If you use a Mac with an Apple Silicon chip and are considering running Windows, you'll probably have some questions: Is it possible with VirtualBoxWhat is the actual compatibility? What limitations will I encounter? The short answer is yes, you can use Windows on a Mac M1, M2 or M3, but with important nuances depending on the method and tool chosen.
In this guide we concentrate all the key information about VirtualBox, Parallels, VMware Fusion, UTM, Windows 365 y Other alternatives include Wine and CrossOver. or even Proton for gaming, and we'll explain why Boot Camp is no longer an option on Apple Silicon. We'll tell you what works, what doesn't, and what you should use based on your needs and hardware.
Real compatibility: Windows on Mac with M chips
On systems with M1, M2 or M3 processors, Windows 11 The one you can run efficiently is the ARM editionThe x86/x64 versions of Windows cannot be directly virtualized because the chip architecture is different; they can only be emulated, which results in a significant performance penalty.
There is one interesting exception: Windows 11 ARM incorporates emulation of x86 and x64 appsThis means that, once you've virtualized Windows ARM on your Mac, you'll be able to install many traditional desktop Windows applications; however, Not all of them will work, nor will they all perform equally well., and those that rely on advanced graphics or DirectX 12 are often problematic.
Microsoft acknowledges that, When possible, Windows works best on a PC designed for WindowsThat said, it offers two clear paths for Mac users: Windows 365 (PC in the cloud) y Parallels Desktop as an authorized solution for Windows 11 ARM Pro and Enterprise on Apple Silicon.
Regarding compatibility: 32-bit ARM apps are obsolete Windows ARM does not support M1, M2, or M3 on Macs. The recommended experience is to use 64-bit ARM apps, and when those are unavailable, to use the x86/x64 emulation included with Windows ARM.
VirtualBox on Mac M1/M2: what you can and can't do
You should know that VirtualBox on Apple Silicon is still dragging on typical hypervisor restrictions on ARMLess polished graphics integration, more limited accelerated 3D, and in some cases a lack of fully functional guest additions for Windows ARM. For general use (office applications, testing, networking, lightweight development) it may be sufficient; for games, apps with DirectX 12, or cases that depend on very specific drivers, it's not the ideal option.
And what about the price? Although VirtualBox is free, He's no longer the only one with that advantageVMware has made its Fusion Pro (macOS) and Workstation Pro (Windows/Linux) editions free. VirtualBox, however, maintains its attractive because it is open source, something valued by organizations that avoid closed-source software.
In real-world environments, such as a prepress department For those who need to open native Windows software files, VirtualBox can be a practical solution for running those applications, although they will need to be validated one by one. The isolation of the VM It adds security and prevents incidents from affecting macOS.
If you plan to follow older guides for VirtualBox (for example, those that mention “VirtualBox 5.1.x for OS X host” and Windows 10 ISOs), keep in mind that Those instructions were intended for Intel MacsIn Apple Silicon the approach changes: you must use ARM images and accept that some features are not yet at Intel's level.
Alternatives to VirtualBox: Parallels, VMware, UTM, Windows 365 and more
Parallels Desktop (v18, v19 and v20) is the Microsoft-authorized solution to virtualize Windows 11 ARM Pro and Enterprise on Macs M1, M2, and M3. It offers great integration with macOS (consistency mode, clipboard sharing, drag and drop, etc.). But it's not all perfect: Microsoft warns of limitations with hardware, games, and apps that depend on DirectX 12, and what Experiences that require nested virtualization are not supported in Parallels.
In response to that, Windows 365 (PC in the cloud) does support nested virtualization For testing, emulators, and ensuring full application compatibility. It's a SaaS service priced per user per month, with various performance profiles. If your company needs stability, centralized administration, and support for complex scenarios, A cloud PC can be a solid bet.
Another very interesting alternative is UTM, an interface for QEMU. UTM allows two modes: virtualize (fast) or emulate (slow, for x86)On a Mac M1/M2/M3, the recommended way to get Windows 11 is to virtualize its ARM ISO: the performance is surprisingly good for productivity. Furthermore, UTM is free (You can support the project by purchasing the app on the Mac App Store).
Y vmware fusionIt has evolved rapidly on Apple Silicon and, as we mentioned, its Pro version is free. It offers good compatibility with Linux ARM and support for Windows 11 ARM is in progress. If you already use VMware in your companyIt might be worthwhile to maintain the same stack for labs and development.
