Surprise! Parallels 17 lets users download Windows 11 on their Apple Macs; here’s how to make it work

Yes, you can actually download Microsoft Windows 11 on your Apple Mac with the help of the latest version of the Parallels software. Here’s everything you need to know.

Thanks to a software called Parallels, Apple Mac users can run Windows 11 inside macOS at any time (Parallels International)

Microsoft Windows 11 has been in the news lately, thanks to several new leaks regarding the upcoming operating system, changes being carried out and new features expected when it launches later this year. Microsoft initially courted controversy over the software's compatibility with older computers due to the new hardware requirements for Windows 11, but now even rival Apple Mac users will be able to download and enjoy the new Microsoft operating system, says this report.

Thanks to a software called Parallels, Mac users will be able to emulate Windows 11 inside macOS at any point of time, according to a report by the Verge. This means that they should also be able to download and run any Windows software inside that emulator, including software that is designed for Windows 11, barring any specific hardware requirements.

The ability to run Windows 11 in the Parallels 17 emulator should work for users running both Intel-based Macs as well as newer Macs that are running on Apple's new in-house M1 chipset. However, the report states that the latter might face some issues with Windows 11. The limitation is that M1 based Macs can emulate Arm operating systems, which means you will need to download the Arm-based Windows 11 version, which could also prove to be a buggy experience.

However, users running on Intel-based Macs should have no issues running the Windows 11 preview versions, and it appears that the final version of Windows 11 (that is rumoured to arrive later this year) should also work while using the Parallels software. Meanwhile, the Parallels software itself has gained big improvements with the move to version 17. Users who upgrade from version 16 should see a jump in DirectX 11 performance and faster start times while using Windows 10 on an M1 Mac. The virtualised TPM (a module to enhance security of computers by creating a secure storage for computer secrets) means users can also use Windows features like BitLocker and Secure Boot, according to the report.