How to Modify the Hardware UUID of a macOS Sierra Virtual Machine in VMware Fusion/Parallels Desktop
macOS Sierra, and indeed many other macOS versions, can be a bit particular about their hardware configurations. If you're running macOS Sierra in a virtual machine environment like VMware Fusion or Parallels Desktop, you might encounter issues related to the virtual machine's hardware UUID. This unique identifier is used by the operating system to identify the specific hardware it's running on. If it changes, macOS Sierra might believe it's running on a different computer, leading to activation problems, software compatibility issues, or even refusal to boot altogether.
Fortunately, you can easily modify the hardware UUID of your macOS Sierra virtual machine in both VMware Fusion and Parallels Desktop. This process essentially tricks the operating system into thinking it's running on the same hardware, solving potential issues and ensuring smooth operation. Let's delve into how to achieve this on both platforms.
Modifying the Hardware UUID in VMware Fusion
VMware Fusion offers a straightforward way to change the hardware UUID of your macOS Sierra virtual machine. Follow these steps:
- Open VMware Fusion and navigate to the virtual machine library.
- Select your macOS Sierra virtual machine and right-click on it.
- Choose "Settings" from the context menu.
- Go to the "Advanced" tab within the Settings window.
- Locate the "UUID" option. This field displays the current hardware UUID of your virtual machine.
- Click on the "Generate" button next to the UUID field. This will create a new, randomly generated UUID.
- Confirm your changes by clicking "OK".
Now, when you start your macOS Sierra virtual machine, it will see a new hardware UUID, which should alleviate any issues related to its previous identifier.
Modifying the Hardware UUID in Parallels Desktop
Parallels Desktop provides a similar approach to changing the hardware UUID. Here's how to do it:
- Open Parallels Desktop and access your virtual machine library.
- Select your macOS Sierra virtual machine.
- Click on "Configure" from the top menu bar or by right-clicking on the virtual machine in the library.
- Navigate to the "Hardware" tab within the configuration window.
- Scroll down to the "System" section. Here you'll find the current hardware UUID of your virtual machine.
- Click on the "Generate" button next to the UUID field to create a new one.
- Confirm your changes by clicking "Apply".
With the new hardware UUID generated, your macOS Sierra virtual machine will start with a fresh identifier, hopefully resolving any compatibility issues related to the previous one.
Troubleshooting and Considerations
While modifying the hardware UUID is a common solution for macOS Sierra virtual machine problems, it's not a universal fix. If you're still experiencing issues, you might need to explore other solutions. Consider these additional steps:
- Check for VMware Fusion or Parallels Desktop updates: Make sure you're running the latest versions of these virtualization software. Updates often address compatibility issues and bugs.
- Verify your macOS Sierra virtual machine configuration: Ensure the virtual machine has sufficient resources allocated, such as RAM and processor cores. You can adjust these settings in the configuration window of your virtual machine.
- Reinstall macOS Sierra: If all else fails, reinstalling macOS Sierra on your virtual machine might be necessary. This can help resolve corrupt files or configurations.
Remember that changing the hardware UUID might affect the activation status of your macOS Sierra installation. You might need to reactivate your copy of macOS Sierra after modifying the UUID.
Final Thoughts
Modifying the hardware UUID can be a crucial step in troubleshooting macOS Sierra virtual machine problems. Both VMware Fusion and Parallels Desktop offer simple and user-friendly ways to generate a new UUID for your virtual machine. By following these steps, you can potentially resolve issues related to activation, software compatibility, and even boot failures. However, if the problem persists, consider exploring other solutions, including updates, configuration adjustments, or a clean reinstall of macOS Sierra. Always keep your virtual machine software updated and ensure adequate resources are allocated to your virtual machine for optimal performance and stability.
