Want to run Windows on a Mac in 2026? This is absolutely possible, but the method of installing the system depends on whether you have a computer with an Intel or Apple Silicon system. We explain when to choose Boot Camp, when to choose Parallels Desktop, and when to choose Windows 365.
Windows on Mac – how to deal with it in 2026?
Even before systems marked with the letter “M” appeared on the market, Mac users with Intel had two options for using Windows – Boot Camp or Parallels. Today the situation is slightly different. It all starts with a question: whether you have a Mac with Intel or Apple Silicon. This determines whether it is a classic “dual boot” or rather a virtual machine or cloud.
First, check what Mac you have
If you have Mac with Intelyou can still use Boot Camp Assistanti.e. Apple’s tools for installing Windows alongside macOS. This solution allows you to switch between systems after restarting your computer. The previously mentioned solution will also work on a Mac with Intel Parallels Desktop.
If you have A Mac that appeared on the market in 2020 or later will most likely have an Apple Silicon chip at its heart. (M1, M2, M3, M4 or M5). Then, unfortunately, you will not be able to use Boot Camp. Apple no longer offers the classic “dual boot” path here. In practice, there are usually two solutions: Parallels Desktop with Windows 11 Arm or Windows 365 Cloud PC.
Let’s analyze the available solutions.
Option 1: Boot Camp on Mac with Intel
This is still the most “PC” method, but only for older Macs with Intel. Boot Camp allows you to install Windows on a separate partition and run it natively, i.e. without the virtualization layer. This means better access to hardware resources and usually a more sensible solution for older games, tools that require full performance or programs that do not handle virtual environments well (for example, some games with anti-cheat, older applications using their own drivers or specialized software that works with USB keys and non-standard hardware).
However, it must be clearly stated that this solution is somewhat outdated today. Apple officially supports here Windows 10not Windows 11. This means that Boot Camp makes sense today mainly if you already have an older Intel Mac and really, really need Windows to run natively. Otherwise, it is no longer a particularly promising solution, especially since the system has no longer been supported since October 2025.
Option 2: Parallels Desktop
For most modern Mac users, this is the best solution today. Parallels Desktop runs on both Apple Silicon Macs and Intel Macs. In the case of the former, the tool replaces the former Boot Camp as the main way to run Windows locally. Even Microsoft officially names Parallels as an authorized startup solution Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise in Arm version on Macs with Apple chips.
By choosing this solution, you do not have to restart your computer to run it with a different operating system. Windows runs as a virtual machine alongside macOS, so you can use apps from both worlds at the same time.
However, you need to remember one thing: you run on Apple Silicon Windows 11 Armnot the classic Windows x86. These are simply two versions of Windows prepared for different processor architectures – Arm for Apple Silicon chips, a x86/x64 for typical computers with Intel and AMD processors. Many x64 applications (the 64-bit version of this classic “PC” architecture) work today thanks to emulation, but not everything will be equally problem-free. Problems may concern some drivers, games, anti-cheat systems or older software that requires direct access to drivers or specific hardware components.
Option 3: Windows 365 Cloud PC
The third option is yet another approach. In practice, you do not install Windows locally, but connect to your own Windows environment running in the cloud. This scenario makes sense especially when you work in a company, need a specific corporate environment, have a stable connection and want to avoid compatibility problems with local virtualization. This is a subscription service aimed mainly at businesses, and not a typical consumer product like a one-time Windows license for Parallels.
The disadvantages are obvious: subscription, dependence on the Internet and less sense that the system works here and now. However, if your goal is to simply access Windows on your Mac without messing around with drivers, images, compatibility, and manual tweaks, the cloud can be very convenient. This is an especially sensible option in a corporate environment and on Macs with Apple Silicon.
Option 4: Your own virtual machine
There is another way: a free virtual machine. You can run Windows on a Mac without paying for Parallels, for example via UTM or VMware Fusion. However, this solution usually requires more technical knowledge and more patience with configuration. So if you just want to quickly install Windows and start working, Parallels will be more convenient. However, if you like to mess around a bit and want to reduce the costs to zero, free options certainly exist.
