Installing Windows 11 on Mac M1: A Comprehensive Guide

Apple's decision to discontinue support for Boot Camp on Macs with M1 and M2 chips has left many users wondering about alternative methods to install Windows 11 on their devices. In this article, we'll explore the reasons why Boot Camp is no longer supported and provide a step-by-step guide on how to install Windows 11 using an alternative method.

Why Boot Camp is No Longer Supported

Boot Camp, a free utility provided by Apple, allowed users to load into either macOS or Windows on startup and switch between the two operating systems when rebooting their machine. However, since Boot Camp is no longer supported by Apple for Macs with M1 and M2 chips, users are left searching for alternative methods.

Alternative Methods: Installing Windows 11

One such method is to use Parallels, a tool that allows you to run both macOS and Windows 11 simultaneously on your device. This method requires you to download an ISO image of Windows 11 and have a valid product key to hand.

To install Windows 11 using Parallels, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to File > New > Install Windows or another OS from DVD or image file > Continue.

2. Enter your product key and specify a name and location for your virtual machine.

3. The rest of the process is self-explanatory and involves minimal effort.

Additional Requirements

Before installing Windows 11 onto your macOS device, ensure you've met the following requirements:

1. You have a valid Windows 11 licence.

2. Your Mac meets the system requirements for running Parallels.

Why Choose Parallels?

Parallels offers several benefits over using Boot Camp to install Windows 11 on your Mac. Firstly, it allows you to run both operating systems concurrently, which means you can use multiple applications at once without having to reboot your machine. Secondly, Parallels can manage Windows 11 on an M1 and M2 Mac, although only with the Arm-based variant of the OS.

Installing Windows 11 on a Mac M1 or M2 device is no longer possible using Boot Camp due to Apple's discontinuation of support for this method. However, alternative methods such as Parallels provide a convenient way to install and run Windows 11 alongside macOS. By following the steps outlined above and ensuring you meet the additional requirements, you can easily install Windows 11 on your Mac M1 or M2 device.

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