Windows 11 Home on M2 Pro using Parallels

Hi all,


I'm very new to the Mac world, so please, excuse me if I'm asking too basic things. I got an MacBook Pro 16 inch with M2 Pro chip, 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD.


I have two questions:


  1. Is it possible to install Windows 11 Home using Parallels on a MacBook Pro with M2 Pro chip? The reason I want Windows 11 Home edition is because I don't want to spend extra money on the Pro version and I also wonder if there is a way I can save extra money on the new Windows license?
  2. I know Parallels has two options: Parallels Desktop and Parallels Desktop Pro. The only meaningful difference for me is the number of CPUs it can use. The standard version only allow you to use 4 CPU cores and 8 GB of vRAM. I don't think 8 GB will be a limiting factor as my MacBook has 16 GB and AFAIK, it is recommended to use half of that for the virtual machine. However, regarding CPU cores, mine has 12 (8-performance, 4-efficiency), thus I could use 6 CPU cores for the VM but the standard version of Parallels won't allow me that. Is this a big limitation?


Please note, I don't need extreme power however I do plan in the future to play some games maybe, and make 3D modeling and design. Do you think 4 CPU cores won't be enough?


Thank you very much!


Regards,


MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 13.0

Posted on Mar 6, 2023 02:18 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 10, 2023 10:27 PM

I honestly cannot answer most of your questions, but I can tell you that Microsoft did just recently announce they support running Windows 11 ARM edition within a Parallels VM on an Apple Silicon Mac, but there are limitations.

https://www.parallels.com/pd/windows-on-mac/


First only the Pro and Enterprise versions are officially supported. I have no idea if the Home edition will work, but even if it technically does work, it may not be legal to use it that way...you need to look at the Windows 11 Home license or contact Microsoft for confirmation. Of course you can do whatever you want, but discussing it here beyond what is currently posted may cause your post to be edited or deleted....perhaps even the entire thread, unless it is to post confirmation that the Home edition is legal to use in this manner which would require a link to an official Microsoft article as proof.


Second, DirectX 12 and OpenGL 3.4+ are not supported, so this will rule out most recent games. Plus some games may be 32 bit,so that is something else you will need to confirm since 32 bit apps are not supported either.


Windows 11 Limitations

https://kb.parallels.com/129497


Here is a Microsoft article with some more details and a further list of limitations:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/options-for-using-windows-11-with-mac-computers-with-apple-m1-and-m2-chips-cd15fd62-9b34-4b78-b0bc-121baa3c568c



Personally I would never expect a good gaming experience when using a VM unless it is a very simple game not requiring much in the way of system resources. I find running games on an OS installed on bare metal is not always a good experience so a VM gaming experience will be even worse.


I'm not sure about the 3D modeling, but remember the DirectX and OpenGL limitations which will affect 3D modeling software as well. Have you ever used 3D modeling software in a VM even on an Intel system? I'm not sure I would expect a good experience. Why not use a native macOS app instead?


Maybe another more knowledgeable contributor will be able to provide some answers to these and your other questions, but if not, then you may want to check the gaming and 3D modeling communities regarding these questions and any other options where there may be a native macOS app which may provide a better experience. Or even ask the developers of the apps you intend to run on Windows in a VM on Apple Silicon...they may not support you at all if there are any issues...something to consider if you are paying for new apps.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 10, 2023 10:27 PM in response to aMacNoob

I honestly cannot answer most of your questions, but I can tell you that Microsoft did just recently announce they support running Windows 11 ARM edition within a Parallels VM on an Apple Silicon Mac, but there are limitations.

https://www.parallels.com/pd/windows-on-mac/


First only the Pro and Enterprise versions are officially supported. I have no idea if the Home edition will work, but even if it technically does work, it may not be legal to use it that way...you need to look at the Windows 11 Home license or contact Microsoft for confirmation. Of course you can do whatever you want, but discussing it here beyond what is currently posted may cause your post to be edited or deleted....perhaps even the entire thread, unless it is to post confirmation that the Home edition is legal to use in this manner which would require a link to an official Microsoft article as proof.


Second, DirectX 12 and OpenGL 3.4+ are not supported, so this will rule out most recent games. Plus some games may be 32 bit,so that is something else you will need to confirm since 32 bit apps are not supported either.


Windows 11 Limitations

https://kb.parallels.com/129497


Here is a Microsoft article with some more details and a further list of limitations:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/options-for-using-windows-11-with-mac-computers-with-apple-m1-and-m2-chips-cd15fd62-9b34-4b78-b0bc-121baa3c568c



Personally I would never expect a good gaming experience when using a VM unless it is a very simple game not requiring much in the way of system resources. I find running games on an OS installed on bare metal is not always a good experience so a VM gaming experience will be even worse.


I'm not sure about the 3D modeling, but remember the DirectX and OpenGL limitations which will affect 3D modeling software as well. Have you ever used 3D modeling software in a VM even on an Intel system? I'm not sure I would expect a good experience. Why not use a native macOS app instead?


Maybe another more knowledgeable contributor will be able to provide some answers to these and your other questions, but if not, then you may want to check the gaming and 3D modeling communities regarding these questions and any other options where there may be a native macOS app which may provide a better experience. Or even ask the developers of the apps you intend to run on Windows in a VM on Apple Silicon...they may not support you at all if there are any issues...something to consider if you are paying for new apps.

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Windows 11 Home on M2 Pro using Parallels

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