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How To Install Windows 11 On Mac: The main reason to install Windows 11 on Mac is to use both systems’ features at the same time. Some industries use tools that only work on one framework and not the other. For example, the standard software for the theatre industry, Qlab, is only available for macOS. Apple and Microsoft used to seem like two kids fighting over attention when they put their best operating systems, macOS and Windows, against each other for decades.
In point of fact, the two IT giants have been engaged in a significant competition, as evidenced by the well-known television commercial that was broadcast nearly twenty years ago. However, not everyone is required to choose between the two options. After all, there are a few different methods that Windows can be installed on a Mac.
For Mac users, upgrading to Windows 11 is not an easy task, and it is not suggested for novice users or those who are using a controlled device with a lot of restrictions. However, there are numerous reasons why someone would want to switch to Windows 11. Should you be interested in acquiring any information regarding this matter, you may go to the official website of Microsoft and make a request for additional information. Here are the steps how To Install Windows 11 On Mac.
What Is Parallels Desktop?
There are a few workarounds, but neither Apple nor Microsoft officially allow using the Boot Camp feature in macOS to boot directly into Windows 11. You can run Windows 11 and macOS together in a window thanks to virtualization, but it will slow down and drain your battery faster. Remember that not all PC apps will work with Windows on ARM, which is a version of Windows built for ARM64 machines like Apple silicon Macs. One of the best virtualization systems for running a second OS (like Windows or Linux) inside the current one is Parallels Desktop.
Parallels does this by using something called a “virtual machine” to pretend to be a whole computer system. Back in February 2023, Microsoft said that Parallels Desktop 18.1 would officially support Windows emulation on ARM. It lets you safely use the ARM version of Windows 11 on Apple silicon Macs and regular Windows versions on Intel-based Macs, since Microsoft has given the green light for this approach from a licencing point of view.
How To Install Windows 11 On Mac
- Get your Mac ready by making sure it meets the system needs for Windows 11.
- Go to the official Microsoft website and get the Windows 11 ISO file.
- On your Mac, open Boot Camp Assistant.
- To make a Windows section on your Mac’s hard drive, follow the steps shown on the screen.
- Put in a USB flash drive to make a Windows installation disc.
- Choose the ISO file for Windows 11 and put it on the USB drive.
- Turn your Mac back on and hold down the Option key to get to the startup menu.
- Pick out the Windows installation disc and follow the on-screen instructions to set up Windows 11.
- Finish setting up Windows, which includes making a user account.
- Install the Boot Camp drivers so that your gear works best on Windows.
System Requirements for Installing Windows 11 on Mac
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC) |
| RAM | 4 GB or greater |
| Storage | 64 GB or larger storage device |
| System firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| TPM | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 (may be bypassed with workarounds) |
| Graphics card | Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver |
Benefits of Running Windows 11 on a Mac
- Compatibility: Windows 11 lets you run programmes and apps that may only work with the Windows operating system. This means that it works with a wider range of programmes.
- apps Availability: Some games and apps are made to work only with Windows. As long as you run Windows 11 on your Mac, you can use more apps and games that might not be available on macOS.
- Working and getting things done: If you need to use Windows-only programmes for work or getting things done, installing Windows 11 on your Mac lets you switch between macOS and Windows without using any extra hardware.
- Testing and Development: Software testers need to check their work on many systems. Developers can test their apps on a Windows environment without having to use a different Windows machine when they run Windows 11 on a Mac.
- Gaming: A lot of people play games on Windows, and some games may work better on Windows or only work on Windows. By installing Windows 11 on a Mac, you can play more games and maybe even get better speed while playing games.
- Training and Education: Some training or education programmes may work better on Windows. Students and workers can easily use these programmes when Windows 11 is installed on a Mac.
- Integrating across platforms: Users can get the most out of both macOS and Windows by running them on the same Mac. It’s easy to switch between the two settings, based on what you need.
Configuring Windows 11 Settings for Mac Compatibility
- Install Boot Camp: Begin by installing Boot Camp, which is a utility provided by Apple for running Windows on a Mac.
- Update Boot Camp Drivers: After installing Boot Camp, make sure to update the Boot Camp drivers to the latest version. This ensures proper hardware support for Mac components.
- Adjust Display Settings: Go to the Display settings to optimize the screen resolution and adjust scaling for a comfortable viewing experience.
- Configure Trackpad and Mouse: In the Mouse and Trackpad settings, customize the behavior to match your preferences. Adjust sensitivity and scrolling options for a smoother experience.
- Set Up Keyboard Shortcuts: Customize keyboard shortcuts to align with your familiarity and optimize productivity.
- Manage Storage: Use the Storage settings to allocate sufficient space for Windows, taking into account the dual operating systems.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that macOS is one of the best operating systems in the world. It’s fast, reliable, and easy to start using. However, it’s still far from perfect. There are many features that are exclusive to other operating systems like Windows.
What makes the Mac such a great computer is that you can actually run Windows 11 without breaking a sweat. There are actually two methods you can use; which one to choose will depend on your current Mac hardware. Here’s everything you need to know.
Questions and Answers
The only way to run Windows on a Mac M1 or M2 is with the use of virtualization software or software. There were a number of extremely good options for virtualization tools that were accessible for Intel Mac computers; however, not many of these options are still available today, in part because of the difficulties associated with switching to a different architecture.
Customers of Apple M1 and M2 Macs will now be able to run Arm versions of Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Enterprise in a virtual environment on Microsoft’s platform thanks to a collaboration between Microsoft and Parallels.
On your Mac, you can use the Parallels application to install and run Windows 11, if that is something you are interested in doing. Parallels is a legitimate solution for running Windows 11 on Apple hardware, and it is officially sanctioned by Microsoft. Parallels may be downloaded immediately from the Mac App Store without any further steps.
In spite of this, there is a plethora of high-quality commercial software available for Macs, and Windows actually offers a greater variety of possibilities in certain creative domains, such as software for editing photos and videos. Additionally, Windows 11 includes the capability to run apps that are associated with Linux as well as Android through the use of built-in subsystems.