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I did not read anything about installing Windows on Apple hardware and then running OSX Capitan in a virtual machine. Is that really allowed?

dogweather 11y ago
I think it might be!
joosters 11y ago
As long as the OSX VM runs on Apple hardware, it's allowed. Apple does not put any legal restrictions on what OS you choose to run on Mac hardware, you're free to install Windows on it (but then you'd better be complying with Windows' license terms)
- wila 11y ago
  The problem with VMs is that it presents virtual hardware to the Guest OS and as such it is not apple hardware by definition. Besides that Apple has a restriction that your guest OS must run under an Apple host OS. Note that there is an interesting side case with vSphere ESXi where the host OS is a hypervisor not an apple provided OS. This appears to be legal as VMware clearly supports it, if an only if vSphere runs on apple hardware, but I'm not sure how that fits in the EULA.
wila 11y ago
This is a question I see pop up every now and then, it was never legal, but I just looked it up again. Unfortunately, no, that's not allowed, your host OS must be an apple supplied OS. See also [1] and here's the excerpt: (iii) to install, use and run up to two (2) additional copies or instances of the Apple Software within virtual operating system environments on each Mac Computer you own or control that is already running the Apple Software [1] http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/OSX1011.pdf http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/OSX1011.pdf
- hobarrera 11y ago
  Technically, you can install windows, iTunes, and then an OS X VM. That would seem to comply with the "is already running Apple Software". Or did I miss something?
  - wila 11y ago
    Yes, you really need to read it in context "The Apple Software" here is a reference to earlier and is meant to be an apple operating system in this case El Capitan, although they extend it a bit. The quote was shortened by me for brevity. If you want a bit more context here's the slightly longer version of the quote: .....you are granted a limited, non-transferable, nonexclusive license: (i) to download, install, use and run for personal, non-commercial use, one (1) copy of the Apple Software directly on each Apple-branded computer running OS X Yosemite, OS X Mavericks, OS X Mountain Lion, OS X Lion or OS X Snow Leopard (“Mac Computer”) that you own or control; (ii) If you are a commercial enterprise or educational institution, to download, install, use and run one (1) copy of the Apple Software for use either: (a) by a single individual on each of the Mac Computer(s) that you own or control, or (b) by multiple individuals on a single shared Mac Computer that you own or control. For example, a single employee may use the Apple Software on both the employee’s desktop Mac Computer and laptop Mac Computer, or multiple students may serially use the Apple Software on a single Mac Computer located at a resource center or library; and (iii) to install, use and run up to two (2) additional copies or instances of the Apple Software within virtual operating system environments on each Mac Computer you own or control that is already running the Apple Software, for purposes of: (a) software development; (b) testing during software development; (c) using OS X Server; or (d) personal, noncommercial use.

dogweather 11y ago

I think it might be!

joosters 11y ago

As long as the OSX VM runs on Apple hardware, it's allowed. Apple does not put any legal restrictions on what OS you choose to run on Mac hardware, you're free to install Windows on it (but then you'd better be complying with Windows' license terms)

wila 11y ago
The problem with VMs is that it presents virtual hardware to the Guest OS and as such it is not apple hardware by definition. Besides that Apple has a restriction that your guest OS must run under an Apple host OS. Note that there is an interesting side case with vSphere ESXi where the host OS is a hypervisor not an apple provided OS. This appears to be legal as VMware clearly supports it, if an only if vSphere runs on apple hardware, but I'm not sure how that fits in the EULA.

wila 11y ago

This is a question I see pop up every now and then, it was never legal, but I just looked it up again. Unfortunately, no, that's not allowed, your host OS must be an apple supplied OS. See also [1] and here's the excerpt: (iii) to install, use and run up to two (2) additional copies or instances of the Apple Software within virtual operating system environments on each Mac Computer you own or control that is already running the Apple Software [1] http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/OSX1011.pdf http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/OSX1011.pdf

hobarrera 11y ago
Technically, you can install windows, iTunes, and then an OS X VM. That would seem to comply with the "is already running Apple Software". Or did I miss something?
- wila 11y ago
  Yes, you really need to read it in context "The Apple Software" here is a reference to earlier and is meant to be an apple operating system in this case El Capitan, although they extend it a bit. The quote was shortened by me for brevity. If you want a bit more context here's the slightly longer version of the quote: .....you are granted a limited, non-transferable, nonexclusive license: (i) to download, install, use and run for personal, non-commercial use, one (1) copy of the Apple Software directly on each Apple-branded computer running OS X Yosemite, OS X Mavericks, OS X Mountain Lion, OS X Lion or OS X Snow Leopard (“Mac Computer”) that you own or control; (ii) If you are a commercial enterprise or educational institution, to download, install, use and run one (1) copy of the Apple Software for use either: (a) by a single individual on each of the Mac Computer(s) that you own or control, or (b) by multiple individuals on a single shared Mac Computer that you own or control. For example, a single employee may use the Apple Software on both the employee’s desktop Mac Computer and laptop Mac Computer, or multiple students may serially use the Apple Software on a single Mac Computer located at a resource center or library; and (iii) to install, use and run up to two (2) additional copies or instances of the Apple Software within virtual operating system environments on each Mac Computer you own or control that is already running the Apple Software, for purposes of: (a) software development; (b) testing during software development; (c) using OS X Server; or (d) personal, noncommercial use.