SQL and Windows Programs Working Now In 2026?

[loon3y]

I have an Intel Mac, theres been issues with SQL on silicon Mac’s. Usually I would need SQL via parallels for test databases or demo databases (although we are doing demos via our cloud server now and going towards the cloud)


But is there any limitations? Our ERP program built by Powerbuilder also had issue sometimes with silicon Mac’s.


I think with the latest Windows 11 update our ERP program is ok. But I dont believe we can install SQL on Silicon Mac’s no matter what Windows OS (home, professional, server, etc) we use on a VM (im using parallels)


Does anyone know a solution or if they think it’ll ever be resolved? It’s preventing me from getting a new MacBook. Sometimes I need to hot install our scan and pack or trade show/POS apps for our clients so I need a MACOS for that.

 

[keksikuningas]

I assume you are talking about Microsoft SQL here when you talk about "installing SQL"? I remember running it through docker back in 2020 when I had to work remote and company i was interning at didn't provide a windows laptop. that was fun...

Docker supports running x86_64 images through Rosetta 2 on Apple Silicon but I am not sure what will happen to that once Rosetta 2 is sunsetted (it will be left only for games, but I am not sure how that is implemented).

I would link a guide from Microsoft but it operates on assumptions that the reader is already familiar with Docker and other tools.

https://sqlblog.org/2023/03/03/sql-server-apple-silicon

this looks like a good guide though

But I dont believe we can install SQL on Silicon Mac’s no matter what Windows OS (home, professional, server, etc) we use on a VM (im using parallels)

why do you "believe" that? Have you tried it? I assume you are skeptical about ARM windows being able to run SQL server?

 

[Slartibart]

to add to @keksikuningas: here are additional insights to run Microsoft‘s Arm64-native Azure SQL Edge.