Can I run Windows 11 on an M3 MacBook Air?

Yes, but only the ARM version via virtualization (Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or UTM). Performance is good for office work, web browsing, and lightweight apps, but CPU-heavy tasks, gaming, and GPU-accelerated software lag or fail. The MacBook Air fanless design throttles under sustained loads, and RAM is limited. For occasional use it’s fine; for serious work or gaming, get a real Windows machine.