Finally, if you don't need a "full" Windows, there are other options. Wine (free) and CrossOver (Paid, based on Wine). Wine runs Windows applications without virtualizing the entire system; CrossOver simplifies the experience with wizards and recipes. Success depends on each appSo, patience and experimentation are key. In gaming, Steam offers... Protonwhich attempts to run Windows titles on other platforms; however, For serious gaming, a Windows PC is still the best option..
How virtualization works and what a VM is on Mac
An virtual machine It's a "dummy" computer inside your MacYou allocate it CPU, RAM, disk space, and an ISO file to install the system. You can turn it on and off like any other app, experiment without fear, and keep your macOS untouched.
On Mac, Parallels, VMware Fusion, VirtualBox, or UTM are commonly used to create VMs. The VM is consuming resources from the host MacTherefore, it's best not to oversize RAM or cores to keep macOS running smoothly. And, if you want to move your environment, VMs are portable between machines with the same hypervisor.
Virtualizing is not the same as emulating. Virtualization uses the hardware directly (via Apple's Hypervisor Framework, for example) and is fast; emulation translates instructions from one architecture to another (x86 on an ARM), which It significantly reduces performance.
On Apple Silicon, the optimal thing is virtualize ARM systems (Windows 11 ARM, Linux ARM). To run older x86 systems (Windows 7, XP) you will need to emulate with UTM/QEMU. accepting that it will go much slower.
Pros and cons of using Windows on a Mac with a VM
Featured benefitsYou can run Windows-only apps, switch to macOS without restarting, isolate malware risks in the VM, and clone/restore states for testing. For development and QA, Having multiple environments at hand is gold.
DisadvantagesThere is a performance cost compared to native hardware, high RAM/CPU consumption, and more complex management in enterprises; possible incompatibilities with drivers, peripherals or technologies such as DirectX 12.
A critical point: demanding workloads (heavy video/photo editing, AAA, advanced CAD) They don't shine in VMs running on Apple Silicon. If that's your daily routine, consider... a dedicated Windows PC or a server with GPU and remote access.
For occasional use, such as opening some corporate software or a specific client project, virtualization on Mac Silicon more than compliesFor intensive use, it may be more cost-effective to separate equipment/systems.
VirtualBox: Steps and Considerations in Apple Silicon
The general process for installing Windows in VirtualBox is well-known: download the ISOCreate a VM (CPU/RAM/storage), mount the ISO in the storage section, start and install, and when it finishes expel the ISO so that the boot process starts from the virtual disk.
In Apple Silicon, the important distinction is that You must use the Windows 11 ARM ISOThe classic wizards that described Windows 10 x86 ISOs or older versions of VirtualBox "for OS X hosts" are from another era (Intel Macs) and no longer apply as such.
After installation, remember to adjust resources to your needs: Don't give away all the RAM to the VM or you'll slow down macOS. If your Mac has plenty of memory (for example, 64/128 GB), allocating 8–16 GB to Windows ARM is usually fine for office applications and light development.
For a more polished experience with USB, screen, and shared folders, VirtualBox is still behind Parallels Apple Silicon is also improving. If your priority is convenience and integration with macOS, seriously consider Parallels or VMware.
UTM: Install Windows 11 ARM step by step
With UTM you can achieve a clean and free Windows 11 ARM installation. Download UTM from its official website (or purchase it from the Mac App Store to support the project) and use CrystalFetch To obtain the official Windows 11 ARM ISO, choose "Apple Silicon" and your language.
When creating the VM in UTM, choose Virtualize (do not emulate), select Windows and check the option to Install SPICE drivers and tools (Improved integration: dynamic resolution, shared clipboard, etc.).
Assign RAM and CPU cores It depends on your computer. In many cases, 8–12 GB of RAM and 4–6 cores are more than enough for general tasks. The default storage is usually 64 GB, which you can expand if you plan to install many apps.
During the first boot, it boots from the ISO and Follow the Windows 11 assistant (language, edition, partition, etc.). If you don't set a product key, you can use Windows with cosmetic limitations. Finally, install the UTM Guest Tools/SPICE and restart the VM.
In practice, the performance of UTM virtualizing Windows ARM is very good in productivity tasks. Known Limitations: rounded corners that sometimes don't render, trackpad gestures not mapped by default, and games that aren't recommended. The clipboard usually works in a shared mode, and you can add a shared folder if you configure it.
Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion on Apple Silicon
Parallels offers the most polished experience: coherence mode, file integration, networking and USB finely tuned, and the guided download/installation of Windows 11 ARM is almost automatic. It's a paid product, but save a lot of time and reduces friction.
VMware Fusion has taken a leap forward since becoming free. Linux ARM support is excellent And Windows 11 ARM improves with each version. If your IT team works with VMware, Fusion might be the missing piece. standardize laboratories on Mac.
