How to install Windows 11 on an Apple Silicon Mac
Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4 and newer) cannot use Boot Camp, but they run Windows 11 for Arm very well in a virtual machine. This guide shows the simplest way to do it.
Before you start
Boot Camp only works on Intel Macs. On Apple Silicon, Windows runs in a virtual machine — a complete Windows PC inside a Mac window. Windows 11 on Arm runs native Arm apps and also emulates most x86 and x64 apps.
- A Mac with Apple Silicon and macOS 14 or later
- The Windows 11 ARM64 ISO from Microsoft (not the x64 ISO)
- About 64 GB of free disk space or more
- A Windows license according to Microsoft's terms
Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ARM64 ISO
Open Microsoft's official page "Download Windows 11 for Arm-based PCs", choose the edition and language, and download the ISO. Our Windows 11 ARM ISO guide explains each option.
Step 2: Install WinDock and choose the ISO
Download WinDock from the Mac App Store and open it. Choose the ISO you downloaded. WinDock checks the file and your free space, then creates the virtual machine — no settings to configure.
Step 3: Complete Windows Setup
Windows Setup starts in the WinDock window. Follow the prompts to choose your region, keyboard and account. After the first sign-in, Windows restarts once automatically to switch to high-resolution display. This is normal.
Step 4: Connect your Mac
After you sign in again, your chosen Mac folder appears in File Explorer as the Download(Mac) drive, the clipboard works in both directions and you can drag files from Finder into Windows. See sharing files between Mac and Windows.
Tips for a smooth experience
- Keep enough free disk space for Windows updates.
- Install the Arm64 version of an app when the vendor offers one; it runs faster than an emulated x64 app.
- Back up important files from the shared folder before large changes.
- Test the apps you rely on during the free trial.
Troubleshooting
- "This ISO can't be used": make sure you downloaded the ARM64 ISO, not the x64 one.
- Setup is slow: Windows Setup can take 15–30 minutes depending on your Mac.
- The shared drive is missing after the first sign-in: Windows restarts once during setup; sign in again and wait a moment.
- An app does not start: apps that need special drivers, anti-cheat or heavy 3D graphics may not run in a virtual machine.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windows 11 free on a Mac?
Microsoft provides the Windows 11 ISO as a free download, but using Windows is subject to Microsoft's license terms. WinDock does not include a Windows license.
How long does the installation take?
Usually 15–30 minutes, plus the time to download the ISO.
Can I run x64 Windows programs?
Yes, most of them. Windows 11 on Arm emulates x86 and x64 programs automatically.
How much RAM do I need?
8 GB works for light use; 16 GB or more gives a smoother experience when Windows and macOS run side by side.
WinDock
WinDock creates and runs a Windows 11 ARM virtual machine for you. Choose a Windows ISO from Microsoft and WinDock handles the rest — the virtual machine, Windows Setup, the display driver and the connection to your Mac files.