Upgrade Your Mac to Windows 11 in a breeze by following these easy steps here.
If you’re like most people, you probably rely on your computer for many things. For example, you may use it for work, keeping in touch with friends and family.
Whatever the reason, you’ll want your computer to be running as smoothly as possible. Upgrading to Windows 11 could be the perfect way to do that!
But How Do You Go About Doing It?
If you have Parallels Desktop 17, you can install Windows 11 on a Mac with an Intel processor or an M1 processor; however, an M1 Mac can only run the ARM-based version of Windows 11.
You want to check out Windows 11, but you’d instead run it on your Mac so you can easily switch between macOS and Windows. This process is more complex and involved than installing Windows 11 on a personal computer. Still, it is doable with the right software and explicitly parallels Desktop 17, which is currently in version 17.
Installing the x86 version of Windows 11 on a Mac with an Intel-based processor requires little effort. The new Macs powered by Apple’s M1 chip are pickier than previous models because they can only run ARM-based variants of Windows.
Parallels Desktop can run Windows 11 as a virtual machine, much like a Windows VM application like VMware Workstation or Oracle VM VirtualBox. To activate Windows while using Parallels Desktop, you need the Windows product key.
Parallels Desktop 17’s standard edition costs around $80 per year. The Pro Edition costs $100 per year, and the Business Edition costs the same. Upgrades from an earlier version are eligible for a $50 per year discount. Anyone can check Parallels desktop for free for 14 days with a trial version.
How to install Windows 11 On a Mac that Intel Powers
Use your Intel-based Mac to download the ISO file for Windows 11 installation. Select Windows 11 from the list that appears when you click the arrow next to Select Download. Choose the third option, Download Windows 11 Disk Image, on the page that allows you to download Windows 11.
Click the download button to begin. Choose the language in which you want the product to be available, then click the Confirm button. The ISO file will be downloaded to your Mac’s Downloads folder if you select “64-bit Download” from the drop-down menu.
Then, go to the Parallels Desktop 17.1 website and download or install the free trial version of the one paid edition. Proceed with the installation as usual.
At the end of the installation process, the program will ask if you want to install Windows 10.
If you’re upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, you’ll have downloaded the Windows 11 ISO file.
You can install Windows 11 manually or let Parallels Desktop do it.
We’ll go with the second option because you’ve already downloaded the ISO file for Windows 11.
Click the Skip button in the window that asks you to Download and Install Windows 10.
When you get to the window for creating a new project, choose the second option: Install Windows or another OS from a DVD or image file. Please click the Continue button to continue.
On the next screen, click the Select a File link. Browse to the Downloads folder and select the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded earlier.
Select the version of Windows 11 you want to install, such as Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro. In addition, you’ll be asked to enter the Windows 11 product key on the next screen. For example, uncheck the box labeled “Enter Windows License Key for faster installation.”
Choose whether you will primarily use Windows 11 for productivity or solely for gaming. Before beginning the installation, check that the option to Customize settings is selected.
Then, click the Continue button and confirm the name and location of Windows 11 before attempting to start a new computer.
Please navigate the Hardware section and select it in the Windows 11 configuration window. Select Manual from the drop-down menu under CPU & Memory.
Ensure there are at least two central processing units (CPUs) and that the memory is at least 4 gigabytes.
After you have finished closing the configuration window, click Continue. Following that, Windows 11 will be installed.
When the installation is completed, click the Continue button on the Windows 11 welcome screen. Then, sign in with your Parallels account. Parallels Desktop starts the Windows 11 operating system as a virtual machine.
How To Install Windows 11 On A Mac-based On The M1 Chip
Before installing Windows 11 on a Mac with an M1 processor, you must first download the ARM-based Insider Preview version of Windows 11.
This is the only version currently available for use with the M1 processors and older machines running Microsoft’s latest operating system.
Click the “Windows Client ARM64 Insider Preview” button and grant permission for the Windows VHDX file to be downloaded to your Mac’s Downloads folder.
Next, if you do not already have Parallels Desktop, you must download and install it.
At the very end of the installation process, the program will notify you that you require an installation image containing an ARM-based operating system. Click on the link provided below.
How to download and install Windows 10 on an ARM-powered PC. Click the Download Windows 10 icon at the top of the screen and select Windows 10 from a DVD or image file.
Select “Windows or another OS” on the Create New screen by clicking the corresponding button.
Please click the Continue button to continue. Documentation and a video explaining the installation process are available on Microsoft’s website.
Select the button that allows you to Find Automatically on the screen that asks you to choose an installation image.
Parallels Desktop should be able to find the downloaded Windows 11 VHDX. In that case, click the Choose Manually button and then browse to the file of your choice before selecting it.
When the VHDX file has been displayed, click the Continue button.
Make sure Windows 11 is selected as the operating system on the next screen. Change the destination path from its default setting. Make sure that the box next to Customize settings is checked.
Parallels start building the virtual machine for Windows 11. Following that, the Windows configuration screen will appear.
To select the CPU and memory, use the drop-down menus in the Hardware category. Then, to access the Manual, click the button. Finally, make sure that at least two processors are selected, and then change the memory to at least four gigabytes.
When prompted whether you are sure you want to add TPM to Windows 11, select Yes and click the Add button.
Following that, an entry for the TPM chip will appear at the very bottom. After you have finished closing the configuration window, click Continue.
When the installation is complete, you will be prompted to click the Complete Installation window. Then, sign in to your existing Parallels account or create a new one if you don’t already have one. Windows 11, which has been waiting for you to use, is now available.
The steps to take to use Windows 11 with Parallels Desktop
You can access your Mac’s applications and desktop by resizing or repositioning the Windows 11 VM window.
You can also run your Windows 11 VM in various modes and sizes. To see what customization options are available for your Parallels Desktop installation, click View from the menu.
The full-screen mode in Windows 11 takes up the entire screen. Picture in Picture will reduce the image to the size of a thumbnail.
A Windows 11 icon is added to the Dock when you enable Coherence mode. In addition, you can access the Start menu and run both Mac and Windows applications.
Conclusion
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