Otherwise, you can install a free Windows evaluation trial from the Microsoft Evaluation Center. pay for it), download an ISO file from the Microsoft download page. If you intend to keep using Windows (i.e. If you already have access to a fully licensed edition of Windows by all means use that.

Now that we’ve created a virtual machine, we can go ahead and install Windows on that. Once you’ve finished, your new virtual machine will appear in the VirtualBox side panel. Just be sure to leave enough memory for your host machine. The default settings on each screen should be fine, although it might pay to bump up the memory to around 4GB (or more if you can afford it) when you get to the Memory Size screen. Call the virtual machine Windows or Windows 10 or something descriptive. Open VirtualBox (via the Applications folder).This is where you create a new virtual machine that you will install Windows on. The benefit of this is that, once you’ve installed another operating system on your Mac, you can run any software that runs on that operating system. This allows you to install other operating systems onto your Mac (or other computer). It allows you to create virtual machines on your computer. VirtualBox is virtualization software by Oracle. Follow the prompts and close the installer once it’s installed. dmg file has downloaded, open it up and double click on the VirtualBox.pkg icon. Install VirtualBox just as you’d install any other software.The first step is to download VirtualBox from the VirtualBox download page.That method doesn’t involve Windows in any shape or form.īut if you don’t mind using Windows (or if you need to), here are the main steps for installing SQL Server for Windows on your Mac using VirtualBox:īelow are more detailed instructions for each of these steps.

If that scares you, then you might be better off installing SQL Server on your Mac via a Docker container. And because you’re using VirtualBox, switching between macOS and Windows is as easy as switching between any other application.Īs mentioned, this method involves Windows. The result of this is that you’ll have both Windows and SQL Server running on your Mac. Here I’ll show you how to install SQL Server on a Mac with VirtualBox running Windows (a free trial edition).

How to use virtualbox on macbook air