Mac Users - Start Here

If you have a Mac read this and get it ready before classes start

IMPORTANT: Macs with ARM processors (starting in 2020) should NOT be used in Engineering.

Reason 1: Software incompatibilities with ARM processor. Not all Engineering software will install, even with a Windows VM.

Reason 2: Your Engineering software will be buggy and slow, if it installs at all.


Known issues with Arm (M1 & M2) processor:

    • MAE & BME students will have problems installing and using Solidworks on a VM.

          • As of 10/5/2021 Solidworks does not install on Fusion or Parallels.

    • BME students - Linx plug in for LabView does not work on M1. You will not be able to work on BME60A projects.

    • CEE majors will have issues using AutoCad on a VM.

          • For upper division courses, AutoCad Civil Engineering is used and there is no Mac version.

    • Other majors will have less issues with using Windows in a VM, but there are no guarantees.

    • There are NO GUARANTEES an M1 will work without problems. Use at your own risk.

    • Fusion does not work on Macs with M1 processor. Use Parallels instead.


STEP 1 - Figure out what kind of processor you have, Intel? M1 or M2?

If you have an M1 or other ARM-based processor, then you need to use Parallels and the version of Windows 11 that works with ARM. You can download this from Parallels.

Note: Fusion does not appear to be compatible with ARM-based processors as of 8/18/2022 but things might change without my knowledge.

We do not have a site license for Parallels, you need to purchase it on your own.

We do not expect Engineering software to work with Parallels & Windows 11 or ARM.

Expect to use the HSSOE computer labs.


STEP 2 - OBTAIN WINDOWS 10 PRO - (Macs with Intel Processor)

  1. For best results, do not use Safari. Try a different browser such as Chrome or Firefox.

  2. Create a Personal Microsoft Software account

        • Instructions are at OIT's page for Student O365

        • Follow instructions carefully

        • Do not specify a personal gmail account anywhere in the process.

        • If you use a personal gmail account, you will not have access to the full library of software because Microsoft will not recognize your Academic association.

        • Only specify your UCINetID and the ucinetid@personalmicrosoftsoftware.uci.edu account.

  3. Login to Microsoft Azure Dev Tools using your "UCInetID@personalmicrosoftsoftware.uci.edu" login account.

  4. Look for "Software"

  5. Find Windows 10 (consumer editions)- DVD (.iso)

        • If you are asked to pay for Windows, then you have not created your account correctly or you have not logged in correctly.

            • If this happens, try a different browser

        • Or, clear the cookies in your browser.

        • If you don't see the download, then contact Lisa Preble, labs@eng.uci.edu.

        • The Azure Dev Tools site is always changing so contact Lisa if you don't see the correct Windows 10 download.

  6. Click the "view key" box on the right. Copy the serial number to a text file in case you cannot open the page again.

  7. Click on "Download" on the bottom right to download the software.

        • You'll have Windows installer media in ".iso' format.

  8. NOTE the following:

    • Sometimes the download fails with Safari so use Mozilla Firefox or Chrome.

    • If the Bootcamp installation does not like Windows, then download again using a different browser.

    • Contact Lisa Preble, labs@eng.uci.edu if you have issues obtaining Windows 10 Pro using the Azure for Dev Tools website.


STEP 3 - (OPTION A) - Install Windows on your Mac using Fusion (Macs with Intel processor)

  1. Clean up your laptop

      • Remove unnecessary files

      • Move files to the cloud if you don't need them locally on your laptop

  2. Update your OS

  3. Request and Activate your VMWare Account

  4. Download Fusion

      • Big Sur requires Fusion 12

      • See this link to determine which version of Fusion if you have a previous MacOS

  5. Install Fusion & Windows


STEP 4 - (OPTION B) - Install Windows on your Mac using Bootcamp (only for Macs with Intel processor)

What is Apple's Bootcamp?

  • Boot Camp is a utility that comes with your Mac and lets you switch between MacOS and Windows.

  • It allows for Windows to be installed directly onto your hard drive on it's own separate partition.

  • When you turn on your computer, you can select which OS to use, Apple or Windows.

Prepare your Laptop and Plan

  1. Backup any important files to an external drive or cloud storage in case something bad happens during the installation process.

  2. Clean up your laptop

      • Remove unnecessary files

      • Move files to the cloud if you don't need them locally on your laptop

  3. Update your OS.

  4. Decide how much space you want to use

      • In general, plan for 150-250GB

      • For MAE, CEE, and BME students, consider using half the hard drive for your Windows installation partition.

          • Your hard drive will fill up quickly

          • Plan for at least 250GB.

      • Other majors might get away with 150 GB but it's best to plan for more disk space.

      • You may have to re-do the work more than once

Install Windows using Bootcamp

  • Visit the Apple's Bootcamp website for the latest information and instructional guides

  • Every make & model is different so you need to visit Apple's for the latest information.

  • Detailed instructions for various MacBooks are found on the BootCamp website

TIP: Use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi

      • Consider installing BootCamp via Ethernet instead of Wi-fi

  • The process will take about 1.5-2 hours over WiFi.

  • Using Ethernet, it'll take around 5-10 minutes

Install fan control software to help with over-heating (for Bootcamp).

  • Many Apple users complain of their laptops overheating while running Windows

  • To solve this issue, it is recommended to install Mac Fan Control.


STEP 5 - Install system and security updates on Windows.

  • After installing Windows, ensure your Windows OS is up-to-date by visiting Windows Update.


STEP 6 - UCI requires you to use anti-virus software.


STEP 7 - Install the latest Microsoft .Net Framework.


Other resources for Mac Users

In the event you are having difficulty installing Windows, Please be aware of the following resources: