Is there a reasonably simple way for me to go on using the defunct, Intel-based Nisus Writer Pro?

I have now reconstructed it all and found the entire fix, thanks to the assistance of my software engineer and Claude.

The latest versions of Nisus Writer Pro (I have 3.4.1) are Universal, not Intel, and run natively on Apple Silicon. It does not need Rosetta.

Apple's own System Information.app tells us so. The Activity Monitor tells us so.

The thing that triggers our Macs warnings about Intel support is an app bundled with NWP, the Nisus File Converter.app (Applications>Nisus Writer Pro>Contents>MacOs: in this folder are found two separate apps: Nisus Writer Pro.app and Nisus File Converter.app). They also run separately, and if you search for it in Activity Monitor, it shows you that Nisus File Converter.app is Intel, a Libre Office pre-Silicon app.

Now, people have deleted this app from the bundle (it is just used to convert files to import in NWP, and the standalone new Libre Office does as good or even better job). And it does not break NWP in any way, and the warnings cease.

But there is a snag, if minor. The app is listed in the Code Signature of NWP. As NWP is an old trusted app, MacOS may never decide to check its code signature -- but if for any reason it does, or if you move to a new Mac, there is a good chance that it will shut it down because it does not pass muster. One can reseal the NWP if MacOS objects to it but is is a procedure somewhat iffy and may need frequent repetitions.

The better option, offered by my experts, is to deactivate this app in NWP settings:

open Settings ▸ Advanced.

Untick "Load file importers in the background after Nisus Writer starts".

Set each of the three importers to Apple's own rather than LibreOffice.

This worked for me. The warnings stopped. NWP runs without a peep. And there is the near certainty that this app, which will become incapable of functioning after Intel dies, will not impact the functioning of NWP at all with its corpse, except for what concerns importing files like .docx with well preserved formatting, which Apple does not do well and Libre Office does much better.

DSharp_Paris wrote:

My question is this: is there a way of creating an environment on my existing computer—an M4 MacBook Air currently running Tahoe—that would allow me to go on using NWP indefinitely?

Yes.

Could that be done without too much difficulty?

Drop-dead easy.

You'll need a virtual machine. I recommend Virtual Buddy, available here: https://github.com/insidegui/VirtualBuddy

It's very easy to just pick the older OS version you want to install and have it up and running in a few minutes.

Virtual Buddy supports guest OS versions back to Monterey at least. Anything older than Sonoma may require some adjustments due to Apple's constantly changing APIs.

Nisus Writer Pro is not Intel Based, at least version 3.4.1 (the last one) is not. It is a Universal application and will continue to run as is even in MacOSX 28.

This is what Apples own System Information.app tells me (see attached screenshot).

But there is inside Nisus Writer Pro a conversion file from LibreOffice that is Intel, I have learned, and it triggers the warning on OSX 26.

Unfortunately I do not recall what is the name of the file and what exactly it does. But the information about this is in the Nisus forums I think.

DSharp_Paris wrote:

The company that produced the brilliant Nisus Writer Pro word processor (NWP) ceased to exist around a year ago, without making it possible for an open-source version to be maintained.

Since then, I've been unable to reconcile myself to the prospect of doing without it. At the latest, NWP is due to stop working once support ends for Intel-based apps.

My question is this: is there a way of creating an environment on my existing computer—an M4 MacBook Air currently running Tahoe—that would allow me to go on using NWP indefinitely?

If that's impossible, I might even be willing to envisage having a separate, older, computer that I'd use only for running NWP, and which potentially would not be connected to the internet for that reason.

Could that be done without too much difficulty?

re: "M4 MacBook Air currently running Tahoe"

re: " ceased to exist around a year ago, without making it possible for an open-source version to be maintained."

re: "stop working once support ends for Intel-based apps."

ref: Rosetta Using Intel-based apps on a Mac with Apple silicon

Have you contacted your developer —Nisus Software Support

For your third party devices/app—if in doubt search the developers website or contact their: Support/Help/FAQ/Known issues/compatibility/updates

Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support

Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support

There is Mellel for Mac (no longer in the Mac App Store, but direct from developer), and even has a discount for Nisus users. Free trial and very low purchase price for full version. I have never used Nisus products, nor have Mellel, but it may be a way forward for you on Apple Silicon depending upon the feature set and learning curve.

I have no financial interest in Mellel.

Thanks for that; I'll try Virtual Buddy as soon as I can.

From other info I've found online, notably via "Six Colors", it appears that should be able to go on using Nisus Writer Pro until MacOs 28 comes out in the second half of next year. ("Preparing for next year’s Rosetta 2 demise").

I therefore feel less worried about going on using Nisus for a while yet. While I'm doing so, I'll keep exporting my files to other formats, such as .docx, in order to have avenues of escape when and if needed.

Big, BIG thanks to you, etresoft!

I had completely forgotten about VirtualBuddy. While I did use UTM to install a test of Sequoia and it ran well, VirtualBuddy is not only drop-dead simple compared to use compared to UTM, the virtual OS of Sequoia I installed just now also runs much faster and smoother.

Saving the download link to that now. For others reading this topic, this is the same GitHub site for VirtualBuddy, but is the download page to get a copy that is already compiled and ready to use.

https://github.com/insidegui/VirtualBuddy/releases/tag/2.1

Back when (9/2025) the OWC Envoy Ultra TB5 SSD was less than half its current $799 price, I bought one expressly for storing my VM guests, and I can tell you that they boot up faster than when they were native installs on my M4 Mac Mini Pro. Even with Golden Gate as the host operating system.

I have an OWC Envoy Elektron SSD. One of several external SSDs I use for backups. I had originally purchased the faster OWC Envoy Pro SX Rugged Portable (at the time, and they no longer sell), but the port on the drive was not a good design for the USB-C plug. It had far too much room to wiggle and didn't connect solidly. As a result, it kept disconnecting on its own. They were out of stock for a replacement, so I took a refund and got the Elektron. Still a very fast SSD.

It was $230 when I bought it. $380 now.

Thanks for that, but Nisus software support no longer exists online—and NWP is no longer in the App Store.

However, the link you provided on using Intel-based apps on a Silicon Mac was useful.