Parallels manages the complexities of Windows 11’s TPM and Secure Boot requirements with a virtual TPM combined with Apple silicon. Parallels began supporting Windows on M1 chips with the release of Parallels Desktop 16.5, but this most recent version enables one-click download and installation of Windows 11.

Microsoft has only licensed Windows versions of Arm directly to OEMs up until recently, making it difficult for M1 and M2 customers to run it in VM officially. Microsoft’s proposal to officially authorize Parallels to support this method of running Windows 11 on Apple’s most recent Macs is a significant improvement over what we had previously. Apple has offered no indication that it will support Boot Camp on M1 or M2 Macs, which will not deliver the highest performance attainable with a native solution. Microsoft has restrictions on which CPUs may run Windows 11 natively, while Apple M1 and M2 customers can run the operating system in a virtual environment. According to a new Microsoft support document published today, Parallels Desktop version 18 is “approved” to run Arm versions of Windows 11 on Apple’s most recent M1 and M2 Macs. I assume this is either because this is a funky prerelease version or because the software license has not been validated (see above).Microsoft collaborates with Parallels to enable a virtualized Arm version of Windows on Apple’s most recent laptops.Ī partnership between Microsoft and Parallels enables Windows 11 to run in a virtual environment on Apple’s M1 and M2 Macs. I have played around with settings in Windows and the Parallels configuration panel, but whatever I choose is not stick and reverts back to some default setting. I could continue to use this Pro edition, but it requires frequent updates, and I don't know if it is guaranteed to keep working as it currently does - which is still problematic since the screen resolution cannot be changed and some of the popup windows are in 6pt type on the Mac's retina screen. It appears that it is not possible to downgrade the M1 to Windows 10, for technical reasons I don't understand (I'll take their word for it).Ĥ. What is Parallels planning on doing about this? It is not exactly a 'virtual machine', more like a 'sort of virtual machine.'ģ. Microsoft offers me the ability to purchase the Pro edition for $199, but I don't want to do that.Ģ.

Currently, using the Pro Insider is the only way to run Windows on my M1 Mac. I am not able to use my W10 Home license number to validate this W11 Pro Insider.Īnd there does not appear to be a W11 Home edition that I can purchase, or if there is I don't know how to identify it.ġ.

It is the Pro Insider Edition, which is considered 'prerelease.' When I upgraded to the M1 I had to reinstall Windows to Windows 11 using the procedure outlined by Parallel. I had a Windows 10 Home edition on my old Intel iMac.

Parallels mac windows 11