The way to run Windows 11 on a Mac depends on its processor. On an Apple silicon Mac (M1 or later), you run the Arm version of Windows 11 inside a virtual machine such as Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion or UTM. On an older Intel Mac, Boot Camp installs Windows directly, but Apple only officially supports Windows 10 with it. Either way, Windows needs its own licence to activate.
| Your Mac | Best option | Windows version you install | Microsoft-authorised? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple silicon (M-series) | Parallels Desktop | Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise (Arm) | Yes |
| Apple silicon (M-series) | VMware Fusion or UTM | Windows 11 (Arm) | Not on Microsoft's list |
| Any Mac | Windows 365 Cloud PC | Windows 11 streamed from the cloud | Yes |
| Intel Mac | Boot Camp or a VM | Boot Camp officially supports Windows 10 only | No official Windows 11 support |
Can you run Windows 11 on a Mac?
Yes, you can run Windows 11 on most modern Macs, but not natively in the way a PC does. Apple silicon Macs run the Arm edition of Windows 11 inside a virtual machine, while Intel Macs can run it in a virtual machine or, unofficially, through Boot Camp. Microsoft names Parallels Desktop and Windows 365 as authorised ways to do it.
A virtual machine (VM) is a complete computer simulated in software. Windows runs in a window on your Mac desktop, sharing the Mac's processor, memory and storage, and you can switch between macOS and Windows apps without restarting.
Microsoft's support page on options for using Windows 11 on Macs with Apple M-series chips lists two authorised routes: Parallels Desktop running the Arm versions of Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise, and a Windows 365 Cloud PC streamed over the internet.
How do I install Windows 11 on an Apple silicon Mac?
On an M-series Mac, install a virtualisation app such as Parallels Desktop, create a new virtual machine and let it download or install Windows 11 for Arm. Setup takes roughly the same steps as a new PC: choose language, sign in or create an account, then activate with a Windows 11 product key afterwards.
Apple silicon uses the Arm64 instruction set, so you need the Arm build of Windows 11 rather than the usual x64 version. Microsoft publishes it on its Windows 11 for Arm-based PCs download page, and Parallels can fetch it for you during setup.
- Install Parallels Desktop (or your chosen VM app) and open it.
- Choose the option to Get Windows 11 from Microsoft, or point it at a Windows 11 Arm ISO you have downloaded.
- Give the VM enough resources: at least 4 GB of memory and 64 GB of disk space, which match Windows 11's minimum requirements.
- Complete Windows Setup inside the VM, then install the VM app's guest tools (Parallels Tools or VMware Tools) for proper graphics, clipboard sharing and file sharing.
- Run Settings > Windows Update and install all updates before you install your own software.
What we commonly see: people skip the guest tools step and then report a tiny fixed resolution, no shared clipboard or a sluggish mouse. Installing the tools resolves most of these first-hour complaints.
Which virtual machine app should you choose?
Parallels Desktop is the only VM app on Microsoft's authorised list for Apple silicon and has the most polished Mac integration, including "Coherence" mode that shows Windows apps as if they were Mac apps. It is a paid product, with a free trial.
VMware Fusion Pro is now free for personal and commercial use and supports Windows 11 on Arm, although setup is more hands-on. UTM is a free, open-source option that suits technical users but offers less graphics performance and integration.
Will my Windows apps work on Windows 11 for Arm?
Most everyday Windows apps work on Windows 11 for Arm. Native Arm64 apps run at full speed, and Windows translates traditional x64 and x86 programs through its built-in emulation layer, called Prism. The main exceptions are apps that need their own kernel drivers, certain older games and some specialised hardware tools.
Microsoft's own page lists the known limitations when Windows runs in Parallels on an M-series Mac:
- Software that depends on DirectX 12 may not work.
- Nested virtualisation is not supported, so Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), Windows Sandbox and virtualisation-based security (VBS) are unavailable inside the VM.
- 32-bit Arm apps from the Microsoft Store are not supported.
Cause and effect: drivers cannot be emulated the way apps can, so anything that installs a driver, such as some VPN clients, printer utilities, USB hardware dongles and anti-cheat systems in online games, is the most common thing to fail. Check with the software vendor for an Arm64 version before you commit.
If the only reason you want Windows is Microsoft Office, you may not need Windows at all. Office 2024 Home & Business for PC and Mac includes native Mac versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and our Office 2024 vs 2021 comparison explains what changed between versions.
Can I use Boot Camp to install Windows 11 on an Intel Mac?
Boot Camp only works on Intel Macs, and Apple officially supports it for Windows 10 Home and Pro, not Windows 11. Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0, which Intel Macs do not provide, so installing it through Boot Camp relies on unsupported workarounds and may leave you without official drivers or reliable updates.
Apple's Boot Camp Assistant guide still describes installing 64-bit Windows 10 on Intel-based Macs, and explicitly notes that Boot Camp needs an Intel processor. Apple silicon Macs cannot use Boot Camp at all.
