Running Windows 11 on a Mac: What You Need to Know

Are you considering running Windows 11 on your Mac? With the release of Arm-based Apple M1 and M2 chips, this has become increasingly popular. However, there are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to using Windows 11 on a Mac.

32-bit Arm Apps Not Supported

One key limitation is that 32-bit Arm apps available from the Store in Windows are not supported by Mac computers with M1 and M2 chips. This means that you may need to look for alternative versions of your favorite apps or wait for them to be updated to support Arm architecture.

Other Features Not Supported

Additionally, Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), DirectX 12, and OpenGLES are not supported on Mac computers with M1 and M2 chips. This can impact your ability to use certain hardware, games, and apps that rely on these features. For example, Windows Sandbox, a lightweight desktop environment for safely running applications in isolation, is also not supported.

Parallels Desktop: An Authorized Solution

Fortunately, Parallels Desktop version 18 is an authorized solution for running Arm versions of Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise in a virtual environment on Apple M1 and M2 computers. This means that you can still use Windows 11 on your Mac with this software.

Windows 365: A Cloud-Based Solution

Another option to consider is Windows 365, a cloud-based service that allows you to stream your full, personalized Windows 11 experience to many devices, including Mac computers built with M-series processors. With Windows 365, you can choose from a variety of pricing options and Cloud PC configurations based on your performance needs.

While there are some limitations to running Windows 11 on a Mac, there are still several ways to make it work. Whether you choose Parallels Desktop or Windows 365, you can enjoy the best of both worlds and use Windows 11 on your Mac.

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