You can now run Windows 11 seamlessly on Apple Silicon Macs with Microsoft’s stamp of approval
You can now run Windows 11 virtually on the latest Apple Mac devices (those with Apple’s own ARM-based M1, M2, or M3 chips) using Microsoft-authorized methods.
The MacBook maker switched from Intel processors in its devices to its own new line of Apple silicon ARM processors in 2020, and that change meant that Mac users who wanted to use Microsoft’s Windows operating systems (or Windows apps) were left out in the cold. ..
For Mac devices with Intel processors, users could turn to the multi-boot utility Boot Camp, which allowed users to install Windows on their Mac and run it as their chosen operating system (OS) – instead of the default macOS.
Users with Apple silicon processor devices cannot use Boot Camp as it is incompatible and would have to turn to other ways to run Windows operating systems such as emulators and virtualization programs. There are many virtualization programs available, but now Microsoft has decided which programs they think are best for this.
Microsoft’s blessing
Microsoft published a message on its support website it officially endorses two methods that allow a user with Mac devices with M1, M2, or M3 chips to run Windows 11 on their machine: Windows 365 Cloud PC (a service offered by Microsoft itself) and Parallels.
Microsoft has authorized Parallels desktop versions 18 and 19 to run the ARM-specific versions of Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Enterprise.
Users can do this by installing Parallels Desktop version 18 or version 19 and creating a virtual machine that lives within your existing operating system (probably macOS in this case). It explains that the ARM versions of Windows 11 OS have limitations that affect a user’s ability to run certain hardware, games, and apps (unfortunately a long-standing problem with Windows 11 on ARM devices). However, this solution does give users access to most Windows 11 features, such as hardware acceleration, many multimedia technologies, and more.
Some limitations of Parallels include features that take advantage of Windows’ nested virtualization capabilities, such as Windows Subsystem for Android, Windows Subsystem for Linux, Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), and Windows Sandbox (which allows users to run isolated apps without affecting your computer or to harm). main operating system installation). Parallels Desktop for Mac also cannot run 32-bit Windows ARM versions, as Microsoft stopped supporting 32-bit UWP apps for ARM in January last year.
Apple also dropped support for 32-bit apps a while ago, with no known fixes to get them working in modern macOS versions. If you want to try out the mentioned features, advises Neowin Microsoft’s other highlighted service, Windows 365 cloud PC (which runs in a web browser window, making it much easier to set up), or get a Windows laptop instead.
The standard edition of Parallels Desktop 19 will cost you $99.99 per year and the Pro version usually costs $119.99 per year, but Amazon is currently offering it at a 25% discount for $89.99 for a 1 year subscription.
Microsoft’s in-house solution, Windows 365 Cloud PC, allows Mac users to stream a fully fleshed out and personalized version of Windows 11 using a silicon chip. Microsoft describes this as a “software-as-a-service solution for organizations of all sizes,” so this isn’t for individual users (yet).
It offers many of the features that Parallels lacks, such as nested virtualization for testing, support for emulators within the Windows 11 virtual operating system, and more. Perhaps we could see Microsoft introduce an individual model similar to the commercial version, as it recently did for the premium version of its new flagship digital assistant, Copilot Pro.
Of course, Microsoft wants you to run Windows 11 on a PC specifically designed for it (it even mentions this in the first line of the support message). However, many users like to experiment and personalize their computing experiences, and I think Microsoft’s willingness to accommodate that with its products is creating a positive impression among users and professionals.
While some Mac and MacBook users may be wary of the idea of using Windows on their devices, there are some useful benefits for people who want to test Windows 11 programs or use programs that don’t currently have native Mac support, so it’s good to see Microsoft recognizing this and offering support and advice, even if it is through gritted teeth.