How to install Windows 11 on a Mac – IT PRO

Apple and Microsoft may have once seemed like two kids vying for attention, pitting their flagship macOS and Windows operating systems against each other for decades. Indeed, the two tech giants have had a significant rivalry, exemplified by the infamous TV spot nearly 20 years ago.

However, not everyone has to choose between the two. There are, after all, several ways to install Windows on a Mac. There are a number of reasons why someone would want to upgrade to Windows 11, but, for Mac users, it’s not an easy process and is not recommended for first-time users, or those who are using a managed device with heavy restrictions.

What are the benefits of installing Windows on a Mac?

The main reason to install Windows on a Mac is to combine the capabilities of both systems. Some industries use tools that only work on one framework rather than the other. The industry-standard Qlab theater software, for example, is only available on macOS. Maybe you’re a video editor or music producer who can’t stand to part ways with Final Cut Pro and Logic, but also wants to live in the Windows ecosystem. Many also prefer using Adobe’s suite of creative apps on M1-powered macOS devices, but prefer the Windows 11 user interface (UI).

Although Windows stopped accepting app exclusivity requests in 2020, there are still a few good reasons to stick with Microsoft on your machine, including easier integration of tools like Remote Desktop, if you use your Mac away from your Windows. – office based. There are also a handful of handy Windows 11 tips and tricks that IT pros can take advantage of.

The third reason is that developers can use a dual-OS system to test apps natively. With the endless coding hassles that come with app development, being able to replicate the problem with the machine in your own hands can reduce stress and increase production and testing speed.

With the integration of macOS on Windows machines – otherwise known as Hackintosh – fraught with challenges, installing Windows on a Mac is still the way to go. However, this may vary depending on your specific Mac architecture.

How to prepare your Mac for Windows 11

1. Determine which variant of Mac you have

Apple machines were, until recently, powered by Intel chips before Apple produced its own line of processors, first with the M1 and now the M2. To find out which edition you have, click the little Apple logo in the upper left corner of your screen and open About This Mac. The windows will then show your machine’s CPU under Processor.

2. Check if your Mac is compatible with Windows 11

Next, you need to make sure your macOS system can run Windows 11 before diving into the installation process. Microsoft’s latest flagship operating system has enhanced security features, including Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and secure boot requirements, which can be challenging for Apple machines.

A handful of macOS devices, despite being almost a decade old, can’t even run the new Chrome Flex OS, which is much lighter than a Windows 11 install.

Most experts suggest using tools like Parallels to install an additional operating system, regardless of your machine’s architecture, due to the ability to run both installations at the same time. Using other tools with previous versions of Windows, like Boot Camp with Windows 10, means you have to restart your computer every time you want to switch operating systems.

3. Make sure you meet the following conditions

There are a number of additional requirements that you need to ensure you have met in order to proceed with installing Windows 11 on your macOS device.

First, no matter what machine you’re installing Windows 11 on, you’ll need a Windows 11 license. Make sure you’ve purchased one or that your organization has given you access to a legitimate license.

Parallels recommended installing Windows 11 on Arm-based M1 and M2 machines. Although it can also be used on Intel x86 machines, it cannot be used to install Windows on Macs with x64 chips. For complete compatibility information, Parallels has provided a detailed breakdown. Parallels also runs both systems simultaneously, which means more load on your machine. Older hardware can become overloaded and struggle to cope.

Finally, beware of workarounds that mention a custom ISO to circumvent the need for TPM 2.0 compatibility. As with the multitude of issues that can arise when trying to install Apple software on a PC, things like system updates can disrupt your post-installation experience.

Install Windows 11 on a Mac Using Parallels

Parallels creates a virtualized Windows machine that you run from your Mac. Instead of hitting the chip-based bottleneck in the form of TPM 2.0, Parallels creates a digital chip for you. The full guide to installing Parallels on Intel systems is here, while the full guide to installing Parallels on M1-based systems is here. Prices are also available on the site.

First, you need to install Parallels Desktop. Next, navigate to Control Center and then to the Get Windows 11 from Microsoft tab. From there, follow the installation instructions and accept Microsoft’s user agreement. To install Windows 11 outside of this automatic workflow, you need to download an ISO image which is then imported into the software through the Control Center. In terms of compatibility, the Parallels team says that most apps that worked for Windows 10’s arm-based OS will likely work on Windows 11, as they’re basically similar, but – as always with software – there is no guarantee.

Installing Windows 11 on Mac Using Boot Camp

Another method of installing Windows on a Mac is to use Boot Camp, a free utility that allows you to load either operating system at startup and switch between the two when your computer restarts. machine. However, Boot Camp is not supported on Apple machines with an M1 or M2 chip.

However, you can still install Windows 11 on older Mac devices with Intel processors. Apple has designed a set of guidelines you can follow to install Windows 10 on older Mac devices, although users are recommended to upgrade to Windows 11 whenever possible.