Installing SQL Server 2019 on a MacBook Pro M1 with Parallels Windows 10

As I've been exploring the capabilities of my new MacBook Pro M1, I've been eager to test its limits by installing various software. One of my primary concerns was setting up a Windows environment using Parallels, specifically with SQL Server 2019.

My Environment Setup

To start, I've got a MacBook Pro 16” with the following specifications:

* macOS Monterey 12.1 (updated as of January 10th, 2022)

* Total Number of Cores: 10 (8 performance and 2 efficiency)

* Apple M1 Max Chip

* 64GB RAM

* 2021 Model

I downloaded Windows 11 Pro, which is the ARM-based version compatible with my MacBook Pro M1.

Challenges Installing SQL Server 2019

After numerous attempts to install SQL Server 2019 (Express or Standard), I faced a significant issue. Despite having successfully installed SQL Server for many customers globally, it wouldn't work on my Parallels Windows 10 environment.

I tried various versions of SQL Server, including:

* SQL Server 2019 Developer version

* SQL Server 2017 Express Version

* SQL Server 2017 Developer version

* SQL Server 2016 with SP2

Each attempt resulted in a different error or issue. I had to manually add start parameters and adjust permissions, but nothing seemed to work.

Observations and Recommendations

Based on my experience, it appears that the installation process for SQL Server 2019 is not well-tested on M1 MacBook Pro models. The ARM-based Windows 11 Pro may be a contributing factor to this issue.

If you're facing similar challenges, I recommend exploring alternative solutions or seeking support from Microsoft or Parallels. It's possible that the current environment is not optimized for SQL Server installation.

In conclusion, while my new MacBook Pro M1 has impressive capabilities, installing SQL Server 2019 on it with Parallels Windows 10 proved to be a daunting task. I'm eager to find a solution and will continue exploring options to make this work seamlessly.

M1 mac parallels windows 10