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Windows on a Mac

February 3, 2015August 13, 2024

(Icky but possible)

Although the landscape has changed for the better, some websites just work better (or only work) on Windows and Internet Explorer. Case in point, a client had to make a setting change in Exchange OWA. When logging in through Safari, OWA would go directly into the Lite version of OWA, even though the latest version Safari is supported. Go to the same site on Windows 7 running Internet Explorer 9 and boom you get all the settings needed to make the change (aka OWA Premium).

How did I confirm this behavior? By running Windows on my Mac via Parallels Desktop. There are 2 ways you can run Windows on your Mac – natively via Boot Camp, and through an Application like Parallels. With Boot Camp you get full speed Windows, through Parallels there is a speed slow down. But, with Boot Camp, you have to reboot to switch between Mac and Windows. In Parallels, you just launch the App. Depending on your preference and needs one may be a better choice than the other. For me, occasional Windows use without interrupting my normal workflow puts Parallels as the best choice. With all of the above you need to purchase or have a copy of Windows (yuck).

If you’re testing compatibility and need a full copy of Windows for non-commercial use, visit modern.ie. Full versions of Windows with Internet Explorer are FREE, legal, and ready to be used with Parallels ($79.99), VM Fusion ($69.99) and Virtual Box (Free). The downloads are large (very large) so be prepared to wait as the virtual machine downloads. Your patience will pay off, you’ll get a full copy of Windows with Internet Explorer and won’t have the gross feeling of buying Windows.

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