The best way to run Windows on a Mac is to install it in a virtual machine. A virtual machine allows you to run Windows and macOS at the same time so that you can switch between the two at any moment with just one click.
By far the best virtual environment on Mac is Parallels which makes it extremely easy to install Windows on macOS. With Parallels, you can switch between Windows games or apps and macOS instantly in just a click. Parallels is also the only way to run Windows on M1 Macs. You can download a free trial of Parallels and you can can read our full Parallels review for a more detailed look.
For the needs of most Mac users that want to run Windows only programs on Mac, using a virtual machine is by far your best option. At the moment, we do not recommend installing Windows 11 on a Mac. Our advice is to wait until Windows 11 is officially released in the Fall when there will be more official methods to run Windows 11 on a Mac. Note that If you want to install Windows on an M1 Mac, the following procedure is slightly different and you can find instructions how to install Windows on an M1 Mac for free here.
Parallels is updated frequently to keep apace of updates to macOS and Windows so this may work out cheaper in the long run than having to buy a new version every year if new versions of macOS and Windows are released. However, even when running it on a MacBook Pro with a 2. The latest iMac Pros have 8, 10 or 18 Core processors which will handle Parallels virtualization software with ease.
You can see the full set of preconfigured actions and configurations built into Parallels by default below:.
You can pretty much configure the Touch Bar to work however you want although it can get quite complicated to setup specific actions as you need to know a little about XML code but you can find full instructions how to do so here. We hope this tutorial has shown you how easy it is to install Windows 10 on your Mac for free but if you have any questions, problems or suggestions, let us know in the comments below.
If a Mac feature still doesn't work after updating the Windows support software, search for your symptom on the Apple support website or Microsoft support website. Some features of your Mac aren't designed to work in Windows.
Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information. Download and install Windows support software on your Mac After using Boot Camp Assistant to install or upgrade Microsoft Windows on your Mac, you might also need to install the latest Windows support software drivers from Apple.
Your Apple mouse, trackpad, or keyboard isn't working in Windows. Force Touch isn't designed to work in Windows. You don't hear audio from the built-in speakers of your Mac in Windows.
The built-in microphone or camera of your Mac isn't recognized in Windows. One or more screen resolutions are unavailable for your display in Windows. You can't adjust the brightness of your built-in display in Windows. You have issues with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi in Windows.
You get an alert that Apple Software Update has stopped working. You get a message that your PC has a driver or service that isn't ready for this version of Windows. Your Mac starts up to a black or blue screen after you install Windows. Start your Mac from macOS. Plug the USB flash drive into your Mac. Open Disk Utility, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. Select the drive name, not the volume name beneath it. Click the Erase button or tab. Click Erase to format the drive.
When done, quit Disk Utility. Download the Windows support software After preparing your USB flash drive , complete these steps: Make sure that your Mac is connected to the Internet. When the download completes, quit Boot Camp Assistant.
