Microsoft has officially approved running Windows 11 on ARM-based Mac computers. Now, users can use Parallels Desktop 18 to run ARM versions of Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise on Macs powered by M1 and M2 chips.
However, there are some limitations. 32-bit ARM applications won’t run, partly because Microsoft does not recommend 32-bit software for all ARM Windows builds. Devices won’t function if there are no Windows 11 ARM drivers for them. Additionally, advanced virtualization features like Android apps, Linux subsystem, and Windows Sandbox won’t work, and some games requiring DirectX 12 or OpenGL 3.3 won’t run either.
Since 2021, it has been possible to run Windows 11 on Parallels on ARM Macs, and the OS worked reasonably well, though Microsoft previously stated it had no plans to support new Macs. However, with the company’s recent change in direction, licensing issues have been resolved, and Parallels Desktop 18 now allows users to download and install Windows 11 with ease. Users can now purchase an individual Windows 11 Pro license or use a license provided by their employer.
This may not fully satisfy users who need built-in Windows support, like on Intel-based Macs running Apple Boot Camp, as performance and compatibility won’t match that of a PC designed for Windows on ARM. However, this is possibly the closest collaboration between Apple and Microsoft, and performance issues could be addressed with a specialized app to enhance Windows performance.