How to Install Windows 11 ARM on a Mac M3 with Parallels Desktop 20
Step-by-step guide to installing Windows 11 ARM on a Mac with an M3 chip using Parallels Desktop 20, with requirements, real-world timings, and solutions to the most common errors.
Setting up Windows 11 on ARM on a Mac M3 is no longer the adventure it was in 2021. With Parallels Desktop 20, the process is practically automated: download, next, next, and in about 15-20 minutes you have Windows running in a macOS window.
This guide covers the real installation, not just the theory. It has been tested on a MacBook Air M3 13" (2024) with macOS Sequoia 15.1 and Parallels Desktop 20.1. If you have a MacBook Pro M3 Pro/Max or an iMac M3, the steps are identical; only the speed and the amount of RAM you can allocate will change.
What you will get and how long it takes
When you finish, you will have a virtual machine with Windows 11 Pro ARM running inside macOS, with clipboard integration, shared folders, and GPU acceleration. You will be able to open x86/x64 apps thanks to Microsoft’s emulation layer (Prism), although with caveats we will see below.
Estimated total time: 20-25 minutes with a good connection. The Windows download weighs about 5 GB, and the installation itself takes another 5-10 minutes.
Prerequisites
Before touching anything, check the following:
- Mac with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 or M4). Intel Macs are not suitable for Windows 11 ARM.
- macOS Ventura 13.5 or later. macOS Sequoia 15.1 recommended.
- Parallels Desktop 20 (version 20.0 or later). Version 19 can also install Windows 11 ARM, but version 20 does it in one click.
- At least 16 GB of free disk space. If you plan to install heavy apps, budget 40-50 GB.
- 8 GB of RAM minimum on the Mac. With 8 GB you can run Windows, but it is tight. Ideal: 16 GB or more.
- A stable internet connection for the initial download.
About licensing: Parallels Desktop 20 costs €99.99/year in its Standard edition (subscription) or €129.99 as a one-time perpetual purchase (with limited updates). Windows 11 Pro can be activated afterwards with a Microsoft key (around €259 RRP, although there are official resellers for considerably less).
Downloading Parallels Desktop 20
Go to the official Parallels website and download the installer. Avoid searching for “Parallels crack” on Google: besides being illegal, almost all of those executables come bundled with malware.
There is a fully functional 14-day free trial. It is enough to decide whether it is worth it for you.
Install the .dmg like any macOS app: drag it to Applications and open it. It will ask for accessibility and local network permissions. Both are required for the macOS integration features to work.
Downloading Windows 11 ARM
This is the part that Parallels Desktop 20 has simplified greatly. The first time you open the app, it offers to download and install Windows 11 automatically. Click that button and the app takes care of everything: it fetches the official image from Microsoft’s servers, creates the virtual machine, and starts the installation.
If you prefer to do it manually (for example, to reuse the ISO in another VM), you can download the Windows 11 ARM64 VHDX image directly from the Windows Insider portal with your Microsoft account.
Note one detail: Microsoft has officially been selling Windows 11 ARM licenses for virtual machines on Mac since late 2023. Previously it was a grey area; now it is regulated.
Creating the virtual machine step by step
I will assume you use Parallels 20’s automatic assistant, which is the recommended route.
- Open Parallels Desktop. The Control Center appears.
- Click the + or go to File → New…
- Choose Get Windows 11 from Microsoft and click Continue.
- A panel appears with Windows 11 and the Install Windows button. Click it.
- The download starts (about 5 GB). On a 300 Mbps connection, it takes 3-5 minutes.
- When it finishes, Parallels creates the VM and automatically starts the Windows installer.
- The installation runs on its own. You do not have to enter a product key yet; you can skip that step.
- When finished, Windows boots and Parallels installs the Parallels Tools (drivers and integration). Restart the VM when prompted.
In total, between download and installation, with the M3’s internal SSD and a decent fibre connection, expect 18-22 minutes.
Configuring resources: RAM, CPU and disk
By default, Parallels allocates 4 GB of RAM and 4 vCPUs. For a Mac with 16 GB of total RAM, this is sensible. If your Mac has 8 GB of RAM, leave it at 4 GB or Windows will consume your system and macOS will start swapping.
To change it:
- Shut down the VM.
- Actions → Configure… → Hardware → CPU & Memory.
- Select Manual if you want to fine-tune it.
Recommendation by Mac type:
| Mac | VM RAM | vCPU |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air M3 8 GB | 4 GB | 4 |
| MacBook Air M3 16 GB | 6-8 GB | 4-6 |
| MacBook Pro M3 Pro 18 GB | 8 GB | 6 |
| MacBook Pro M3 Max 36 GB+ | 12-16 GB | 8 |
As for disk, the VM expands dynamically up to the configured maximum size (64 GB by default). If you know you will install Visual Studio or some other heavy IDE, raise it to 128 GB from Hardware → Hard Disk → Properties.
