Win11 (ARM) experience on Apple Silicon Macs with Parallels

[whwang]

Hi,

I wonder what's people experience running intel-version of Windows apps on Win11 ARM through Parallels on Apple Silicon Macs, particularly on hardware and drivers.

The background is that I have a few intel Macs, on which I run Win7 or Win11 occasionally. I don't use Windows often enough to justify a PC, so I do in on my Macs through Parallels. Although not very often, the usage is essential, so I can't simply give it up. Now some of my older intel Macs start to show its age and they are no longer supported by Apple. So I need to seriously think about an M1 or M2 replacement.

I know the ARM Windows has an intel simulator so intel-version of Windows apps can be installed. People here seem to have no problems at all running those intel Windows apps on Windows ARM + Parallels on M1/M2. But how about drivers and hardware? Do people find they are also fine? I have a bunches of USB devices. Do I need to worry about not being able to use those hardware under ARM Windows on M1/M2?

 

[gank41]

Hi,

I’m running Parallels on a 2020 M1 MBP with Ventura. I’ve been using Parallels on this MBP since the initial tech preview supporting AS. Prior to using this M1 machine, I was using a 2015 MBP.
I mainly use Windows for music apps like Magix (Formerly Sony) ACID Pro and CD Architect, along with Cubase, for music recording and editing. Cubase uses a USB eLicenser, works just fine. Of note, ACID Pro was installed via CD ROM using a connected USB Apple SuperDrive, all that was from 2018, years before all of this was introduced let alone expected to work. For Hardware, I’m using a Focusrite 18i8

Not heavy on any graphics usage, but when I’m using any of these apps, it feels no different to me than when I was running them in BootCamp on my 2015 machine. Obviously I’d love to be doing this all in BootCamp on my M1 machine, but considering that’s not possible, I’m very happy with where things are at.

 

[MikeDr206]

I’m running Windows 11 on my M1 MBA via Parallels for Quicken and a legacy client app. Both work just fine.

 

[Darkseth]

Not using any graphic Applications either here.
But i needed it for SAP S/4 Hana (didn't used it much, but it installed and worked).
Also, some Business Intelligence Applications like Microsoft SQL Server Data Tools, SQL Server Management Studio, BI Modeller, PowerBI.
They all worked perfectly fine. Even more than fine. BI Modeller (a Java Application that needs Java Runtime to install) didn't want to start on my Windows Machine. On M1 Mac with Parallels np.
Also, a DS Emulator and a Tool that flashes/tweaks a Rom-file also worked absolutely fine.

Aside from that, the OS itself runs fine, no graphical glitches, no scaling issues, it's like absolute perfection.

I can't say this about the Linux Distros, that are offered by Parallels. Ubuntu kinda doesn't want to update to newest Version, also throws some errors with updating.
Fedora works fine, but scrolls way too fast. Idk how to fix that.


Performance wise: Geekbench 5 is like 4500 points~ inside Windows 11 ARM VM and around 1500 Single Core Points, which is basicly almost a 11th Gen Tiger Lake Windows Laptop natively. And that's because Parallels only allows to alocate 4 Cores to the VM - probably the 4 P-Cores.
It's still like 2700 Multicore Points when using Low Power Mode, which caps the M1 Chip at 4 Watt.

Idk about hardware,but i just tried to plug in a USB Stick. It let me chose if i want to allow MacOS to access it, or Windows. Both worked.
But Windows can also access many MacOS Folders like "Downloads", which is a shared Folder.

With Mice, Keyboards etc, i guess there won't be any issues.

 

[CanyonsLogos]

I recently started using Win 11 on apple silicon for the first time (M2 MBA). Parallels downloaded Win 11 arm64 with no windows insider registration needed. Like everyone else I’m almost exclusively using x86 apps and they have worked flawlessly, I’m even throwing some older steam/origin games in the mix. I did have to ‘troubleshoot’ my Win 10 pro license to successfully activate windows.

 

[BanditoB]

I also use Parallels and Windows 11 and have had great success and everything that I've tried so far has worked just fine.

@whwang - What types of USB devices do you use? If they are strictly interface via USB, I don't think you'll have any problems. If they require a driver, as long as there is a Windows driver available, they should also work.

 

[whwang]

Thanks, everyone. It looks like ARM Windows on M1/M2 is feasible.

I also use Parallels and Windows 11 and have had great success and everything that I've tried so far has worked just fine.

@whwang - What types of USB devices do you use? If they are strictly interface via USB, I don't think you'll have any problems. If they require a driver, as long as there is a Windows driver available, they should also work.

It's various imaging devices, including DSLRs and astronomical cameras, and also astronomical telescopes. There exist drivers, but for intel Windows. I just wonder if those drivers are also properly translated to ARM by Windows.

 

[jav6454]

It seems like Win11 ARM is much more stable than expected.

 

[Dismayed]

I'd never pay $100 - $120/year to run Windows.

