Getting a new Mac feels exciting. Everything runs smoothly, looks clean, and just works. But sooner or later, you hit a wall: a tool or app you need only runs on Windows. It might be for work, school, or something your team still relies on. At first, it seems like you have to choose between macOS and Windows, giving up the flexibility of one to use the features of the other. In this guide, I’ll show you how to run Windows on Mac using reliable tools that let you use both systems without compromise.
Mac Compatibility with Windows
Running Windows on a Mac isn’t as simple as it sounds. It depends on your Mac’s hardware. Apple Silicon models like M1, M2, or M3 work very differently from Intel Macs. Some methods won’t work at all, while others are optimized for specific chips. Figuring out what your Mac supports is the first step to getting Windows running smoothly.
Compatibility Overview
Here’s a quick look at which methods work with different Mac models. Depending on whether you have an Intel or Apple Silicon Mac, your options will vary. This table helps you see at a glance what’s compatible with your device.
Mac Model |
Boot Camp |
Parallels |
UTM |
VMware Fusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Intel Macs |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
M1 / M2 / M3 Macs |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
If you’re using a newer Mac with an Apple Silicon chip (like M1, M2, M3, or M4), Boot Camp won’t be an option, but the other tools still work well, especially Parallels.
Methods to Run Windows on Your Mac
There’s more than one way to run Windows on Mac, and the best choice depends on what you need it for. Some methods give you full performance, while others focus on convenience. From built-in tools to powerful virtual machines, each has its pros and cons. Let’s go through the most reliable options one by one.
Boot Camp Assistant (Intel Macs Only)
If you have an Intel Mac, Boot Camp is Apple’s built-in solution for installing Windows. It creates a separate partition on your hard drive and installs Windows natively. This means you can boot into either macOS or Windows as if they were two different machines.
Pros:
Full native performance (great for gaming and heavy apps): Since Windows runs directly on your hardware, you get the best possible speed and graphics performance which is perfect for demanding tasks.
Free and officially supported: Boot Camp is built into macOS for Intel Macs, so you don’t need to buy or download anything extra.
Simple setup for Intel Macs: The guided setup makes it easy to install Windows even if you’re not very tech-savvy.
Cons:
Only available on Intel Macs: Apple Silicon models (like M1, M2, and M3) don’t support Boot Camp at all.
Requires restarting your Mac to switch systems: You have to shut down and reboot every time you want to switch between macOS and Windows.
Takes up a lot of disk space: You’ll need to reserve a large chunk of your storage just for the Windows partition, which can’t be easily resized later.
Parallels (Apple Silicon Friendly)
Parallels Desktop is a virtual machine app built to run Windows side-by-side with macOS. You don’t need to restart your computer. It runs Windows as a window or full screen while still using your Mac.
Pros:
Works on M1/M2/M3 chips: Parallels is fully compatible with Apple Silicon, making it one of the best options for newer Macs that don’t support Boot Camp.
No reboot required to switch systems: You can run Windows and macOS side by side and switch between them instantly without restarting your computer.
Optimized for Windows 11 ARM: It’s specifically designed to run the ARM version of Windows 11 smoothly, with regular updates to support Apple’s latest hardware.
Great for everyday productivity and lighter Windows apps: Ideal for office work, browsing, and using Windows-specific software without needing heavy resources.
Cons:
Paid software (subscription or one-time license): While it’s feature-rich, you’ll need to purchase a license or subscription after the trial period ends.
Heavier apps may be slower than with Boot Camp: Since it’s a virtual machine, you might notice slower performance with demanding apps like high-end games or 3D rendering tools.
UTM
UTM is a free, open-source app that lets you run virtual machines on your Mac. It works well for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, but it requires a bit more manual setup than Parallels.
Pros:
Completely free: UTM doesn’t cost a thing, making it a great choice if you want to run Windows on your Mac without paying for commercial software.
Runs on both Intel and Apple Silicon: Whether you’re using an older Intel Mac or a newer M1/M2/M3 model, UTM has support for both architectures.
Highly customizable: You can tweak CPU, RAM, storage, and other settings to match your specific needs, giving you more control over performance.
Cons:
Requires more configuration than Parallels: Setting up UTM takes more manual steps and may feel a bit technical if you're new to virtual machines.
Performance isn’t as optimized: Since it doesn’t use Apple’s virtualization framework as efficiently as commercial tools, it may feel slower with certain apps.
Some Windows features may be limited: Features like drag-and-drop, clipboard sharing, or seamless window integration may not work as smoothly or at all.
Now that we’ve gone through the pros and cons, let’s get into how you can set up UTM. It takes a bit more manual setup than the others, but once you’ve got your Windows ISO ready, UTM gives you full control over how the virtual machine runs on your Mac.
Step 1: First, download Windows ISO from Microsoft’s official website.
Step 2: Head over to mac.getutm.app and download the UTM app.
Step 3: Open the app, hit the plus button and click on “Virtualize” to start setting things up.
Step 4: Select "Windows" under the "Preconfigured" Section.
Step 5: Now go ahead and select the Windows 11 ISO you downloaded earlier.
Step 6: Customize the CPU and RAM settings based on your Mac’s specs.
Step 7: Once Windows is installed, you can remove the ISO file from the CD/DVD section in UTM.
