Virtual machines are great for Mac users who need frequent access to Windows or Linux software. However, not everyone wants to purchase a licensed copy of Windows just for occasional use. That’s where CrossOver comes in, skipping the need for a complete OS by enabling direct installation of only the applications you need, thanks to self-contained virtual environments known as “bottles.”
You may be wondering how CrossOver works its magic without actually owning or installing Windows. The software uses a virtual Windows environment known as a “bottle,” essentially a unique C: drive, each with their own subdirectories, registry and installed applications. CrossOver allows multiple bottles within a single install -- perfect for users who want to have multiple versions of the same application available with completely different setups, each sandboxed inside its own virtual machine.
There are a variety of CrossOver packages available starting at $39.95, but you can get started today thanks to a free 30-day trial from the company’s website. The developer, Codeweavers, encourages users to test drive before buying to make sure users will be able to run the applications they need.
There are actually two versions of CrossOver: Impersonator for general apps, as well as a game-specific edition. The website will detect you’re on a Mac and offer you the latest version. After the DMG opens, drag CrossOver to your Applications folder and double-click to launch, then click “Try Now” to start your trial period.
The easiest way to get started with one of CrossOver’s many compatible presets. Click on the “Install Windows Software” button from the welcome screen and you’ll be greeted with a list of applications guaranteed to work. While many of these require you to have original installation discs, others like Internet Explorer 7 can be downloaded and installed immediately.
Select “Internet Explorer 7” from the list and click Install to download from the Codeweavers website along with the necessary components -- in this case, Core Fonts, Flash 10 ActiveX Control and Microsoft XML Parser 3.0. You’ll get a pop-up window or two prompting you to accept license agreements; click Yes (or Next) as they come up and the installation will proceed. Be sure the option to download updates or virus protection is unchecked -- Codeweavers claims these may cause the installation to fail. Such caveats, if applicable, are listed in the Installation Notes portion of the Installer window.
After the install, you’ll be prompted to “restart” your computer; accepting will finish the installation (you won’t have to restart your Mac). To run IE7, click “Run Installed Software” from the welcome screen, browse into the Accessories folder that opens in the Finder and double click the icon. Now sit back and party like it’s 2006!
CrossOver has dedicated users working to make unsupported applications play nice within its virtual walls. At present there are 250 such applications, which can be found at the bottom of the Software Installer list (along with Service Packs, Upgrades and Runtime Support Components).
To try out one of these applications, look for the Community Supported section under “Unsupported Applications,” select “QuickTime 7” and click Install. You’ll see a Quicktime for Windows installer window; click Next and then Yes at the license agreement, and finally Install. Launching QuickTime Player will give you a taste of why such installs are considered “unsupported” -- the window flickers incessantly on our mid-2010 iMac, although we did manage to sort of play an RTSP streaming video, sans controller buttons.
Now that you’ve wrapped your head around CrossOver, here are some ways to customize it. A visit to CrossOver > Preferences gives you the ability to “Include entries for untested and known-not-to-work software” under Installer Assistant as well as choosing Keyboard and Mouse settings to make the left and right Option key work like the Windows Alt key or access additional characters (the Command key always functions as Alt).
Finally, you can choose how you want removable discs to behave under System Integration. If you want CrossOver to open Windows discs by default, choose “Always open Windows CDs and DVDs with CrossOver”; likewise, you can ask for confirmation before launching (the default setting) or ignore disc insertion altogether.
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jparshall
July 18, 2011 at 9:25am
First off, thanks for the review--we really appreciate it. As for Lion support, we will have it in a matter of a day or two--I'm working on the press release as we speak.
Cheers,
-jon parshall-
COO
CodeWeavers
Apple879
July 15, 2011 at 8:56pm
You can just select a different user agent under the Develop menu in Safari to operate like you're in a different browser.
