- Microsoft won’t support Windows 11 on Apple’s Mac with M1 chips.
- You may not be able to use Parallels software to create a virtual machine.
If you are a Mac user and were planning to run Windows 11 on your Apple’s M1 device, think again because Microsoft has confirmed that it won’t support the scenario.
According to a new report from The Register, a Microsoft spokesperson said that running the ARM version of Windows 11 on the Macs using the M1 processor is not a “supported scenario.” This means that you won’t be able to use Parallels virtualization software to create a virtual machine of Windows 11.
During the early development of Windows 11, M1 devices with Parallels were able to run the new OS, but only through the Windows Insider Program. However, shortly after, Microsoft made it clear that only supported hardware configurations would be able to continue installing builds of the new Windows. You could technically install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, but the company won’t provide support, nor will the device receive updates and future upgrades.
Although Parallels software can handle Windows 11, recent previews of the OS have begun to show hardware compatibility errors making the solution unreliable. The virtualization software company has released a patch to address the issue, but it’s unclear if the solution will produce other problems down the road.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].