The super-easy guide for installing Windows on M1 Macs using Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac [Video]

Click Continue on the Install on ARM window.
On the Create New window, click Install Windows or another OS from a DVD or image file.

Parallels will immediately seek the Windows set up image on the Select Installation Image window. , if it finds the Windows 10.. VHDX file that you downloaded in Step 3, click Continue. Otherwise, click the Choose Manually button.

Click the Hardware tab.
Change the processors and memory settings. If you have an M1 Mac, which has an 8-core CPU, I advise designating 4 cores. I suggest assigning 4096 MB of memory if you have 8GB of memory on your device. I suggest designating 8192 MB of memory if you have 16GB of memory on your maker.
When youve settled on the processor and memory allotment, close the Configuration window.

The installation will take numerous minutes, so just be patient and let it total.
Action 6: Sign in to your Parallels account.
Youll need to sign in to your Parallels account in order to proceed. If you dont already have a Parallels account, youll require to create one.

Although M1 Macs do not have assistance for traditional Boot Camp x86 Windows setups, its super-easy to set up Windows for ARM on your M1 Mac. Parallels recently launched Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac, and with it comes out-of-the-box support for M1 Macs
View our hands-on video walkthrough for detailed directions for installing Windows 10 for ARM on your M1 MacBook, Mac mini, or iMac, and make sure to subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple-centric guides and tutorials.

Step 3: Download Windows 10 on ARM Insider Preview.
Windows 10 for ARM-based devices like the M1 MacBook, MacBook Air, Mac mini, and recently introduced iMac, can be downloaded via Microsofts site. Youll need to be logged in as a Windows Insider in order to facilitate the download.

Step 5: Install Windows 10.

Step 4: Configure Windows 10 using Parallels Installation Assistant.
Open Parallels to configure your Windows 10 installation as soon as you have Windows 10 on ARM Insider Preview downloaded to your Mac.

New users get a 14-day trial to check Parallels and any virtual devices developed. Parallels has numerous payment tiers that you can choose depending on your needs.

Click advance the Virtual Machine Configuration page to begin the Windows 10 installation on your M1 Mac.

Parallels Installation Assistant will now produce the virtual device, which will take a couple of seconds. Eventually the Configuration window will appear, permitting you to customize the quantity of memory and CPU cores designated to the virtual maker.

How to install Windows on M1 Macs.
Action 1: Install and download Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac.
Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac is the official version of Parallels for macOS users. The app is universal, suggesting that it will deal with both Intel and Apple Silicon-based Mac systems.
Unlike the Parallels Technical Preview, which we showcased late last year, Parallels 16 for Mac has actually eliminated much of the bugs and concerns that were included on the preview. To put it simply, setting up Windows on an M1 Mac has to do with as uncomplicated and as basic as it gets.
Video: Run Windows on M1 Mac w/Parallels
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Step 2: Register as a Windows Insider.
Youll require to register as a Windows Insider before youll be enabled to download the Windows 10 on ARM Insider Preview. Registering as a Windows Insider is free– just follow this link to get started.

If picking manually, drag the Windows 10 VHDX image file to the Select Installation Image window and click Continue.
Select Productivity on the “I will primarily utilize Windows for” screen and click Continue.
On the Name and Location window, the Name and Save to area needs to be pre-populated– you can tailor these choices if you d like, however I generally recommend keeping them as is.
Uncheck the Create alias on Mac desktop alternative.
Inspect Customize settings before setup.
Click Create.

8GB vRAM
4 vCPUs
Thirty days of phone and email assistance

. If you d like to stay on the optional Windows 10 Insider Preview train, youll require to go to Settings → Windows Insider Program → Go to Diagnostics & & Feedback, and make it possible for the Optional diagnostic information toggle. Youll then require to connect your Windows Insider account in Settings → Windows Insider Program. Your gadget will ultimately stop getting Windows Insider preview builds if the optional diagnostic information toggle is not allowed. Thats not necessarily a bad thing, considering that you d be offering up a step of personal privacy by enabling optional diagnostic data.
Upon rebooting, run Windows Update once again simply to ensure nothing was missed. You may also see Parallels demand to re-install Parallels Tools, which will require another reboot.
Step 8: Install your favorite apps and games.
Its time to install your favorite games and apps when youre fully updated. Naturally, I set up Steam, and thereafter Rocket League. I also installed a number of apps and games from the Microsoft Store app.

This will download the current version of the Windows 10 Insider Preview, updates for.NET framework, Microsoft Defender updates, etc

For M1 Mac users, thats not a horrible configuration, because you d normally not want to go beyond the 8GB RAM/4 cores for any M1 setup. For users of more effective hardware, such as the rumored upcoming M1X or M2 hardware, these configuration limitations might not meet your needs. Of course, Parallels uses additional alternatives, such as the Pro Edition for 99.99 a year, that includes 128GB vRAM, 32 vCPUs and unlimited phone and e-mail assistance.
The $79.99 edition is for Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac, and not future versions of Parallels. It is basically a de facto subscription, because theres no warranty that Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac will work on future variations of macOS, such as macOS 12.
Action 7: Run Windows Update.
Youll want to upgrade with all of the latest software and security repairs as soon as youve set up Windows.

Go to Start → Settings → Update & & Security and click Update.

Obviously gaming is a substantial YMMV on M1 virtual machines at this early phase. Some games will be playable, while others will not be. In this case, I d mostly adhere to running Windows on my M1 Mac to gain access to important Windows applications that arent on Mac.
Conclusion
GPU power is typically the most critical part of the gaming experience from a hardware viewpoint, and as great as the M1 is for optimized workflows on macOS, its certainly not the most perfect graphics resource for 3D gaming on Windows. When brand-new Apple Silicon releases with higher efficiency per core, and more GPU cores, then gaming efficiency will no doubt enhance on both native macOS and virtual devices.
For as good as the M1 Macs are, they are likewise quite uninspired in the amount of memory provided, with 16GB being the outright max that can be set up. This makes running a Windows virtual maker on an M1 Mac less-than-ideal for users of applications that require generous quantities of RAM.

But by and big I was impressed by A) how extremely easy it was to install Windows 10 via Parallels, and B) how well it performed. In my experience Windows 10 was relatively steady, and the majority of apps simply worked. Even x64-based apps, which formerly required the user to jump through a number of hoops to get emulation working on the Parallels Technical Preview, work right out of package with the latest Windows 10 for ARM Insider build.
The lack of Boot Camp on the M1 Mac is a disappointment to be sure, but if youre ever in dire requirement for a quick Windows installation, its good to know that Windows 10 on an M1 Mac is just a couple of clicks away.
What do you think? Would you consider purchasing Parallels 16 Desktop for Mac? Sound off with your thoughts down below in the remarks.
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Youll then need to link your Windows Insider account in Settings → Windows Insider Program. In this case, I d mainly stick to running Windows on my M1 Mac to acquire access to critical Windows applications that arent on Mac.
By and big I was impressed by A) how extremely easy it was to set up Windows 10 by means of Parallels, and B) how well it performed. In my experience Windows 10 was fairly stable, and many apps simply worked. Even x64-based apps, which formerly required the user to leap through numerous hoops to get emulation working on the Parallels Technical Preview, work right out of the box with the newest Windows 10 for ARM Insider develop.