 

[Rafterman]

I'd never pay $100 - $120/year to run Windows.

I used an MSDN (aka Visual Studio Enterprise) serial number from work to license it to the Pro version.

 

[throAU]

Win11 on parallels on M1 is insane.

Running as a VM it feels as snappy if not more so (UI response) than my Ryzen 5900X desktop doing basic desktop stuff.

I've been running VMware since the early 2000s both on Windows/Linux and Mac and this is the most impressive VM performance i've ever seen.

 

[hoo-man-b-ing]

Config for context:
- 16” M1 Max MacBook Pro with Studio Display
- Parallels Desktop (I opted for the App Store version since previous Parallels versions were wildly invasive and annoying)
- Windows 11 ARM allocated to 8GB of RAM (a limitation of the App Store flavor)

Even with 8GB of RAM, I find Windows substantialy faster than my previous 15” 2016 MacBook Pro with 16GB of RAM running Bootcamp. Most apps and games just work, including Visual Studio Pro, Steam, Office Suite, Xbox app with streaming to local Xbox, etc. The only limitations I’ve run into so far have been related to DirectX compatibility, but that was a known caveat going in.

Since you have some esoteric hardware scenarios, you might be the only person who can say whether this configuration will work for your needs. However, since Parallels offers a trial version and most countries/retailers provide at least 2 week return window (depending on location) for Apple hardware, you’ll likely be able to validate all the software/hardware compatibility before your committing to either of those products (assuming your current version of Parallels isn’t Apple Silicon compatible.)

 

[Gerdi]

It's various imaging devices, including DSLRs and astronomical cameras, and also astronomical telescopes. There exist drivers, but for intel Windows. I just wonder if those drivers are also properly translated to ARM by Windows.

Kernel drivers are not emulated and will not work.

 

[gogogo2]

UTM open source, https://getutm.app
it works fine with ARM windows 10 or 11,

 

[KPOM]

Hi,

I wonder what's people experience running intel-version of Windows apps on Win11 ARM through Parallels on Apple Silicon Macs, particularly on hardware and drivers.

The background is that I have a few intel Macs, on which I run Win7 or Win11 occasionally. I don't use Windows often enough to justify a PC, so I do in on my Macs through Parallels. Although not very often, the usage is essential, so I can't simply give it up. Now some of my older intel Macs start to show its age and they are no longer supported by Apple. So I need to seriously think about an M1 or M2 replacement.

I know the ARM Windows has an intel simulator so intel-version of Windows apps can be installed. People here seem to have no problems at all running those intel Windows apps on Windows ARM + Parallels on M1/M2. But how about drivers and hardware? Do people find they are also fine? I have a bunches of USB devices. Do I need to worry about not being able to use those hardware under ARM Windows on M1/M2?

Regular USB devices work just fine. Just don’t expect low-level items (such as firmware update software, or eGPUs) that require a direct physical connection from Windows to a Thunderbolt/USB port to work. Parallels essentially shows Windows a “virtual” USB port that relies on macOS’s physical connection. But regular peripherals will work.

 

[ThailandToo]

Not using any graphic Applications either here.
But i needed it for SAP S/4 Hana (didn't used it much, but it installed and worked).
Also, some Business Intelligence Applications like Microsoft SQL Server Data Tools, SQL Server Management Studio, BI Modeller, PowerBI.
They all worked perfectly fine. Even more than fine. BI Modeller (a Java Application that needs Java Runtime to install) didn't want to start on my Windows Machine. On M1 Mac with Parallels np.
Also, a DS Emulator and a Tool that flashes/tweaks a Rom-file also worked absolutely fine.

Aside from that, the OS itself runs fine, no graphical glitches, no scaling issues, it's like absolute perfection.

I can't say this about the Linux Distros, that are offered by Parallels. Ubuntu kinda doesn't want to update to newest Version, also throws some errors with updating.
Fedora works fine, but scrolls way too fast. Idk how to fix that.


Performance wise: Geekbench 5 is like 4500 points~ inside Windows 11 ARM VM and around 1500 Single Core Points, which is basicly almost a 11th Gen Tiger Lake Windows Laptop natively. And that's because Parallels only allows to alocate 4 Cores to the VM - probably the 4 P-Cores.
It's still like 2700 Multicore Points when using Low Power Mode, which caps the M1 Chip at 4 Watt.

Idk about hardware,but i just tried to plug in a USB Stick. It let me chose if i want to allow MacOS to access it, or Windows. Both worked.
But Windows can also access many MacOS Folders like "Downloads", which is a shared Folder.

With Mice, Keyboards etc, i guess there won't be any issues.

That’s pretty cool. Good to know what’s possible. Thanks.

 

[Dismayed]

I used an MSDN (aka Visual Studio Enterprise) serial number from work to license it to the Pro version.

Unfortunately Parallels is about $100/year. Just not worth it for me.

