How to Install and Run Capitalism Lab on Mac Using VMware Fusion
Capitalism Lab is a Windows game. VMware Fusion runs a complete copy of Windows on your Mac inside a virtual machine, and Capitalism Lab runs in that copy of Windows. This guide covers the whole process, from installing VMware Fusion to launching the game.
Before you start
Some steps differ depending on whether your Mac has an Intel processor or Apple silicon (M1, M2, M3 or M4). Each section below tells you which path to take.
To check which one you have, click the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. The chip line reads either “Intel” or “Apple M1”, “Apple M2”, and so on.
What your Mac needs
| Operating System | macOS Monterey 12 or later |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel, or Apple silicon (M1 to M4) |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM minimum, 16 GB recommended |
| Storage Space | About 30 GB free, for the virtual machine and Windows together |
Download and install VMware Fusion Pro
Create a free Broadcom account
Register for a free Basic User account on the Broadcom Support Portal. You will need to verify your email address and fill in a short trade compliance form. Use accurate details, because false information delays approval.
Register at BroadcomDownload VMware Fusion Pro
Once you are logged in, open the VMware Fusion download page, tick the Terms and Conditions checkbox, and download the latest .dmg installer.
If you see a “Not Entitled” error, your account is probably still waiting for approval. Check your email for the verification link, then try again once you have confirmed it.
Install VMware Fusion Pro
Open the downloaded .dmg file and double-click the installer, then follow the prompts. macOS may ask you to allow it in System Settings, Privacy & Security.
When the installer asks for a license key, click Finish, or select Use for free. No key is needed. Restart VMware Fusion if you are prompted to.
Get a Windows installation image
On an Intel Mac
You can use the standard Windows 10 or Windows 11 image directly from Microsoft, with no extra steps.
Open Microsoft’s download page, select Windows 11 (recommended) or Windows 10 from the edition list, choose your language, and download the .iso file. It is around 5 to 6 GB.
You will need a valid Windows product key to activate Windows. You can also leave it unactivated, which imposes some minor restrictions on the Windows interface but does not affect Capitalism Lab.
On an Apple silicon Mac
Microsoft now offers official Windows 11 ARM images for direct download. The Insider Program and the workaround tools that older guides describe are no longer needed.
Open Microsoft’s Windows 11 ARM64 download page, select the edition and your language, and download the .iso file. It is around 5 GB.
Windows 11 ARM includes a built-in emulation layer for x86 software, so Windows games built for Intel processors, Capitalism Lab among them, run without any extra setup.
Create a Windows virtual machine
Create a new virtual machine
Launch VMware Fusion Pro from your Applications folder and click Create a New Virtual Machine, or choose File, New.
Select Install from disc or image and click Continue. Drag the Windows .iso file you downloaded onto the window, or click “Use another disc or disc image” to locate it, then click Continue.
Set up encryption
Windows 11 requires a virtual TPM chip, which VMware provides through virtual machine encryption.
When you are asked about encryption, select Only the files needed to support a TPM are encrypted, which is the faster option. Click Auto Generate Password, make sure Remember Password and store it in Mac’s Keychain is ticked, and click Continue.
Set the virtual machine’s resources
On the last setup screen, click Customize Settings before you save. Give the virtual machine a name, such as “Windows 11”, and then adjust the following.
| Memory | At least 4 GB (4096 MB). Use 6 to 8 GB if your Mac has 16 GB or more in total. |
|---|---|
| Processors | 2 cores minimum, 4 cores for smoother performance |
| Hard Disk | The default 60 GB is fine. Capitalism Lab itself needs about 1 GB. |
| Display | Turn on 3D Acceleration if it is available, which helps Capitalism Lab’s DirectX rendering |
Close the settings window when you are done. The configuration is saved automatically.
Install Windows
Start the Windows installation
Click the play button on your virtual machine to start it. The Windows installer launches automatically from the image file. Then work through Windows Setup:
Select your language and region, and click Install Now. When you are asked for a product key, you can click I don’t have a product key and activate later. Select Windows 11 Home or Pro and accept the license terms. Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced), select the unallocated disk space, and click Next.
Finish setting up Windows
Windows restarts and walks you through its first-run setup. At the network and Microsoft account screen you can either sign in with a Microsoft account, or choose Set up for personal use and then Offline account to create a local account. Capitalism Lab does not need a Microsoft account. Work through the remaining prompts.
On Apple silicon with Windows ARM, if you get stuck on the network screen, press Shift + Fn + F10 to open a Command Prompt, type OOBE\BYPASSNRO and press Enter to skip the network requirement.
Install VMware Tools
VMware Tools improves performance, fixes display scaling, and lets you copy and paste between macOS and Windows.
In VMware Fusion, choose Virtual Machine, Install VMware Tools. Inside Windows, open File Explorer and find the VMware Tools drive that has appeared. Run setup.exe or setup64.exe, complete the installation, and restart Windows when prompted.
Run Windows Update
Go to Start, Settings, Windows Update and install everything on offer. This gives you the current drivers and security patches, which matters especially on Apple silicon, where the x86 emulation improves with each update.
Install and run Capitalism Lab
Download the Capitalism Lab installer
Inside your Windows virtual machine, open a browser and download Capitalism Lab from the Capitalism Lab website. You will need a registered account, whether you are playing the free trial version or a copy you have bought.
Download Capitalism LabInstall the game and log in
Run the installer you downloaded and follow the setup wizard. Launch Capitalism Lab from the desktop shortcut or the Start menu, enter your Capitalism Lab username and password, and click Play.
Tips and troubleshooting
The game runs slowly
Give the virtual machine more memory and more processor cores in the VMware Fusion settings, and make sure 3D acceleration is turned on. Closing other applications on your Mac while you play also helps.
The picture is blurry, or the resolution is wrong
In VMware Fusion, go to Virtual Machine, Settings, Display and turn on “Use full resolution for Retina display”. Then set the resolution you want inside the game.
Copy and paste does not work
Copying between macOS and Windows needs VMware Tools, which is installed in step 3 of “Install Windows” above. Restart the virtual machine after installing it.
Saving disk space
Once the virtual machine has been created you can delete the Windows .iso file. It is only needed during the installation. The virtual machine’s own disk image is all you need from then on.
Switching between Windows and macOS
Press Control + Command to release the mouse pointer from the virtual machine window and return to macOS. Unity mode is an alternative if you prefer to move between the two more freely.
The game needs an internet connection
Capitalism Lab checks your account over the internet each time it starts. Make sure the virtual machine’s network adapter is set to NAT, which is the default in VMware Fusion.
More support
For questions about Capitalism Lab itself, see the support FAQ, or write to [email protected].
Capitalism Lab Support FAQFor questions about VMware Fusion, Broadcom’s knowledge base article on Fusion and the VMware community forum are the places to look.