Creating a macOS Installation Disk for a Virtual Machine on a PC

Guide Step by Step:

This guide is designed to help you create a macOS installation disk for use in a virtual machine on your PC. This allows you to run macOS and applications like GarageBand on a non-Mac computer. Please note that Apple's software license agreement permits macOS to run on Apple hardware only, so ensure you are aware of these restrictions before proceeding.

Step 1: Obtain macOS Installation Files

1. Obtain a Copy of macOS:
   • Visit the Mac App Store (if you have access to a Mac) to download the macOS installer for the version you need.
   • Alternatively, seek out a friend or a service that can legally provide you with a macOS installer application.

Step 2: Create a macOS ISO File

Since you don’t have a Mac, you might need to use a borrowed Mac or use a virtual machine with macOS already installed to create an ISO file:

1. Download macOS:
   • Open the App Store on the Mac or in your existing macOS VM.
   • Search for the macOS version you want (e.g., macOS Monterey) and download it.
2. Create an ISO File:
   • After downloading, the installer will be in the Applications folder. Do not run the installer.
   • Use Terminal commands to create an ISO file from the installer. Here’s how for macOS Monterey as an example:

     bashCopy code
     hdiutil create -o /tmp/Monterey.cdr -size 12300m -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J
     hdiutil attach /tmp/Monterey.cdr.dmg -noverify -mountpoint /Volumes/install_build
     sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/install_build --nointeraction
     hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_build
     hdiutil convert /tmp/Monterey.cdr.dmg -format UDTO -o ~/Desktop/Monterey.iso
     mv ~/Desktop/Monterey.iso.cdr ~/Desktop/Monterey.iso
     

   • These commands create an ISO file on the desktop.

Step 3: Set Up a Virtual Machine

1. Choose a Virtualization Software:
   • Options include VirtualBox (free), VMware Workstation (paid), or Parallels Desktop (paid for Mac, but useful if using on another Mac).
2. Create a New Virtual Machine:
   • Open your chosen virtualization software.
   • Create a new virtual machine and select the ISO file you created as the boot media.
   • Allocate resources such as CPU cores, RAM, and storage according to the software's capabilities and your hardware.

Step 4: Install macOS in the Virtual Machine

1. Start the Virtual Machine:
   • Boot the virtual machine using the ISO file.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS.
   • During installation, format the virtual hard disk using Disk Utility as a macOS Extended (Journaled) or APFS, depending on the macOS version.
2. Complete the Installation:
   • Continue with the installation process by following the on-screen prompts.
   • Once the installation is complete, go through the initial setup process for macOS.

Step 5: Install GarageBand

1. Access the App Store:
   • Within the macOS virtual machine, open the App Store.
   • Sign in with your Apple ID.
2. Download and Install GarageBand:
   • Search for GarageBand and download it.
   • Follow the installation prompts.

Conclusion:

By following these steps, you'll have macOS running in a virtual machine on your PC. This setup will allow you to use GarageBand and other macOS applications. Remember to comply with all software licensing agreements and to use virtualization technology responsibly.