Microsoft is officially allowing Windows 11 ARM in Parallels, a less efficient solution than through Boot Camp, but which already exists.
Microsoft has officially approved a way to run Windows 11 on Macs with an ARM chip, but not in the way you might think. In a new support article, the Redmond-based firm “cleared”Parallels Desktop 18 to run ARM versions of Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise on Macs with M1 or M2 chips. If you need Windows to work, you can easily do it through a virtual machine.
Microsoft officially allows Windows 11 ARM in Parallels
As you can imagine, there are limits. Thus, it is not possible to run 32-bit ARM applications, in part because Microsoft discourages 32-bit software in all of its versions of Windows ARM. Accessories also don’t work if they don’t have Windows 11 ARM drivers. You cannot use anything that depends on another virtualization layer, such as Android apps, the Linux subsystem, and the Windows sandbox. Some games may not work as anything that requires DirectX 12 or OpenGL 3.3 or later is not compatible.
Since 2021, it has been possible to run Windows 11 in Parallels on ARM Macs, and even quite well. However, this required the use of an Insider preview OS, and Microsoft stated at the time that it did not intend to officially support the new Macs. This announcement puts an end to the often embarrassing licensing issue, and Parallels Desktop 18 makes it easy to download and install Windows 11.
Less efficient solution than Boot Camp, but with an advantage
As The Verge explains, no one really knows how Microsoft has evolved licensing — until now, it has only offered licenses for ARM versions of Windows to PC resellers. Parallels explains that you can purchase an individual license for Windows 11 Pro or go through the normal employer purchase process.
However, this will not satisfy users who need built-in support for Windows, as they were able to get with Intel Macs and Apple’s Boot Camp app. You also won’t have the performance or compatibility that a Windows PC for ARM would have. But it’s probably the best you can ever have in terms of how Apple and Microsoft work together, and it might be enough if you absolutely need a Windows app on your Mac.