Activating Windows 11 (optional but recommended)
You can use Windows without activation indefinitely, but you will have a watermark in the corner and some personalization options will be locked.
To activate it: Start → Settings → System → Activation. Enter your Windows 11 Pro or Home key. If you bought a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, sign in with it and it will activate automatically.
Coherence mode: Windows inside macOS
Coherence mode is Parallels’ best feature. It hides the Windows desktop and displays Windows apps as if they were native macOS apps, in the Dock and everything.
Turn it on with View → Enter Coherence or the shortcut ⌃ + ⌘ + C. The same shortcut takes you back.
It is especially convenient if you only need one or two specific Windows apps (for example, an accounting client or AutoCAD) and do not want two parallel desktops.
Sharing folders and clipboard
By default, Parallels already synchronises:
- The clipboard between macOS and Windows (copy in one, paste in the other).
- The macOS Downloads, Documents and Desktop folders, accessible from Windows in File Explorer.
If you want to adjust what is shared: Configure → Options → Sharing. Here you can disable specific folders or add others. For work involving sensitive data, it is advisable to disable the bidirectional clipboard.
Running x86/x64 apps on Windows 11 ARM
This is the point that causes the most doubt. Windows 11 ARM includes Prism, the emulation layer that runs x86 and x64 apps designed for Intel/AMD PCs.
In practice:
- Office, browsers, productivity apps: work perfectly.
- Mid-level x64 professional apps (accounting, ERPs, CRM clients): work with a 20-30% performance penalty.
- Games with anti-cheat (Valorant, Fortnite with EAC): do not work. Anti-cheat systems block emulation.
- Software that requires specific hardware drivers (HASP dongles, certain medical equipment): likely will not work.
If your use case is “I need a specific Windows app”, test it during the 14-day trial before paying.
Common problems and solutions
“Windows 11 cannot be downloaded”
It is almost always a network block. Check that you do not have an active VPN. Restart Parallels and try again.
Windows is very slow
You have allocated too little RAM or too much. Yes, too much is also penalised: if you give it more than half of the physical RAM, macOS starts swapping. Go back to the values in the table above.
The shared network is not visible
In Configure → Hardware → Network, change from Shared to Bridged. Bridged mode makes the VM appear as another device on your router, useful if you need to access it by IP from another computer.
The x64 app crashes on startup
Check that you are on the latest version of Windows 11 (Prism improves with each update). Settings → Windows Update.
The MacBook fan goes into overdrive
Normal if you have given it 8 vCPUs on a base M3. Lower it to 4. The MacBook Air M3 has no fan, but the chassis heats up and the system throttles.
Alternatives to Parallels Desktop 20
It is not the only option. The two serious alternatives on Apple Silicon Mac are:
- VMware Fusion Pro 13: free for personal use since May 2024. It installs Windows 11 ARM, although the process is more manual (you have to download the VHDX separately and convert it). Similar performance. Weaker macOS integration than Parallels.
- UTM: free and open source, based on QEMU. Excellent for running ARM Linux or older systems. For Windows 11 ARM it works, but with less optimisation: no true 3D acceleration and a more laborious installation.
If it is for daily work, Parallels Desktop 20 justifies its price through how polished the experience is. If it is for occasional use or you are a student, VMware Fusion Pro 13 free is a very reasonable alternative.
And if you are setting up a Mac for development, do not miss the Homebrew guide for Apple Silicon to complete your environment.
FAQ
Can I install Windows 10 ARM on the M3 with Parallels 20?
Technically yes, but Microsoft does not offer official ARM images of Windows 10. And since October 2025, Windows 10 no longer receives support. It is not worth it.
Does Windows 11 ARM run Steam games?
Those that are native ARM or x64 without kernel-level anti-cheat, yes, with acceptable performance. Major AAA titles with anti-cheat protections, no. For serious gaming on Mac, better look at CrossOver or Apple’s port toolkit.
Can I use two monitors with the VM?
Yes. In Configure → Hardware → Video, enable “Show on all displays”. It works well with Studio Display or any external monitor via USB-C/Thunderbolt.
Is the Parallels Standard license valid for professional use?
No. For business you need the Pro or Business edition (€119.99/year and up). Standard is for personal use only according to its EULA.
Can the VM be moved to another Mac?
Yes. The .pvm file is located in ~/Parallels/. Copy it to another Mac with Parallels installed and open it with a double click. The Windows license may ask you to reactivate if the hardware changes.
