Run Microsoft Programs On Mac
Dec 03, 2019 As we’ve explained here, Microsoft Project doesn’t run on Mac computers by default. But why would Microsoft want to keep Apple users from running their project management software? It boils down to the fact that Microsoft wants more people using Microsoft computers and Microsoft operating systems.
- With the release of macOS 10.15 Catalina,Office 365 for Mac and Office 2019 for Mac support macOS 10.15, 10.14, and 10.13. Moving forward, as new major versions of macOS are made generally available, Microsoft will drop support for the oldest version and support the newest and previous two versions of macOS.
- Jul 30, 2019 Runs the program using settings from an earlier version of Windows. Try this setting if you know the program is designed for (or worked with) a specific version of Windows. Reduced color mode: Uses a limited set of colors in the program. Some older programs are designed to use fewer colors. Run in 640 × 480 screen resolution.
Every now and then, a Mac user is going to say, 'Man I wish there was a version of (insert program here) for Mac. I'd buy that in a heartbeat.' It's happened to me more times that I really wish to count. Thankfully, most of the apps I want to run on my Mac exist as native apps.
However, there are a couple that slip through my fingers, like Microsoft's Visio Professional. It doesn't exist on the Mac side and I really need it for my day job as a software quality vice president.
Thankfully, there's more than one way to run Windows apps on your Mac.
- You can use Apple's Boot Camp and run a full installation of Window natively on your Mac
- Use a virtual machine like Parallels Desktop
- Install Windows apps directly with CrossOver and use a Windows app like any other native Mac App
There are advantages and disadvantages to each, but that last one – installing Windows apps directly under CrossOver – is a bit different, and it offers some distinct advantages if you know how to get things going.
With CrossOver, you don't install Windows and then the app. It's all about the app, and only the app. Thankfully, while CrossOver is different, it's not difficult to use. However, there are a few things you need to know. For example, CrossOver doesn't run ALL Windows apps. Some run better than others, and some won't run at all.
What's the best way to install Windows apps?
When trying to determine the best way to install a Windows app, consider the advantages and disadvantages of the three different ways to run Windows on a Mac — natively, via VM or via CrossOver:
Feature | Dual Booting | Virtual Machine | CrossOver |
---|---|---|---|
Run without Rebooting | No | Yes | Yes |
Run without Windows OS License | No | No | Yes |
Runs ALL Windows Apps | Yes | No. Not all graphic-intensive features are supported | No. Some run. Some run OK. Some won't run at all |
Runs Apps at Native Speed | Yes | No | Yes |
Needed to Run an App | Windows License, App License | VM License, Windows License, App License | CrossOver License, App License |
Approximate Costs (App not included) | $120 - $200 for Windows 10 | $80 for Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion, $120 - $200 for Windows 10 | $40 - $60 for CrossOver |
How to install Windows apps on your Mac using CrossOver
If you want to install Windows apps on your Mac without all the overhead associated with Windows, follow these steps.
- Navigate to CodeWeavers and download CrossOver.
Go to your Downloads folder and locate the Zip file you downloaded. Double Click it to open it. Archive Utility will Open it up and decompress the contents of the archive.
Double click the CrossOver.app in your Downloads folder. It will offer to move itself to your Applications folder.
CrossOver will start for the first time. When it does, it's going to ask you how you want it to run. By default, it runs in trial mode. However, you also enter in your registration information or buy a license right from this page.
From the screen that appears, click the Install a Windows Application button.
Type the name of the application you want to run. CrossOver will search its database and display appropriate matches.
- Click on the application you want to run. CrossOver will display compatibility information on it from its database, telling you how likely and how well it will run.
Click the Continue button.
- Select an installer source.
- Click the Choose Installer File. A Finder window will slide down over the app and allow you to navigate to where you have the installation file stored.
- Select the app.
- Click the Use this installer button. You'll return to the Select an Installer Source screen.
Click the Continue button. Remember: CrossOver will not find and download the software you want to run for you. You actually have to have the installation file for the software you want to run.
- Select a bottle.
What are bottles?
