Install Omarchy in VirtualBox, VMware, or Parallels

Test Omarchy in a VirtualBox, VMware, or Parallels VM on Windows or macOS, and understand how that differs from Omarchy's built-in Windows 11 VM.

You can test Omarchy in VirtualBox, VMware Workstation, or Parallels, but the official site treats these as user-driven, non-default paths. A VM is useful for exploring the interface, shortcuts, and software flow. It cannot reliably prove native GPU performance, battery life, sleep behavior, or hardware compatibility.

Two opposite VM directions

“Run Omarchy on Windows or macOS” makes Omarchy the guest. “Omarchy's Windows VM” runs Windows 11 as a guest on an Omarchy host. Their requirements, performance, and risks differ.

Choose a host platform

Host	Tools you can test	Main limitation
Windows	VMware Workstation or VirtualBox	CPU virtualization is required; Hyper-V coexistence can affect performance
Intel Mac	Parallels or another x86 virtualization tool	Graphics acceleration, key mapping, and networking still need verification
Apple Silicon Mac	Native virtualization is ARM-only; x86_64 Omarchy requires emulation	Performance and compatibility do not represent native x86_64 hardware
Linux	KVM/QEMU or third-party tools	Omarchy offers direction, not a promise for every configuration

The official page names Parallels, VirtualBox, and VMware Workstation. It does not provide a full UTM support commitment. On Apple Silicon, treat x86_64 emulation through UTM as a functional preview rather than final installation proof.

The community directory also tracks a QEMU/WHPX developer preview for Windows and SPICE guest clipboard/display integration. Both still have release, acceleration, or host-test gaps. Read their current status and risk boundaries rather than treating them as officially supported paths.

Create an Omarchy test VM

Download the ISO from the official Omarchy site or official GitHub releases.
Verify the version and SHA-256 against the release page; avoid repackaged images.
Disable Secure Boot and/or TPM for the virtual machine, as required by the official install guidance.
Allocate enough CPU, memory, and virtual disk while leaving capacity for the host.
Attach the ISO and follow the standard ISO installation flow.
After first boot, install the platform's guest tools if applicable, then test resolution, clipboard, network, and keys.
Take a VM snapshot before experimenting with updates or customization.

The official unattended installation is useful for VM or fleet base images, but automation increases the consequences of a wrong disk target or mishandled key. Keep the first test interactive and use a disposable virtual disk.

Why VirtualBox may feel slow

Omarchy uses Hyprland and a modern Wayland graphics stack. The official page explicitly warns that VirtualBox performance “probably won't be great.” Stutter, animation problems, multi-monitor issues, or missing acceleration in a VM do not prove the same problem exists on bare metal.

Use a VM to test whether:

boot, installation, updates, and restart complete;
Super shortcuts are intercepted by the host or VM software;
terminal, package, theme, and workspace concepts fit your workflow;
temporary file sharing and clipboard integration are sufficient;
deleting the VM leaves host data untouched.

Use recoverable physical hardware or a separate drive to validate graphics, Bluetooth, audio, sleep, and battery behavior.

Run Windows 11 inside Omarchy

Omarchy also provides Install → Windows, which installs Windows 11 Pro as a Docker VM. This is not dual boot and not Omarchy inside Windows. The host needs KVM virtualization and substantial storage; the official guide recommends 64GB or more as a sensible VM disk floor.

Useful commands:

omarchy windows vm status
omarchy windows vm launch
omarchy windows vm launch --keep-alive
omarchy windows vm stop

The shared directory is ~/Windows, while VM storage lives in ~/.windows; ports bind to localhost only. There is no GPU passthrough, so this route is not suited to gaming or professional video editing. Windows 11 Pro is unactivated and requires your own license for activation.

When to use dual boot or separate hardware

If you need native GPU access, anti-cheat gaming, low-latency audio, professional peripherals, or accurate battery testing, VM evidence is insufficient. Review the dual-boot risks and Windows/macOS migration map before changing a real disk.

Sources: official Omarchy on… page, Windows VM manual, and getting started guide.