Install macOS Sierra in Virtual Box on Windows

Want to run macOS Sierra on your Windows PC without buying an actual Mac? You can do it with VirtualBox, a free virtualization tool. This setup is perfect for testing macOS, running Mac-only software, or exploring Apple’s environment without dual booting.

Below is the step-by-step guide.

What You’ll Need

Before starting, gather the following:

• VirtualBox (free download from virtualbox.org)
• VirtualBox Extension Pack (adds USB and hardware support)
• macOS Sierra ISO (ready-to-use image file)
• macOS Sierra VirtualBox Codes (pre-written VBoxManage commands)
• A PC running Windows 7/8/10/11 with at least:
  • 4 GB RAM (8 GB+ recommended)
  • 20 GB free disk space
  • Virtualization enabled in BIOS/UEFI

Step 1 – Install VirtualBox and Extension Pack

1. Download VirtualBox and install it.
2. Download the Extension Pack from the same page.
3. Open VirtualBox → File → Preferences → Extensions → click the + icon and select the Extension Pack file.

Step 2 – Create the macOS Sierra Virtual Machine

1. In VirtualBox, click New.
2. Name it macOS Sierra.
3. Set Type to Mac OS X and Version to Mac OS X (64-bit).
4. Assign at least 4 GB RAM.
5. For the hard disk:
   • Choose Use an existing virtual hard disk file if you have a VMDK.
   • Or create a new disk and attach your Sierra ISO later.

Step 3 – Adjust VM Settings

1. Select your new VM → click Settings.
2. System:
   • Motherboard: Uncheck Floppy, move Optical to the top of boot order.
   • Processor: Assign 2+ cores (if available).
3. Display:
   • Video Memory: Set to 128 MB.
   • Enable 3D Acceleration.
4. Storage:
   • Attach your Sierra ISO under the Optical Drive.
5. USB:
   • Enable USB 3.0 (requires Extension Pack).

Step 4 – Apply VirtualBox Code Patches

VirtualBox won’t run macOS without some tweaks. Close VirtualBox completely, then open Command Prompt as Administrator and run the commands from the
macOS Sierra VirtualBox Codes file.
Replace "Your VM Name" with your actual VM name.

Step 5 – Start the Installation

1. Reopen VirtualBox.
2. Select your macOS Sierra VM → click Start.
3. The macOS installer should appear.
   • Use Disk Utility to format the virtual hard disk as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
   • Continue with the installation.
4. Once finished, macOS will reboot inside VirtualBox.

Step 6 – First Boot & Setup

After installation:

1. Go through the macOS setup screens (region, Apple ID, etc.).
2. If you want better resolution, follow
   How to make VirtualBox full screen for Windows 11 (or 10), macOS, and Linux VMs.

Extra: Expanding Your macOS Virtual Disk

Running out of space? You can safely expand your VM storage.
Follow this guide: How to Enlarge a Virtual Machine’s Disk in VirtualBox or VMware.

Tips & Troubleshooting

• Performance: Assign more CPU cores and RAM if possible.
• Stuck on Apple Logo: Check that you ran the VBoxManage commands exactly.
• USB Issues: Ensure the Extension Pack is installed and USB 3.0 is enabled.

Final Thoughts

Running macOS Sierra in VirtualBox on Windows is a great way to learn and experiment without buying Apple hardware. Just remember this is for personal, educational use — macOS is licensed for Apple devices, so don’t use it commercially on non-Apple hardware.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!