With Boot Camp, from Apple, you've been able to install Windows directly on your Intel-based Mac. Some people prefer this option for raw power but it is no longer available on Mac computers with Apple silicon. Virtual machines have been around for a long time and are very useful to me for keeping old operating systems around 'just in case' - and virtualisation is readily available for Mac computers with Apple silicon so how well could Windows work on a new Mac that doesn't support Boot Camp.
TL:DR – Windows 11 (Arm) works really really well with VMware Fusion. Quite hard to set up and activate, but worth it.
Step by step through the installation
It is easy to install Windows 11 as a virtual machine in VMware Fusion on a Mac computer with Apple silicon provided you create an installer from which to install the Windows operating system. Microsoft has committed to fully support Windows on Arm in virtual machines on Apple hardware. You will need to ensure you are properly licenced in order to activate Windows.
It runs beautifully and is perfect for testing and development workloads.
If there's a criticism its the number of steps to complete the setu and the changes in the UI from Windows Vista esque setup screens to ultra modern Windows 11 setup screens and back again multiple times before it is completed. Seems very out of date at times and woudl be rightly confusing to new users.
The “Get Windows” Feature
Accessing Windows 11 on ARM is challenging, but now VMWare has a solution designed to simplify the process. "Get Windows' has been developed to not only download Windows automatically but also to configure it with essential drivers for seamless networking and graphics support within your virtual machine. Just open the virtual machine wizard, select “Get Windows,” choose Windows 11, specify your edition and language, and VMware Fusion will fetch the latest Windows 11 image directly from Microsoft.
Once downloaded, the image is reusable, sparing users the frustration of searching for the right ISO and offering a streamlined, efficient setup experience.
Installing Windows 11 on a Mac Studio in VMware Fusion
This is a slide show of all the screens captured during installation.
Belkin USB-C Multimedia Hub with Gigabit Ethernet and HDMI
I needed the Swiss army knife of USB-C connectors to get my Internet connection going to complete the installation. Once completed and after running Windows update I no longer needed this and it may not be needed at all anymore.
Standard Windows Setup
This screen hasn't changed for years and looks outdated.
Review and Press 'Next'.
More old school Windows Setup?
Press 'Install now'
Darker, starting Windows Setup
Theres a black background with text saying 'Setup is starting' and a new old style hour glass.
Another, newer Windows Setup
Its a third distinctive user experience with a different theme.
Perhaps it knows a bit more about my display settings
New Windows Setup
Choose 'Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)'.
Read the note. This is a new install so the best choice.
Create a drive for Windows using VMware first
Choose the Primary partition you created and click Next.
This might take a while
Wait for this to complete.
United Kingdom
It was pre-selected, click Yes.
Scottish Gaelic
It was pre-selected, I selected United Kingdom and clicked Yes.
VMware Ethernet Settings
I selected Ethernet.
Network
My network is connected.
This is why I needed an external Etherhet adapter.
Checking for updates
Yet another UI.
Let's name your device
I chose vm-win11-arm so I know what this is from the name.
How would you like to set up this device
An interesting question!
How would you like to set up this device
I chose 'Set up for personal use'
Sign in with a Microsoft account
I don't really object to this on other platforms,
but Windows has never asked for this before.
Let's add your Microsoft account
Sign in, I'll use my msn account I've had since msn began.
Set up a PIN
Not just any old PIN, a Windows Hello PIN.
Let Microsoft and apps use your location
Location-based experiences require this, lets try it.
Find my device
Not going to be easy to lose a VMware virtual machine but anyway.
Send diagnostic data to Microsoft
Required only.
Improve inking & typing
No.
Get tailored experiences with diagnostic data
Ugh. No.
Let apps use advertising ID
No.
Let's customise your experience
Unselected all.
Use your Android phone from your PC
Scan the QR Code (omitted).
Confirm it's your phone
Enter the verification code from your phone.
Your Microsoft account and phone are now linked
Press 'Next'.
Back up your files with OneDrive
Press 'Next'.
Free trial of Microsoft 365
Press 'Decline'.
Get 100 GB more OneDrive storage
Press 'Decline'.
Hi
Getting things ready for you
This might take a few minutes
Almost there
Windows 11
Windows 11
Windows 11 System
VMware20,1
About Windows 11 System
Processor is from Apple, 64-bit, ARM-based.
About Windows 11 System
Processor is from Apple, 64-bit, ARM-based.
Welcome to Edge
You're almost set up!
Always have access to your recent browsing data
Selected 'Don't allow'!
Let's make the web work for you
Selected 'Don't allow'!
Get rewarded for searching in Microsoft Edge
Selected 'No'!
Express yourself by customising Microsoft Edge
Chose 'Sunny Day'!
Get to the sites you love right from your Windows taskbar
Unselected all, Chose 'Finish'!
Microsoft cares about your privacy
Chose 'Reject All'!
Not the right language
Chose 'Save'
Search the web
At last!
Search the web
Its done!
But wait, 'Your Phone' needs an update
We are getting the update redy for you...
Phone Link
Hold on while we get your devices ready...
Phone Link
What's New...
Leave your phone in your pocket
Make and take calls right from your PC. Give it a try today!
Phone Link - My Devices
I connected my Google Pixel phone as my prmry phone!
Phone Link - Messages
Text messages right on my Windows PC. (redacted)!
Phone Link - Photos
Phone photos right on my Windows PC.
Phone Link - Photos The Cure at Wembley!
Phone photos right on my Windows PC.
Phone Link - Settings
Phone photos right on my Windows PC.
Phone Link - Version number
Phone photos right on my Windows PC.
Activation
I upgraded a Windows 7 key, which worked for me but doesn't work anymore. My Windows 11 installation is fully activated. You can read more about how you might activate Windows in this article Find your Windows product key
What is it like in use
Fast. Seems much faster than an equivalent Intel VMware Fusion virtual machine. I relise that is subjective but it really feels fast. I've installed Chrome for Windows Arm, and that just runs perfectly with my profile and all my extensions syncing nicely. But clearly x86 apps are not going to run so you'll need to be careful to find Arm executables for the Windows apps you need.