Step 8: Now just relaunch the virtual machine, and you’re all set to start using Windows 11 right on your Mac.
VMware Fusion
VMware Fusion is another virtual machine tool like Parallels. It supports both Intel and Apple Silicon and offers strong performance, especially if you’re already in the VMware ecosystem.
Pros:
Reliable and stable performance: VMware Fusion has been around for years and is known for running virtual machines smoothly without frequent crashes or bugs.
Free version available for personal use: If you’re using it for non-commercial purposes, you can access most features without paying for the Pro version.
Works well with business-grade VMs: Ideal for IT professionals or developers who need to simulate enterprise environments or run multiple virtual machines.
Cons:
Interface feels more technical than Parallels: The layout and options cater more to advanced users, which might feel overwhelming at first.
Installation process is less beginner-friendly: Unlike Parallels, VMware requires more manual setup when importing or configuring a Windows ISO.
Slightly less polished on Apple Silicon: While support is improving, some features may still lag behind when compared to Intel Macs or competing tools.
Now that you’ve seen what VMware Fusion offers and where it might fall short, let’s go through how to set it up. It’s a solid option, especially if you’re comfortable with a slightly more technical setup and want a stable virtual machine environment on your Mac.
Step 1: First, head over to Broadcom’s registration page and create a free account.
Step 2: Then go to the VMware Fusion downloads page and download the latest version of VMware Fusion Pro for Personal Use.
Step 3: Once the download finishes, open the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install VMware Fusion on your Mac.
Step 4: Open VMware Fusion if it’s not already running, then click the “Get Windows from Microsoft” button to start downloading the Windows installer.
Step 5: Click on Continue when you see the “Download and Install Windows 11” screen, then just leave the settings as they are and hit Download Windows.
Step 6: Once the download finishes, just click Continue, leave the default settings as they are, and click Continue again to move forward.
Step 7: Set a password for your Windows account or just use the Auto Generate Password option then hit Continue to keep things moving.
Step 8: Go ahead and leave the settings as they are, then click Continue to move on.
Step 9: Finally, click the Finish button and just like that, your Windows setup on VMware Fusion is ready to go.
Comparison: Which One Should You Choose?
Each of these tools fits a different kind of user. If you want raw performance and are using an Intel Mac, Boot Camp is still your best bet. For modern M1/M2/M3 Macs, Parallels is the easiest and most reliable option, it just works. If you’re comfortable tinkering and want something free, UTM is great. VMware Fusion sits somewhere in between powerful, but more technical.
WPS Office – The App That Works Across Systems
Once Windows is set up on your Mac, the real test is switching between systems without losing momentum. Office files are often the first thing to trip you up, formats shift, fonts break, or apps just don’t sync right. WPS Office keeps things simple across both macOS and Windows, so your documents stay clean and usable. It runs light, opens fast, and doesn’t need extra setup. It’s one less thing to think about when you’re moving between two worlds.
Switching between Windows and macOS is one thing, but keeping your files consistent across both is another challenge. The last thing you want is formatting issues or apps that won’t open what you need. Here’s how WPS Office helps make everyday tasks simpler, no matter what system you’re using:
Keep Your Formatting Consistent Across Platforms
WPS Office fully supports DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, and other major Microsoft Office formats, so you can open, edit, and save files without any weird formatting issues. This means you don’t have to convert anything or double-check how a file looks when switching between macOS and Windows. It all opens cleanly, edits smoothly, and saves in the exact format others expect.
A Familiar Office Experience Without the Extra Cost
While Pages looks nice, it doesn’t always play nice with Word files. WPS Office gives you a more familiar layout, complete with features that feel like Microsoft Office without the cost. It’s a great option if you want solid performance without switching back and forth. Plus, it keeps your documents consistent when sharing with others so no surprises when someone opens your file on a different platform.
Built to Run on Any Mac, Old or New
WPS runs smoothly on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, so you don’t need to worry about hardware conflicts or missing features. It’s designed to work across different macOS versions, giving you flexibility whether you're using an older machine or the latest model. You get the same reliable experience no matter what Mac you’re on, which makes it easy to focus on your work instead of the setup.
FAQs
Q1: How does running Windows on Mac affect me?
It allows you to run .exe files on your Mac while staying connected to macOS apps and features like messages and notifications.
Q2: Will it affect performance?
If done right, not much. Boot Camp offers native speed, while Parallels and VMware can be tuned by adjusting CPU/RAM settings.
Q3: How do I switch between macOS and Windows?
With Boot Camp, restart your Mac and hold Option to select the OS. With Parallels or VMWare, just minimize or exit the window.
Q4: Can I run Windows in the background while using Mac?
Yes, with Parallels and VMWare, you can run Windows in Coherence or Unity mode, letting you use both systems side by side.
Q5: What if Wi-Fi doesn’t work in Boot Camp?
Install Windows Support Software via Boot Camp Assistant or download drivers directly from Apple’s support site.
The Best Way to Run Windows on Mac
Running Windows on Mac is easier than it sounds, and there’s a method for almost every use case. Boot Camp gives you full performance, while Parallels and UTM offer more flexibility without rebooting. Each option has its own strengths depending on your Mac and what you need. Once you’re set up, tools like WPS Office help you work smoothly across both systems. It keeps your documents consistent no matter which OS you’re using. A bit of planning now means less hassle down the road.
