Windows 11 ARM simply means that Windows 11 has been adapted to work on ARM processors. Unlike the x86 chips offered by Intel and AMD.
In 2017, Microsoft started offering Windows 10 to ARM processors. Windows 10 has no longer been offered for ARM processors since the end of 2021. You can no longer create a Windows 10 ARM virtual machine for Mac in Parallels desktop.
If you use Parallels desktop, you do not need to disconnect ISO file for Windows 11 ARM to download. You can choose to install Windows 11 ARM from the installation assistant. The entire installation process is then carried out completely automatically, except for activation.
Activating Windows 11 ARM is basically the same as Windows 10. You have a license code needed for Windows 11 specifically or you can use a Use Windows 10 license.
Install Windows 11 ARM in Parallels desktop for Mac M1
To begin download Parallels desktop to your Mac. Install Parallels desktop by dragging the app to the Apps folder.
If you have installed Parallels desktop, click on “File” in the menu and then on “New” to create a new Windows 11 ARM virtual machine.
In the installation assistant you will see a message:
Your Mac computer is powered by the Apple M series chip built on ARM architecture. This new platform has the following limitations:
- Existing virtual machines created on Intel-based Mac computers cannot run on Macs with the M-series chip.
- It is not possible to create a new virtual machine using an Intel x86-based operating system installer.
One of these Mac computers, Parallels desktop, uses a new virtualization engine. To create a virtual machine, you need a VHDX or ISO image with an ARM-based operating system.
Click Continue to continue with Windows 11 ARM.
There is no need to download a Windows 11 ARM ISO file. If you have one you can, but it is easier to have Parallels desktop Windows 11 ARM downloaded from Microsoft.
Select the option “Get Windows 11 from Microsoft” and click “Continue”.
By default, Windows 11 ARM Home edition is downloaded and installed. If you want to install a different edition of Windows 11 ARM, first click on the “Choose edition” button and then select the Windows 11 ARM edition from the list. You can choose from Windows 11 home, professional or education.
Once you have made your choice, click on the “Install Windows 11” button.
To work with Windows programs, you must first install Windows on your Mac. Use this assistant to install Windows 11. If you already have Windows installed or want to use another operating system, you can skip this step.
The latest version of Windows 11 ARM is now downloading from Microsoft to your Mac. This won't take long.
After downloading, Windows 11 ARM will be installed. This also does not take long due to the M1 chip. When the installation is complete you will see the message “Installation complete”.
After installation, you may immediately notice that Windows 11 ARM is installed in the English language. That's because the ARM installation ISO is downloaded from Microsoft in the English language.
After installation, you can make the following adjustments to set up and activate Windows 11 ARM in Dutch.
You can also change settings in Parallels to customize the Windows 11 ARM virtual machine to your liking.
To adjust the settings of the Windows 11 ARM virtual machine, click the gear icon in the top right corner.
You can change the options. These are options related to how Parallels shares desktop files and apps with Windows 11 ARM. You can also change various options for how the virtual machine handles power and sleep mode.
If you click on the hardware tab, you can change processors, add memory, change graphics settings and connect USB peripherals, etc. to the virtual machine. Most default hardware settings are set to the best settings specific to your Mac.
I hope this has introduced you to Parallels desktop and installing an ARM-based Windows 11 operating system. Thank you for reading!
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