Microsoft and Parallels partnership enables Windows 11 support on Apple M1 and M2 Macs

According to a new support document released by Microsoft, it is now possible to run ARM-based versions of Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise on M1- and M2-based Macs using Parallels Desktop 18. This is good news for people who need to use Windows for work on their Macs. However, users need to be aware of certain limitations that come with this new feature.

Microsoft provides official support for Windows 11 on Macs with Apple Silicon with limitations

There are several limitations that users should be aware of when running Windows 11 on Macs with Apple Silicon. First, 32-bit ARM apps will not be supported as Microsoft is phasing out this software for all ARM-based Windows builds. Second, users will need Windows 11 ARM drivers for their devices to function properly. Third, other virtualization layers, such as Android apps, the Linux subsystem, and Windows Sandbox, will not be supported. Finally, games that require DirectX 12 or OpenGL 3.3 will not work at all.

Before, it was possible to run an Insider preview of Windows 11 on ARM Macs through Parallels, but now it's officially sanctioned, and users can easily download and install it using Parallels Desktop 18. This will help alleviate licensing concerns for the company, although it's unclear how Microsoft will be affected by the changes.

However, users who want native Windows support like what was available on Intel-based Macs with Boot Camp will not find this news very useful. Nonetheless, this sanctioned approach represents a collaboration between Apple and Microsoft, and it may be a suitable option for users who need to use Windows productivity apps.

Although it won't provide the same performance or compatibility as a PC designed for Windows on ARM, it is the most viable solution for running Windows on ARM-based Macs.