CrossOver is powered by the Wine Project. As such, all Windows apps are installed in 'containers' called bottles (get it?). When you install an application for the first time, CrossOver will create a bottle and automatically place your application in it. When you install new applications, CrossOver will also give you hints about which apps can work and play well in the same bottle. If your apps can be installed in the same bottle, putting them together will save some space. If they can't, CrossOver will tell you and suggest creating a new bottle. It will also suggest a name for it. Keep the suggestion or give the bottle a name of your own choice.
Click the Continue button.
- You'll be taken to the Ready to Install screen. CrossOver will give you a summary of what it's installing, where it will install it from, and the name of the bottle where it will install it. CrossOver will also install any needed support software (such as .NET Framework, or the link).
Click the Install button.
The software will install. CrossOver displays a progress screen where it will run through not only the creation of the bottle, but it will download any needed support software, and then run the installer you chose. Once the installation process completes, you should be ready to run your software.
- Click Done. The Installation process will close.
- Click the CrossOver icon in the Dock. CrossOver's Collections screen will appear, listing all the bottles you have installed on your Mac.
Find the bottle you just created and run your software.
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Running Windows and Windows apps on a Mac can be challenging. Finding the right method for you and your needs can be equally as challenging; however, if you think about it, there are a number of ways to run Windows on a Mac.
Some are expensive. Some aren't.
Some take time and are complicated. Others aren't.
CrossOver isn't just easy to use, it's affordable. For less than 1/4 the price of Windows plus the price of the application you need to run, you can run it on your Mac. For the odd app out, this is a total no-brainer; and it's fairly easy to do. If you want to make sure your app works with CrossOver before you give it a shot, you can always search for it on their website.
macOS Catalina
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Question: I upgraded to Catalina on my Mac and now Microsoft Office won’t work; what can I do?
Answer: One of the side effects of tech companies taking their platforms to new levels is that, often times, older software programs will no longer work.
The most recent version of Apple’s MacOS — known as Catalina — is having a major impact on those who upgraded without understanding that their older 32-bit programs would no longer run.
If your version of Microsoft Office is older than Office 2016 v15.35, you’ll have to choose from a variety of costly or time consuming and complicated options.
If you have Office 2016, you should be able to upgrade to the 64-bit version through Microsoft’s standard upgrade process if for some reason it hasn’t already been updated.
Option 1: Purchase new software
You can purchase the Office Home & Student 2019 bundle from Microsoft for $149.99 or the Office Home & Business bundle for $249.99. The primary difference in the two packages is the business version includes Outlook.
Option 2: Start renting Microsoft Office
Microsoft is trying to get users to convert from a single purchase package that will eventually expire to their subscription 'SaaS' (Software as a Service) platform known as Office 365.
This means you either pay monthly ($6.99 for Home & Student) or annually ($69.99 for Home & Student or $99 for Business) from now on.
Option 3: Switch to Google’s offerings
If your needs for productivity software are very basic, you may find the free options available from Google through a Google Drive account to be acceptable.
It includes Docs, Sheets and Slides which are Google’s version of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, although nowhere near as powerful. Though it’s a web-based tool, there are options for editing your documents when you are offline.
Option 4: Revert back to Mojave
There is no simple way to go back to the previous version (Mojave), so this option is very time consuming and complicated, as you’ll have to wipe your hard drive and reinstall everything. Depending upon which version of the MacOS your computer shipped with, you may have to use an external hard drive to complete the reversion.
How to check for 32-bit programs
Google Programs
For those who are considering an upgrade to Catalina, a good first step is to see what 32-bit programs you are currently running to determine if they are important to you or not.
To do this, click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner, then on 'About This Mac' and then on 'System Report.' When the report opens up, scroll down to the 'Software' section and click on 'Applications.'
An alphabetical list of applications will appear with various details about each one. If you scroll to the far right, you should see a column that says '64-Bit' and the words 'Yes' or 'No' for each application. To make it easier to see the Application Name and whether it’s 64-bit or not, drag the 64-bit header from the far right to the far left so it’s right next to the 'Application Name' column.
Go through the list looking for your critical programs to make sure they are 64-bit or to see if a 64-bit version is available from the creator of the program before upgrading to Catalina.
Free Microsoft Programs
Ken Colburn is the founder and CEO of Data Doctors Computer Services. Ask any tech question at: facebook.com/DataDoctors.