Because Windows 10 reached end of support on 14 October 2025, Boot Camp with Windows 10 is no longer a sensible long-term plan. For an Intel Mac, a virtual machine running Windows 11 is usually the more maintainable choice, provided the VM app offers a virtual TPM, which current versions of Parallels and VMware Fusion do.
Advanced nuance: Apple has said macOS Tahoe 26 is the final macOS release for Intel Macs. If your Mac is Intel-based, factor that into how much time and money you invest in a Windows setup on it.
Do I need a licence to run Windows 11 on a Mac?
Yes. Windows 11 in a virtual machine needs its own valid licence, exactly as it would on a PC. Each installation, whether on physical hardware or in a VM, counts as a separate device, so a key already used on your Windows laptop cannot also activate your Mac's VM at the same time.
Windows will install and run unactivated for a while, but you will see an activation watermark and personalisation settings are locked. Microsoft's authorised configuration for Apple silicon names Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise, so a Windows 11 Pro licence key is the most straightforward choice, and Parallels confirms Pro keys work on both Arm and Intel versions of Windows.
A Windows 11 Home key will install on an Intel-based VM, but if you are unsure which edition fits your work, our Windows 11 Pro vs Home guide sets out the differences.
How do I activate Windows 11 in Parallels or another VM?
Activate Windows 11 in a VM the same way as on a PC: open Settings > System > Activation, select Change product key and enter your 25-character key. Windows contacts Microsoft's activation servers over the internet and, once accepted, shows "Windows is activated" with a digital licence.
- Make sure the VM has a working internet connection.
- Open Settings > System > Activation.
- Next to Change product key, select Change.
- Type your product key and select Next, then Activate.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account so the digital licence is linked to it.
If you are moving an existing licence from an old PC or VM, the Parallels activation article describes using Troubleshoot and the "I changed hardware on this device recently" option. Our full Windows 11 Pro install and activation guide walks through the same screens with more detail.
If activation fails after you rebuild a VM, Windows may see it as a hardware change. Our guide to activation error 0x803FA067 explains how to fix that.
How well does Windows 11 perform on a Mac?
On Apple silicon, Windows 11 for Arm in a VM is generally responsive for office work, browsing, development and many business apps. Performance depends mainly on how much memory and how many CPU cores you assign, and on whether the apps you use are native Arm64 or emulated x64.
As a practical starting point, give the VM half your Mac's memory, up to 8 GB for light use, and leave at least 8 GB for macOS. Store the VM on the Mac's internal SSD rather than an external drive.
What we commonly see: slow VMs are usually starved of memory, not processor power. If Windows feels sluggish, raise its memory allocation before changing anything else, and close heavy Mac apps while you work in Windows.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windows 11 on a Mac free?
The virtualisation software can be free, as VMware Fusion and UTM are, but Windows 11 itself still needs a paid licence to activate. You can install and test it unactivated, but you will see a watermark and locked personalisation settings until you enter a valid Windows 11 product key.
Can I use my existing Windows 11 key on my Mac?
Yes, if that key is not in use on another device. A Retail key can usually be moved from an old PC to your Mac's virtual machine after you stop using it there. OEM keys are tied to the original computer and are generally not transferable to a new machine or VM.
Does Windows 11 Home work on an Apple silicon Mac?
Microsoft's authorised configuration for M-series Macs names Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise for Arm, not Home. Many people install Pro for that reason. Pro also adds features useful inside a VM, such as BitLocker, Remote Desktop hosting and Group Policy, which Home does not include.
Can I play Windows games on a Mac with Windows 11?
Some, but not all. Games run through emulation inside the VM, so demanding titles may perform poorly, and games requiring DirectX 12 or kernel-level anti-cheat software often do not run at all. Check each game's compatibility with Windows on Arm and your chosen VM app before buying.
Will Windows 11 on my Mac get updates?
Yes. Windows 11 for Arm in a virtual machine receives updates through Windows Update like any PC, including annual feature updates such as version 26H2. Keep your VM app up to date too, because new Windows releases sometimes need a matching update to the virtualisation software.
Related guides
- Windows 11 Pro: how to download, install and activate
- Windows 11 Pro vs Home: which edition do you need?
- How to check your Windows 11 version and update to 26H2
- Browse Windows 11 licences
Links in this guide
| Link | Type | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 Pro key | Internal | The edition Microsoft authorises for Apple silicon VMs |
| Windows 11 Home key | Internal | Option for basic Intel-Mac VM use |
| Office 2024 Home & Business (PC/Mac) | Internal | Native Mac Office if you only need Office apps |
| Windows 11 Pro vs Home | Internal | Helps you pick the right edition |
| Windows 11 Pro install guide | Internal | Detailed activation walkthrough |
| Microsoft: Windows 11 on M-series Macs | External | Official authorised options and limitations |
| Windows 11 for Arm download | External | Official Arm64 installation media |
| Apple: Boot Camp Assistant | External | Apple's supported Boot Camp configuration |
| Parallels: activate Windows 11 | External | Activation steps inside Parallels Desktop |