5 Things to Know About Running Windows on Apple Silicon

Only the ARM version of Windows runs natively You cannot run standard x86 Windows directly on Apple Silicon. Virtualization tools like Parallels Desktop and UTM handle the translation.

Parallels Desktop is the smoother option It is polished, fast on M-series chips, and integrates well with macOS. You can drag files between operating systems and share the clipboard.

UTM is free but requires more setup UTM is more hackable and costs nothing, but performance is slightly lower. Expect to tinker with configuration.

Not all x86 Windows software works well Games with anti-cheat, old 32-bit utilities, and apps with unusual driver requirements may fail. Test legacy programs before relying on them.

Do not expect a gaming machine or macOS battery life Running Windows drains battery faster than macOS. For Office apps, web browsing, and light development, both tools work fine.