Installing Windows 11 on Mac using Parallels Desktop: A Comprehensive Guide

Parallels Desktop is a powerful virtualization software that allows users to run multiple operating systems simultaneously on a single Mac computer. This guide provides a detailed overview of the steps involved in installing Windows 11 on a Mac using Parallels Desktop.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure that you have the following:

A Mac computer with an Intel or Apple M1 chip.
The latest version of Parallels Desktop installed on your Mac.
A Windows 11 ISO file.
A product key for Windows 11 (optional).
An active internet connection.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Download and Install Parallels Desktop

Visit the Parallels website and download the latest version of Parallels Desktop compatible with your Mac.
Double-click on the downloaded DMG file and follow the on-screen instructions to install Parallels Desktop.

2. Create a New Virtual Machine

Launch Parallels Desktop and click on the “+” button to create a new virtual machine.
Select “Install Windows or another OS from a DVD or image file” and click “Continue.”
Click “Choose Manually” and navigate to the location where the Windows 11 ISO file is saved.
Select the ISO file and click “Open.”

3. Configure Virtual Machine Settings

Specify the name and location for the virtual machine.
Allocate RAM, storage, and CPU cores as per your requirements.
Click “Create” to start the virtual machine creation process.

4. Install Windows 11

Once the virtual machine is created, it will boot into the Windows 11 installation process.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Windows 11 installation.
If prompted, enter the Windows 11 product key.

5. Connect to the Internet

Once Windows 11 is installed, you can connect to the internet within the virtual machine.
Click on the Parallels icon in the menu bar and select “Configure.”
Navigate to the “Network” tab and select “Shared Network.”
Ensure that the “Connect automatically” option is enabled.

6. Install Parallels Tools

Parallels Tools is a set of drivers and utilities that enhance the integration between Parallels Desktop and Windows.
To install Parallels Tools, click on the “Devices” menu in the Parallels Desktop menu bar and select “Install Parallels Tools.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

7. Activate Windows 11 (Optional)

If you have a Windows 11 product key, you can activate Windows to remove the watermark and unlock all features.
To activate Windows, open the Settings app and navigate to “System > Activation.”
Click on the “Change product key” option and enter your Windows 11 product key.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully install Windows 11 on your Mac using Parallels Desktop. This allows you to run Windows applications and programs alongside macOS on your Mac computer.

FAQ

What are the prerequisites for installing Windows 11 on Mac using Parallels Desktop?

A Mac computer with an Intel or Apple M1 chip.
The latest version of Parallels Desktop installed on your Mac.
A Windows 11 ISO file.
A product key for Windows 11 (optional).
An active internet connection.

How to create a new virtual machine in Parallels Desktop?

Launch Parallels Desktop and click on the “+” button.
Select “Install Windows or another OS from a DVD or image file” and click “Continue.”
Click “Choose Manually” and navigate to the location where the Windows 11 ISO file is saved.
Select the ISO file and click “Open.”
Specify the name and location for the virtual machine.
Allocate RAM, storage, and CPU cores as per your requirements.
Click “Create” to start the virtual machine creation process.

How to connect to the internet within the Windows 11 virtual machine?

Click on the Parallels icon in the menu bar and select “Configure.”
Navigate to the “Network” tab and select “Shared Network.”
Ensure that the “Connect automatically” option is enabled.

What is Parallels Tools and how to install it?

Parallels Tools is a set of drivers and utilities that enhance the integration between Parallels Desktop and Windows.
To install Parallels Tools, click on the “Devices” menu in the Parallels Desktop menu bar and select “Install Parallels Tools.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

How to activate Windows 11 within the virtual machine?

If you have a Windows 11 product key, you can activate Windows to remove the watermark and unlock all features.
To activate Windows, open the Settings app and navigate to “System > Activation.”
Click on the “Change product key” option and enter your Windows 11 product key.