Parallels Desktop supports different operating systems, but people were confused about whether it will support Windows 11 or not?
I have done a ton of research about the Parallels Desktop and its compatibility with Windows 11 & in this article; I will explain your query.
But before getting the answer, know that Parallels Desktop is an application for Mac devices that allows you to run different operating systems (Windows, Linux, or Operating system-based applications) on your Mac devices.
So, Does Parallels Desktop support Windows 11?
Yes! the Parallels Desktop 17 supports the Windows 11 operating system & the parallels. Desktop 17 is recommended for Windows 11 as a guest operating system. But remember that the Parallels Desktop 16 & lower Parallels Desktops are not supported for Windows 11.
After getting the short answer, you might wonder which Parallels Desktop Should you Use for Mac Devices? Well, your question is discussed below.
Table of Contents
Can Windows 11 run on Parallels for Mac devices?
Yes! the Windows 11 operating system will run on Mac devices, but it is only supportable for the latest Parallels Desktop 17 version; older Parallels Desktop versions like Parallels 16,15 or older are not suitable for Windows 11.
Let’s Checkout the reasons behind why Parallels Desktop 17 version is suitable for Windows 11 & why other Parallels versions are suitable-
Processor
The latest version of Parallels Desktop, Parallels Desktop 17, will not run on all Mac devices.
It will only run on those Mac devices which have these processors-
- Apple M1
- M1 Pro
- M1 Max chips
- Intel Core 2 Duo
- Core i3
- Core i5
- Core i7
- Core i9
- Intel Core M
- Intel Xeon Processor
However, according to Microsoft’s guidelines, the Windows 11 operating system is supported for the mentioned intel processors like (Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, Intel Core I9 & Intel Xeon).
As the list explains, Parallels 17 & Windows 11 processor requirements are almost similar (for Intel CPUs); therefore, the Parallels 17 based Mac devices containing Intel core CPUs can efficiently run Windows 11.
Memory & Storage
The Windows 11 operating system is bulky in size compared to the Windows 11 operating system.
To install the Windows 11 operating system, you need 4GB of Ram space & 64 GB or a larger storage device.
On the other hand, Parallels Desktop 17 is only supportable for those Mac devices with a minimum of 4 GB of RAM space and comes with an SSD storage drive.
So, after noticing the memory & storage requirements, it is clear that Windows 11 can efficiently be run on Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac devices.
Graphics
The Parallels Desktop 17 is not supportable for all the graphics cards; it is only supportable for those Mac devices with specified graphics cards.
Here is the list of the Graphics cards which supports the Parallels Desktop 17 on Mac devices-
- Apple M1
- M1 Pro
- M1 Max Chips Intel
- AMD Radeon
- NVIDIA Graphics Card
On the other hand, Windows 11 requires graphics cards compatible with Direct X 12.
Most of the mentioned graphics cards, like- AMD Radeon, NVIDIA graphics cards & others, are compatible with Windows 11.
So, it is also clear that the Parallels 17 Desktops complete all the system requirements for the graphics cards.
TPM 2.0
Microsoft wants to make Windows 11 more secure than Windows 10; therefore, they introduced the TPM chip concept in Windows 11.
The TPM(Trusted Platform Module) is a cryptographic chip that enhances the privacy & security of your Computer.
It is mentioned in Microsoft’s official blog that to run Windows 11, your PC must need the TPM 2.0 chip.
Apple has never supported the TPM 2.0 chip on its motherboard, but most Mac devices with Intel CPUs have the TPM inside its processor.
The Parallels Desktop 17 also supports those Mac systems that have the Intel chip supports, which contains the TPM chip on its processors; therefore, these Mac devices can efficiently run Windows 11.
Secure Boot
Secure Boot is another essential feature which is introduced in Windows 11. It is an important security feature designed to prevent malicious software from loading when your PC starts up.
Microsoft clearly states that your PC needs Secure Boots capability to run Windows 11 & most of the modern PCs are capable of secure Boot.
The parallels Desktop 17 based Mac devices are capable to secure Boot; therefore, these PCs can easily support Windows 11.
Based on these 5 facts, it can easily be said that Windows 11 supports on Parallels Desktop 17 & Windows 11 can be run on Parallel Desktop 17 based PCs.
Also Read: Does AMD Radeon support Windows 11?
Can Parallels 16 run Windows 11?
No! the Parallels Desktop 16 cannot run the Windows 11 operating system because it doesn’t fulfill the system requirements of Windows 11; only the latest Parallels Desktop 17 version completes the system requirements of Windows 11.
Not only the Parallels Desktop 16 but the other older Parallels Desktop versions like (Parallels 15,14,13 to version 2.5) also are not capable of running Windows 11 because most of these Parallel Desktop’s comes with the Apple M1 chip. The TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is not added by default within this chip.
Also Read: Does Windows 11 have Snipping Tool?
Can Parallels run Windows 11 on M1 Mac?
Yes! the Parallels 17 can run the Windows 11 operating system on M1 Mac via virtualization technology.
To use Windows 11 on Parallels Desktop 17 for your Mac devices, you need to use Windows 11 Arm rather than Windows 11 X86.
To do that, you have to download a Windows 11 on ARM preview built-in from Microsoft, and to do that; you will need a Microsoft account registered with the Windows insider program.
To run the Windows 11 in Parallels for your M1 Mac device, read this entire article from- Here.
How Do I install Windows 11 on Parallels for Mac?
Windows 11 is only supportable for the Parallels Desktop 17 & via virtualization, you can use it for Mac.
If you want to install Windows 11 into parallels Virtual Machine on Mac, then watch this complete video tutorial-
Final Thought
This article is intended for those users who want to use the latest Windows 11 operating system on their Mac devices via Parallels Desktop 17.
I hope this article is helpful for you & if you want to know more about Parallels Desktop’s, Windows 11, Computers and other technology-related things, keep following this blog regularly.
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