How to Run Windows 11 for FREE on Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4) Using UTM

The era of effortlessly running Windows on a Mac via Apple's Boot Camp is over for newer computers. Apple no longer supports the dual-boot utility on any Mac equipped with an Apple Silicon M-series chip (M1, M2, M3, or M4). For users needing to run Windows, the future is virtualization.

While industry leaders like Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion offer polished solutions, there is an excellent free, open-source alternative known as UTM. UTM acts as a user-friendly graphical interface (GUI) for the powerful QEMU emulator, making it straightforward to install and run the official ARM version of Windows 11 on your M-series Mac.

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Prerequisites: What You Need to Get Started

1. Download the UTM Application (The Free QEMU GUI)

UTM bundles the open-source QEMU emulator into a simple, macOS-native app. You have two options for downloading:

• Free Download: Get it directly from the developer's website. Note that this version requires you to manually check for and install future updates.
• Paid Version ($10): Purchase it from the Mac App Store. This version supports the project's development and provides automatic updates via the App Store.

The application is initially small, but expect the installed app to take up about 1.1 GB of space once copied to your Applications folder.

2. Download Windows 11 for ARM (FREE)

Since your Mac uses an ARM-based chip (M-series), you must install the ARM version of Windows. Microsoft offers a free, official way to obtain this version:

• Join the Windows Insider Program and download the free preview version of Windows 11 for ARM.

This file is a VHDX or ISO image that is typically over 10 GB. Ensure you have at least 100 GB of free disk space on your Mac before starting the download to accommodate UTM, Windows, and room for macOS updates.

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Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Windows VM in UTM

Phase 1: Configure the Virtual Machine

1. Launch the UTM application.

1. Click Create a New Virtual Machine (or the + icon in the toolbar).
2. Select Virtualize. Since you are using the ARM version of Windows 11, you want to run the software natively (Virtualize), not emulate an Intel chip (Emulate, which would be significantly slower).

1. Select Windows as the operating system.
2. Check Import VHDX Image. In the Boot ISO Image section, click Browse and select the Windows 11 ARM VHDX file you downloaded earlier. Click Continue.

1. Memory and CPU Cores: Choose the amount of memory and CPU cores to dedicate to the VM. The defaults are generally a good starting point, and you can adjust these later if you find Windows runs too slowly. Click Continue.

1. Storage: The default is usually 64 GB, which is sufficient for most users. You can lower this size if needed, but do not go much below 20 GB. Click Continue.

1. Shared Directory: Click Browse to select or create a folder on your Mac that will be shared with the Windows VM. This is essential for transferring files between the two operating systems.

1. Summary: Give your Virtual Machine a clear name (e.g., "Windows 11 ARM VM"). Click Save.

Phase 2: Install Windows and SPICE Guest Tools

1. In the UTM main window, click the large arrow to launch the virtual machine.

1. Capture the Mouse: When the Windows setup screens appear, click the Capture Mouse Cursor button in the UTM toolbar to allow your cursor to work inside the VM window. (To release it later, hold down Control + Option.)
2. Bypass Network Requirement (if needed): Windows 11 setup often requires an internet connection. If you hit a snag, restart the VM. On the language selection screen, press Shift + F10 to open the Command Prompt, type OOBE\BYPASSNRO, and press Enter. The VM will restart and allow you to select the "Continue with limited setup" option later.

1. Complete Windows Setup: Follow the prompts to select your language, set up a user account, and create a password. You will eventually arrive at the Windows desktop.

1. Install SPICE Guest Tools: You need this software for network access, clipboard sharing, and other features. The image is already mounted as a CD drive within the VM. Go to My Computer (or This PC) in Windows, find the mounted CD drive, and launch spice-guest-tools-xxx.exe.
2. Reboot: After the SPICE tools installation is complete, reboot your virtual machine.

Your Windows 11 VM should now have network access and be ready for use.

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Important Considerations for Windows ARM on Mac

• Software Compatibility: Windows 11 for ARM includes a built-in emulator for running most standard Intel-native (x86/x64) Windows apps. Many basic apps should work seamlessly. However, more complex software (like certain video games, antivirus, or specialized utilities) may not work until the developer creates an ARM-native version.
• Speed: Using the Virtualize option is highly recommended as it uses the M-series chip natively. If you choose to Emulate the Intel version of Windows, expect significantly slower performance.
• Functionality: While UTM is powerful, it is open-source and free, meaning it may lack some of the premium features of commercial virtualizers, such as seamless drag-and-drop file transfer. However, copy and paste text between macOS and Windows is enabled thanks to the SPICE Guest Tools.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 😊

Q: Why can't I use Boot Camp on my M1/M2/M3 Mac?

Boot Camp, Apple's built-in dual-boot utility, is not supported on Macs with Apple Silicon (M-series) chips. Boot Camp was designed exclusively for Intel-based Macs. To run Windows on an M-series Mac, you must use virtualization software like UTM, Parallels, or VMware.

Q: What is the difference between Virtualize and Emulate in UTM?

• Virtualize: Runs software designed for the M-series chip's architecture (ARM). This is the fastest method, and you must use the Windows 11 ARM version.
• Emulate: Runs software designed for a different architecture (e.g., Intel/x86). This is significantly slower because the Mac has to translate all instructions, but it allows you to run Intel Windows if necessary (though not recommended for general use).

Q: How can I update the free version of UTM?

The free version downloaded from the developer's site does not have a built-in updater. To update UTM, you must manually check the UTM GitHub page, download the new version's disk image, and replace the existing UTM app in your Applications folder.

Q: Are there any compatibility issues with the Windows 11 ARM version?

While Windows 11 ARM can emulate most basic Intel (x86/x64) apps, some complex software, like high-end video games, specialized security tools, or deep system utilities, may not work or may perform poorly until the developer releases an ARM-native version.