 

[MrGunny94]

Not using any graphic Applications either here.
But i needed it for SAP S/4 Hana (didn't used it much, but it installed and worked).
Also, some Business Intelligence Applications like Microsoft SQL Server Data Tools, SQL Server Management Studio, BI Modeller, PowerBI.
They all worked perfectly fine. Even more than fine. BI Modeller (a Java Application that needs Java Runtime to install) didn't want to start on my Windows Machine. On M1 Mac with Parallels np.
Also, a DS Emulator and a Tool that flashes/tweaks a Rom-file also worked absolutely fine.

Aside from that, the OS itself runs fine, no graphical glitches, no scaling issues, it's like absolute perfection.

I can't say this about the Linux Distros, that are offered by Parallels. Ubuntu kinda doesn't want to update to newest Version, also throws some errors with updating.
Fedora works fine, but scrolls way too fast. Idk how to fix that.


Performance wise: Geekbench 5 is like 4500 points~ inside Windows 11 ARM VM and around 1500 Single Core Points, which is basicly almost a 11th Gen Tiger Lake Windows Laptop natively. And that's because Parallels only allows to alocate 4 Cores to the VM - probably the 4 P-Cores.
It's still like 2700 Multicore Points when using Low Power Mode, which caps the M1 Chip at 4 Watt.

Idk about hardware,but i just tried to plug in a USB Stick. It let me chose if i want to allow MacOS to access it, or Windows. Both worked.
But Windows can also access many MacOS Folders like "Downloads", which is a shared Folder.

With Mice, Keyboards etc, i guess there won't be any issues.

Hi mate, I'm curious what you mean by the use of S/4 HANA? I'm a SAP Solution Technical Architect hence the curiosity

 

[pshufd]

I just installed it and the process is very smooth. I'm on the 14-day free trial to test out some Windows programs and some gaming with it. I am also going to test VirtualBox 7 preview for macOS ARM. I'm trying out one of my professional applications to start. Times like this when I wish that Apple's RAM was a lot cheaper.

 

[maflynn]

My experience has been underwhelming.

On one hand, Parallels offers a high degree of polish and control, and windows arm appears to be pretty decent, at least superficially. When I go to run a program, more often then not, I into issues, even though a lot of the early discussion I found on the net was that ARM windows 11 offers a high degree of compatibility with x86 apps - this isn't so, at least from my experience with it running inside parallels.

I bought parallels and it appears to be a subscription, I'll give it a year, and the situation doesn't improve, I'll just uninstall it

 

[pshufd]

My experience has been underwhelming.

On one hand, Parallels offers a high degree of polish and control, and windows arm appears to be pretty decent, at least superficially. When I go to run a program, more often then not, I into issues, even though a lot of the early discussion I found on the net was that ARM windows 11 offers a high degree of compatibility with x86 apps - this isn't so, at least from my experience with it running inside parallels.

I bought parallels and it appears to be a subscription, I'll give it a year, and the situation doesn't improve, I'll just uninstall it

I ran an Active Trader Pro startup test on Parallels and it took one minute to start up. The graphics were better than running it on WINE and Rosetta 2. I then ran it on WINE and Rosetta 2 and it started up in 26 seconds. Windows 11 actually looks great on Parallels but I wanted an improvement in performance too.

It seems to me that the best way to run Windows is on x86.

 

[maflynn]

It seems to me that the best way to run Windows is on x86.

Almost none of my apps I need for work run in parallels/arm windows. Hell the VPN software that work needs won't even install (cisco anywhere connect) and searching the web, it shows that it should be compatible. Getting the arm version wasn't any better either - no bueno.

I can run the cisco natively under macos, but i was trying to compartmentalized my work stuff within parallels ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[4743913]

I am using Parallels/Windows 11 for Campaign Cartographer 3+ and C&C Red Alert: Yuris Revenge and both run flawlessly.

 

[KPOM]

Almost none of my apps I need for work run in parallels/arm windows. Hell the VPN software that work needs won't even install (cisco anywhere connect) and searching the web, it shows that it should be compatible. Getting the arm version wasn't any better either - no bueno.

I can run the cisco natively under macos, but i was trying to compartmentalized my work stuff within parallels ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It’s interesting how Microsoft released a new Surface Pro 9 with an available ARM processor. It is a customized 9 and not an “X” model. Hopefully that means they keep improving Windows ARM.

I’ve had good luck with Parallels but all I run is Quicken for Windows. Plus I have an old subscription plan that renews at a reasonable rate. I’ve run Quicken under WINE but it is buggier and a bit slower that way.

 

[Gerdi]

I ran an Active Trader Pro startup test on Parallels and it took one minute to start up.

Should start-up much faster the second time - there is some translation caching going on in the background.

It seems to me that the best way to run Windows is on x86.

Well your conclusion should be rather, that the best way to run Active Trader Pro is on x86.