Don't forget that Microsoft specifies that applications and games that depend on DirectX 12 They may not function correctly on Windows 11 ARM on these platforms. And, if you need nested virtualization (emulators, certain complex test environments), Windows 365 supports it, Parallels does not.
For a powerful Mac (for example, a MacBook Pro M4 Max with 128 GBParallels or VMware can squeeze your resources, but the compatibility limitations of Windows ARM will still be there. If your goal is to emulate a "full" Windows x86, UTM can do it. but it will be noticeably slower.
Quick comparison of tools
| Tools | Strengths |
|---|---|
| Parallels Desktop | Excellent integration with macOS; Guided installation of Windows ARM; coherence mode; very smooth performance. |
| vmware fusion | Now free; robust environment for businesses; strong Linux ARM support; architecture familiar to IT teams. |
| VirtualBox | Free and open source; very configurableIdeal for light ARM labs; huge community. |
| UTM (QEMU) | Free; allows virtualize ARM and emulate x86; amazing performance on Windows 11 ARM. |
| Windows 365 | PC in the cloud with nested virtualization; business administration and scaling; cost per user/month. |
And Boot Camp? The situation at Intel and Apple Silicon
On Macs with Intel, Boot Camp remains the native way To install Windows on a partition and boot at full performance, you need a Windows 11 ISO, a license, and sufficient disk space (Apple recommends 128 GB). The boot device can be selected using the Option key or through System Preferences.
On Apple Silicon, Boot Camp is not availableThe only practical way is virtualization. This has advantages (using macOS and Windows simultaneously) and disadvantages (performance costs, management, potential hypervisor licenses).
Ways to use Windows apps on Mac, without a full VM
If all you need is to run a specific program, Wine You can do it without virtualizing the entire system. It requires more trial and error, but it saves resources by focusing on the app. CrossOver It greatly simplifies the process with assistants and support, in exchange for being a paid service.
A point seen in some guides: it mentions that Advanced modifications could affect the warrantyIn general, installing and using software like CrossOver shouldn't invalidate it, but avoid touching low-level settings not documented by Apple.
For games on Steam, Proton It tries to make Windows games work outside of Windows. Even so, on macOS and Apple Silicon, compatibility and performance vary greatly. If your priority is gaming, A dedicated Windows PC is the most sensible option..
And if you already have a Windows PC turned on in the office, Microsoft Remote Desktop It allows you to control that computer from your Mac. Performance depends on the network and remote hardware, and it's not a replacement for a local installation, but It serves as a temporary fix for specific tasks.
Use cases and performance expectations
For users who open "that specific Windows app," manage documents, or perform software testing, virtualization on Apple Silicon It runs very smoothly.especially with Parallels or UTM. A typical case: a team of prepress which requires specific Windows tools to validate client files.
If you're looking for raw performance or rely on very specific technologies (drivers, DirectX 12, GPU), the experience may not be up to parYou'll also notice increased RAM/CPU usage and, in laptops, an impact on battery life and temperature under sustained load.
Also keep in mind that, although you can emulate Windows x86 with UTM, latency and speed In emulation, they are not comparable to virtualizing an ARM system or running Windows on native hardware.
For businesses, Windows 365 shines because standardize environmentsto facilitate compliance and enable nested virtualization loads. For individuals, Parallels and UTM They are the combination of “convenience/performance” and “free/powerful”.
Quick FAQ
Can I run Windows 11 x86 on a Mac M1/M2? Not natively; only through emulation (which is slow). Windows 11 ARM is recommended, as it emulates x86/x64 apps.
Which is the best tool? Parallels for the most polished experience; UTM if you're looking for a free option; VMware if your company uses its ecosystem; VirtualBox for ARM labs and thin environments; Windows 365 for complex managed scenarios.
Do they work with Linux? Yes. Parallels, VMware, VirtualBox, and UTM work very well with Linux ARM distributionsIf you need x86, UTM can emulate it, knowing that it will be slower.
Can I use nested virtualization? Parallels does not support scenarios that depend on it. Windows 365 does support it for testing and emulators.
If your goal is to work with Windows software on an M-chip Mac, the choice depends on your desired balance between convenience, cost, compatibility and performanceVirtualBox delivers for ARM and testing; UTM impresses with its performance and zero cost; Parallels and VMware offer the best integration; and Windows 365 is the winning choice for businesses that need deep control and compatibility, including nested virtualization support.
Brands: Apple, Apple M1, Apple M2, Apple M3 and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc.; Parallels is a brand of Parallels International GmbHThe availability and compatibility of Windows 11 ARM and its features may vary depending on the version and vendor.
