Windows Setup Error (Compatibility Report)

[Tattoo89]

After turning on my VM and going through the Windows Setup process, I get stuck at the

Upgrade: Install Windows

page. I get the following Compatibility report message:

The computer started using the Windows installation media. Remove the installation media and restart your computer so Windows starts normally. Then, insert the installation media and restart the upgrade. [Do not select ICustom (advanced) to perform an upgrade. ICustom (advanced) installs a new copy of Windows and deletes your programs and settings.]

Since the ISO file is located on my Mac's hard drive, there is no "installation media", i.e., thumb drive.

All I want to do is use Windows 10 VM on my MacBook so I can run Windows-only programs.

Any suggestions or recommendations? Thanks.

[loukingjr]

the .iso IS the 'installation media". I thought you already had everything worked out in your previous post?

[Tattoo89]

I currently have the .iso selected as the installation media, and it DOES show it in Settings-->Storage. I restarted my computer and opened the VM. When I do that, the screen shows Windows Setup and gives me an Install Now button. I don't understand why. I thought that after installing the ISO file, it would act as "Windows" on my Mac--obviously not. Any suggestions?

[loukingjr]

First of all you shouldn't have started a new post since you already had one open. You have to install the OS, not just mount the .iso.

[Tattoo89]

I thought because this was a new error I could start a new post.

Ok, so I have to install the complete OS. I was under the impression that all I needed was to download the ISO in order to run VirtualBox. I guess I was totally wrong. Please confirm if I have to download the complete OS. Thanks.

[loukingjr]

VirtualBox User Manual.

[Tattoo89]

I already read through it and went through the Virtual Box Installation for Mac OS X hosts, starting on page 36. I already have Virtual Box installed on my computer. It looks like I will have to add the actual Windows 10 OS on my hard drive. I was worried about the amount of space it takes up. I'm only using the VM for one Windows program that I need for work.

Do you have a recommendation for another Windows OS that would work just as well, especially for my limited needs? Sorry for the confusion.

[BillG]

No way to answer that question because you did not tell use what Windows programs (and what versions of them) you want to run.

Most (but not all) reasonably recent programs written for earlier versions of Windows will run in Windows 10, but programs written for Win 8 or later may not run in earlier versions.

[socratis]

Virtual Box Installation for Mac OS X hosts, starting on page 36

OK, now you need to start reading "Ch. 1.7 Creating your first virtual machine" and "Ch. 1.8 Running your virtual machine", starting at page 18 of the 5.0.4 user manual in PDF format.

[Tattoo89]

Thanks, socratis. I will have to purchase Windows 10 in order to download it. I understand what I was doing wrong.