Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, and it’s available for download now. If you have a Mac, you can install Windows 11 on it using virtualization software. This allows you to run Windows 11 alongside macOS, so you can switch between the two operating systems whenever you need to.
There are two main ways to install Windows 11 on a Mac:
- Using Parallels Desktop: Parallels Desktop is a commercial virtualization software that allows you to run Windows on a Mac. It’s the most popular and well-supported virtualization software for Mac, and it’s relatively easy to use.
- Using UTM: UTM is a free and open-source virtualization software that allows you to run Windows on a Mac. It’s not as well-supported as Parallels Desktop, but it’s a good option if you’re on a budget.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to install Windows 11 on a Mac using Parallels Desktop 18.
Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have the following:
- A Mac with macOS 12 or later installed.
- A copy of the Windows 11 ISO file. You can download the ISO file from the Microsoft website.
- At least 64GB of free disk space on your Mac.
- Parallels Desktop 18 installed on your Mac.
Installing Windows 11 on a Mac using Parallels Desktop 18
- Open Parallels Desktop 18.
- Click the + button in the top right corner of the window to create a new virtual machine.
- Select the Windows 11 option from the list of operating systems.
- Click Continue.
- Select the Install Windows from a DVD or image file option.
- Click Choose File and select the Windows 11 ISO file that you downloaded earlier.
- Click Continue.
- Select the amount of disk space that you want to allocate to the Windows 11 virtual machine.
- Click Continue.
- Parallels Desktop will now start installing Windows 11. This process may take a few minutes.
- Once Windows 11 is installed, you will need to follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.
Running Windows 11 on a Mac
Once Windows 11 is installed, you can launch it from Parallels Desktop. To do this, simply double-click on the Windows 11 virtual machine in the Parallels Desktop window.
You can switch between macOS and Windows 11 by clicking on the Parallels Desktop icon in the Mac menu bar and selecting the operating system that you want to run.
Tips for using Windows 11 on a Mac
Here are a few tips for using Windows 11 on a Mac:
- Make sure that you have enough RAM allocated to the Windows 11 virtual machine. Windows 11 recommends at least 4GB of RAM, but it’s a good idea to allocate more RAM if you can.
- If you’re using a MacBook, you can use the Touch Bar to control Windows 11. To do this, click on the Parallels Desktop icon in the Mac menu bar and select View > Touch Bar.
- You can also use the Parallels Desktop Coherence mode to hide the Parallels Desktop window and run Windows 11 in a window on your Mac desktop. To do this, click on the Parallels Desktop icon in the Mac menu bar and select View > Coherence.
Conclusion
Installing Windows 11 on a Mac is a great way to run Windows 11 alongside macOS. This allows you to switch between the two operating systems whenever you need to, so you can use the best operating system for the task at hand.
If you’re looking for a way to install Windows 11 on your Mac, I recommend using Parallels Desktop 18. It’s the most popular and well-supported virtualization software for Mac, and it’s relatively easy to use.