Running Parallels M1 with Windows X64

When it comes to running Windows on Apple's M1-powered devices, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. While Parallels Desktop 18 does offer support for Windows on Macs with the Apple M1 SoC, there are certain limitations and requirements that must be met.

One of the key limitations is that hardware that doesn't have ARM drivers will not work seamlessly with Parallels. This includes devices that don't have drivers within the Windows DriverStore or as a separate download. However, DirectX 11 games should theoretically work since many of those calls can be translated to Apple's own Metal API.

It's also important to note that Windows 11 on ARM does not support games that rely on DirectX 12 or OpenGL 3.3 or higher. This means that if you're looking to run more demanding games, you may need to look for alternative solutions.

On a positive note, Parallels Desktop 18 has been officially designated as an authorized solution by Microsoft for running ARM versions of Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Enterprise in a virtual environment on Apple M1 and M2 computers. This means that users can now download Windows 11 on ARM directly from within Parallels Desktop 18 and use their Windows key to activate it.

In the past, Parallels has offered support for Windows on Macs with the Apple M1 SoC since version 16.5, but there was one major catch - users couldn't properly license the ARM versions of Windows. However, with Parallels Desktop 18, Mac users on Apple silicon will be able to download an official Windows 11 on ARM version and run it in a virtual machine (VM).

Overall, while there are some limitations to running Windows on M1-powered devices, Parallels Desktop 18 offers a convenient solution for users who need to run Windows for specific tasks or applications. With its official designation as an authorized solution by Microsoft, users can now enjoy the benefits of running Windows on their Apple devices with greater ease and flexibility.

Parallels m1 windows x64