Parallels for Apple Silicon Macs Now Supports Windows 11 Pro

[MaxBurn]

I have not researched this but how restrictive is the ARM version of windows? Do all the third party app I use need to be ARM too? If so it's useless to me.

I specifically just picked up a intel MBP so I could run "normal" windows in a VM and have access to everything I'm used to working with.

 

[Valen1]

Virtualization software Parallels for Mac now supports Windows 11 Pro on Apple silicon machines, as Microsoft is now officially allowing the app to use the Arm-based version of Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Enterprise.

Apple silicon Mac users can access the Windows 11 platform on their machines using Parallels, and as it is an authorized solution from Microsoft, IT administrators can install the Arm-based version of Windows 11 on employee Macs.

Parallels is well-known virtualization software that allows Windows apps and desktops to be used on Mac machines. Apple used to have its own Boot Camp solution, but Boot Camp is not available on Apple silicon Macs, leaving virtualization software as the only option for Mac owners who need to access Windows content.

Parallels Desktop for Mac is optimized for Apple silicon Macs that include the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Studio. The standard version of Parallels Desktop for home use is priced at $100, with upgrade pricing available as well.

Article Link: Parallels for Apple Silicon Macs Now Supports Windows 11 Pro

VMware Fusion does the same and VMware Fusion is FREE for personal use. No subscription.

 

[xraydoc]

I wonder if the “release” version runs any faster than the insider preview versions. And I wonder if there’s a way to migrate a preview Win11 install to the release version. I’m running some recent version of Win11 preview on Parallels. Runs ok. Won’t win any races, but isn’t awful.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

I know folks want BootCamp, but I really don't understand why. Sure it allows tapping into the full power of the hardware, but that was mostly needed for gaming and other resource intensive applications. Those apps generally don't run or completely suck on Windows ARM!

So my question is, what would BootCamp enable for y'all that can't be done effectively in a VM?

Okay first: Easier dualbooting of Linux distros. As it stands without Boot Camp, the only Linux distro that can be dualbooted on Apple Silicon Macs is Asahi Linux, and that's only because Asahi uses some trickery to get macOS to allow it to dualboot.

Secondly, there's a lot of enterprise software that can only run on Windows. In the federal government we have a lot of that software so our executives who have Macs they have Windows dualbooted on said Macs so they can switch to Windows when certain work software needs to run

Thirdly, why not? Boot Camp is a feature on Intel Macs so why can't the Apple Silicon Macs have it too?

 

[chucker23n1]

I have not researched this but how restrictive is the ARM version of windows? Do all the third party app I use need to be ARM too? If so it's useless to me.

No. Windows 11 on ARM includes x86 and x64 emulators.

I wonder if the “release” version runs any faster than the insider preview versions.

No. This is a licensing change, not a technical change.

 

[xraydoc]

I have not researched this but how restrictive is the ARM version of windows? Do all the third party app I use need to be ARM too? If so it's useless to me.

I specifically just picked up an intel MBP so I could run "normal" windows in a VM and have access to everything I'm used to working with.

Depends on what you need. I periodically need access to the Windows version of Office (specifically PowerPoint) to ensure certain mission-critical slide decks look perfect on Windows as well as the macOS version. There’s often something minor that needs tweaking (font size, special characters, image centering).

 

[mikeyy00]

This is pretty nice, but until we see Boot Camp make a come back, modern Macs don’t have the same utility for a lot of people as the old Intel ones.

Why? Other than not running DX12 games, The ARM VM has run everything else I've thrown at it.

 

[KPOM]

It’s good that Parallels support is now official, as it means enterprises can continue to deploy Macs and virtualize Windows. It also shows support for the ARM platform.

 

[antibolo]

I've been using this for months. I installed the image directly from Parallels after I installed parallels desktop. I assumed it was the release version.

View attachment 2159749

You thought Microsoft would just let you use Windows for free?

 

[chucker23n1]

Okay first: Easier dualbooting of Linux distros. As it stands without Boot Camp, the only Linux distro that can be dualbooted on Apple Silicon Macs is Asahi Linux, and that's only because Asahi uses some trickery to get macOS to allow it to dualboot.

There's no "trickery"; Asahi is doing it how Apple wants them to.

I guess a hypothetical Boot Camp might enable a smoother flow, though.

