer rather than a virtual machine.