Does running Windows on Mac slow it down?

Let's dive into the big question, 'Does running Windows on a Mac slow it down?'

The answer will largely depend on how Windows is installed and used. While running Windows won't automatically affect your Mac's performance, certain setups and resource-heavy tasks can sometimes slow things down.

Let's take a closer look.

How will running Windows on Mac slow it down

Using tools like Boot Camp Assistant or virtual machines (e.g., Parallels or VMware) to run Windows on Mac is pretty common practice. As you might already know, each method has performance trade-offs:

1. Boot Camp Assistant: When installed via Boot Camp Assistant, Windows runs natively on your Mac, meaning there's no performance degradation while using Windows. However, partitioning your hard drive reduces available macOS storage, which could slow down your Mac if space becomes tight.

2. Virtual Machines: Running Windows via a virtual machine lets you use macOS and Windows simultaneously, but it's resource-intensive. This can cause sluggish performance, especially on older Macs or during resource-heavy tasks like gaming or video editing.

If you want to know more about running Windows programs on Mac, check out this article.

How to keep your Mac fast

To avoid performance issues, you need to keep an eye on and manage resources effectively. Apps like CleanMyMac can help do this. It comes with a Performance tool that focuses on managing background processes, disabling unnecessary login items, and running essential maintenance tasks; here's how it works:

1. Get your free CleanMyMac trial and open the app.

2. Click Performance > Scan.

3. Click Run Tasks to perform recommended maintenance routines. You can also click View All Tasks to choose what to do.

If your Mac feels slow overall, check out our guide on speeding up a slow Mac.

If someone asks you if running Windows on Mac slows it down, you now know what to say.