[How To] Run Windows Applications On Mac OS X

[Anthony Bouchard]

Want to be able to run Windows applications on Mac OS X without a virtual machine?

Apple computer users have used virtual machines programs such as Parallels Desktop and VMWare Fusion to run Windows on their machines for ages now. Apple even implemented a feature called Bootcamp so that Mac users can install Windows on a second partition of their storage drive and boot up to it as a second operating system. But, what if you want to run Windows' .exe programs directly from your Mac operating system? This has been impossible until now. In the Mac App Store, you can download an application called WinOnX. This application doesn't require you to have any instance of Windows on your computer. Instead, you can download .exe (executable) applications to run directly from this program virtually. So in simpler words: you can run Windows applications on your Mac computer without Windows installed.

Here's how:

Download WinOnX from the Mac App Store. It will cost you $4.99. After downloading WinOnX, find a .exe program that you wish to run, for example, Mozilla Firefox for Windows and download it. Once it downloads, you can double-click it to run it like you could with any .app application on your Mac computer. WinOnX will run you through installing and using the Windows application like you would on Windows, only on your Mac instead. Running Firefox for Windows on your Mac will yield this look:



This option will cost you some money, but it uses a lot less disk space for Mac users. If you have a solid state drive like me, you may select this option instead of dual booting in order to save storage drive space. Redmond Pie recommends that you just buy a new PC to install Windows programs on, because Mac is beautiful on its own.

Name: WinOnX
Price: $4.99
Version: 1.0.1
Developer: Hisham El-Emam – NES Software
Editor's Rating:  3/5

Alternatively, you can try the free application: WineBottler.

What do you think? Will you be trying WinOnX? Share in the comments below!

Sources: Redmond Pie

[J Sweeney]

That's just basically a copy of the Wine/Winebottler source code. Go download Winebottler, it's free.

[Anthony Bouchard]

That's just basically a copy of the Wine/Winebottler source code. Go download Winebottler, it's free.

Cool idea :P

[J Sweeney]

That's just basically a copy of the Wine/Winebottler source code. Go download Winebottler, it's free.

You can also blatantly see the Wine app's logo right there.

[Simon]

You can also blatantly see the Wine app's logo right there.

You make it sound like this is some underhanded thing. On the app store the app's description has right it in that it is based on the open source wine project.

[chitownlilvil]

Can I use this to run Internet explorer?

[dennder]

Author, maybe you should write about CrossOver as well, eh?

[feidhlim1986]

It's kinda pointless to demo this App to run a Windows Program that's already available as a native Mac App!

It'd make a bit more sense to demo running a Windows only App.

[wesker17]

Has someone instal a game? Dose it runs smoothly? For example LoL

[Anthony Bouchard]

It's kinda pointless to demo this App to run a Windows Program that's already available as a native Mac App!

It'd make a bit more sense to demo running a Windows only App.

You can always download it yourself and try it.

[Simon]

I have tried this one and Crossover and both work well for me. I mainly use them for Microsoft publisher.

[MaxWhiteHat]

That's just basically a copy of the Wine/Winebottler source code. Go download Winebottler, it's free.

Exactly a copy of it up on the App Store to take money from us...

[DaLsim]

How about the other way around? install mac on window.(MacOnWin R xOnWin R MacOnX)?

[mmaboi21]

How about the other way around? install mac on window.(MacOnWin R xOnWin R MacOnX)?

That's what I'm talking bout'.

[iKillYou]

I think it's funny how Crapple users are always boasting about how great their mac is yet they ALWAYS have the need to run WINDOWS and WINDOWS APPS on their mac. Funny how the majority of WINDOWS users don't need to run OS X on their PC's.

[ChSchuldiner]

I think it's funny how Crapple users are always boasting about how great their mac is yet they ALWAYS have the need to run WINDOWS and WINDOWS APPS on their mac. Funny how the majority of WINDOWS users don't need to run OS X on their PC's.

I think it's funny how you take the time to read on an Apple forum just to troll Apple. Ironically enough, I have a Mac with nothing Windows related on it. And I know several PC people that take the time to build Hackintosh computers or use VMWare to run a hacked version of OS X.

[ohthatguyagain]

I think it's funny how you take the time to read on an Apple forum just to troll Apple. Ironically enough, I have a Mac with nothing Windows related on it. And I know several PC people that take the time to build Hackintosh computers or use VMWare to run a hacked version of OS X.

Ladies, both operating systems have their merit. One is widely adopted, and is written better. Let's not argue here... Let's all just point and laugh at the elephant and the donkey.

[baRRy boRRis]

I was tempted to give this a try . . .:/

[LucasPukus]

I think it's funny how Crapple users are always boasting about how great their mac is yet they ALWAYS have the need to run WINDOWS and WINDOWS APPS on their mac. Funny how the majority of WINDOWS users don't need to run OS X on their PC's.

Ive had VMWare on my mbp for three years..... Ive used it maybe 3 times?...just sayin...

[Don Ju4n]

I find it pretty funny that this is copied from an open source program, ad that they decide to charge 5 bucks for it. People, it's not that complicated to do some googling, finding Wine app and getting the same functionality for FREE!