Secondly, there's a lot of enterprise software that can only run on Windows.

Yes, but you can already do that in Parallels. The question is specifically why you would need to run that software natively rather than in a VM.

Thirdly, why not? Boot Camp is a feature on Intel Macs so why can't the Apple Silicon Macs have it too?

Because it's a lot less valuable now.

 

[antibolo]

While this is great news, I do wish they'd be at least some work going on in getting Proton to macOS. Still absurd to me that Macs are completely getting left behind with this.

Crossover already works on ARM but is still mostly worthless with games.

 

[Bustycat]

You thought Microsoft would just let you use Windows for free?

Then give us the option to buy.

 

[antibolo]

Then give us the option to buy.

This is exactly what this change provides.

 

[JohannesO]

I run Window Windows for ARM via Parallels and was too lazy until now to walk through the unusual process to install Microsoft Office (what is that called now?) on that. Has that become easier now?

 

[jbellanca]

Not gonna pay them $100 a year when I can use UTM to do the same **** for free and better

How have I never heard of UTM before?! Thanks for this!

 

[KPOM]

I have not researched this but how restrictive is the ARM version of windows? Do all the third party app I use need to be ARM too? If so it's useless to me.

I specifically just picked up an intel MBP so I could run "normal" windows in a VM and have access to everything I'm used to working with.

It can run most but not all x86 (32-bit and 64-bit) applications. Some run better than others, as Microsoft’s translation layer is not as efficient as Rosetta 2.

 

[david0128]

You thought Microsoft would just let you use Windows for free?

I installed the image and licenced the pro version by moving the licence key from another machine with my Microsoft account. That’s not free is it?

 

[twolf2919]

Can some kind soul explain to me whether native x86 Windows apps will work under Windows 11 for ARM? I've been keeping around my old x86 Mac with Parallels because I need to use TurboTax Business - and Intuit - shame on them - never even ported it to x86 macOS, much less the Mx based Macs. Every year around March I get the 'privilege' of buying TT for Business for Windows to do business taxes :-(

I guess what I'm asking is whether Microsoft has Rosetta-like emulation built into its ARM Windows that'll let x86 apps run on it? I don't need performance - entering taxes doesn't take a lot of CPU - but it has to work flawlessly. If it does, maybe I can finally retire my x86 Mac and move my Parallels license over to my Mx mac.

 

[Xenomorph]

I've been running Windows 11 on my Mac since it became available. Things like Microsoft Office (the "REAL" Microsoft Office) and a few other things I use need Windows (or work better on Windows) - even silly things like Rufus work better than any similar tool for other operating systems.

I'm glad the configuration is finally officially supported by Microsoft.

 

[MSKenyon]

Let’s go! About time we got official support. Glad to see Microsoft has finally opened up.

Now a Mac Studio looks really, REALLY tempting for my needs…

This is what I was waiting for! M3 pro, here I come.

 

[mikeyy00]

It can run most but not all x86 (32-bit and 64-bit) applications. Some run better than others, as Microsoft’s translation layer is not as efficient as Rosetta 2.

Their 32 bit translation is far far better than Apples.

 

[xdmys]

I installed the image and licenced the pro version by moving the licence key from another machine with my Microsoft account. That’s not free is it?

you can buy keys from sus stores for like $10.00 if u really have the ocd to activate windows

 

[mikeyy00]

you can buy keys from sus stores for like $10.00 if u really have the ocd to activate windows

Fun fact, you can activate 11 Pro ARM with ANY Pro key. Yes, even old Win7 OEM keys you can easily find on auction sites.. cough cough.

 

[KPOM]

Their 32 bit translation is far far better than Apples.

Apple doesn’t support 32-bit translation at all, which is intentional.

 

[mikeyy00]

D

Apple doesn’t support 32-bit translation at all, which is intentional.

Ding ding. But even running 32bit stuff via something like Crossover has a bad performance penalty due to some bug in Rosetta.

This doesn't appear to have the same issue under Windows ARM.

I hate Microsoft for a multitude of reasons. However, they deserve full credit for their x86/64 -> Arm translation. It's shockingly good.

Only two things that do not work at all are DX12 (Metal is missing the features to allow that) and x86 drivers will not work in ARM Windows (since they're written for a specific architecture and MS's emulator doesn't touch them).