Dual Booting Windows 10 and Mac: The Proper Way to License Windows 10 for Use in a VM

When it comes to dual booting Windows 10 and Mac, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. For instance, using GPT for the install media can make the boot disk incompatible with older computers that don't use UEFI, as well as more modern systems with buggy boot processes.

However, this article is incomplete on a very sensitive matter - licensing Windows 10 for use in a virtual machine (VM). Many tech enthusiasts and YouTubers advertise cheap OEM keys that can be used for VM installations. But do these keys actually work? And if so, what are the proper steps to follow?

As someone who has experience running multiple operating systems simultaneously on an old Threadripper 1920X machine with sufficient memory, I've found that it's possible to run two Windows machines and a Linux host, all with dedicated graphics processing units (GPUs). With GPU passthrough, you can even achieve close to native performance.

In my case, I prefer to run Windows in a VM hosted on a Linux machine. This allows me to take advantage of the strengths of both operating systems while minimizing conflicts between them. For example, Cygwin provides a proper terminal window with select-as-copy and middle-click-as-paste functionality, which is essential for command-line enthusiasts like myself.

Another option is WSL2, which works well under Windows 10 and 11. However, keep in mind that Hyper-V activation is required to use WSL2, which can limit your hypervisor options. On the other hand, Cygwin and WSL1 are also useful tools that offer more flexibility.

Ultimately, I prefer to install Linux manually in a hypervisor of my choosing - never Hyper-V. This approach provides greater control over the installation process and allows me to avoid any potential compatibility issues with Windows.

As one commentator noted, 'I'm surprised you didn't at least mention WSL2, which works really well under Windows 10 and 11.' Indeed, WSL2 is a powerful tool that can be used to run Linux distributions directly on top of Windows without the need for virtualization. However, for those who prefer a more traditional VM approach, the methods outlined above can help you achieve your dual-booting goals while avoiding any potential licensing issues.

Dual boot windows 10 mac