Microsoft introduced the successor to Windows 10 at the end of June 2021. Windows 11 offers many improvements, as well as a well-designed interface and new functions.
But for Mac users who want to use Windows, there’s bad news: Until now, as long as you weren’t using a Mac M1, it was relatively easy to install Windows on a Mac, either through Boot Camp or using virtualization software like Parallel or VMware. But with Windows 11, that could change.
According to Microsoft’s system requirements, not only do you need a relatively new computer, but it must offer a security module called TPM, which Macs do not have.
Microsoft also requires a graphics card with DirectX 12. Virtualization solutions like Parallels only support the previous version, DirectX 11.
Not only Mac users are being left out: the high system requirements also surprised Windows fans, as almost all Windows PCs with a pre-2017 processor are not compatible with Windows 11 – including some. Microsoft models like the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Studio 2.
It is not known how rigorously Microsoft will enforce the aforementioned system requirements. The first Windows 11 Insider Preview (beta) has yet to be released.
But you are a Mac user, what does it mean to you if you expected to be able to run Windows 11 on your Mac?
At the moment, there is a lot that is unclear, even virtualization software makers like Parallels have not been able to clarify things in their opening statements.
Here are some preliminary questions and answers to issues associated with running Windows 11 on a Mac. We will expand on this article as we learn more.
You may also read: Best Virtual Machines To Install Windows On Mac.
What is a TPM module?
The TPM (also known as the Trusted Platform Module) is a security chip, similar to Apple’s T2 security chip, which ensures secure encryption and a secure connection.
In newer processors, this security chip is already integrated, and in some older devices, or on motherboards without TPM, it can be adapted. Asus motherboards, for example, can easily be upgraded with an all-in-one TPM. Other PCs can activate an inactive TPM via BIOS or UEFI (also TPM, fTPM or PTT).
Do Macs have a TPM?
With the new Intel processors on some Macs, the chip is really integrated, but it is inactive. At the moment, there is no way to enable this feature on the Mac.
Unlike what happens on many Windows computers, where it is possible to activate it. In theory, that could change in the future, but with Apple phasing out Intel processors, the outlook is not good.
What are the system requirements for Windows 11?
1 GHz processor with at least two cores, 64-bit processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage space, UEFI, DirectX 12 graphics card with WDDM 2.0 driver, 720p by 9-inch display. There are additional requirements for specific functionality.
Windows 11 Virtualization on Mac Intel: Will it Work?
Windows 11 should be usable on Parallels, VMware, and Virtual Box on Intel Macs. It turns out that you can replicate a TPM on the Software – for VMware this is called vTPM, while with Parallels you can enable TPM in Pro versions.
Windows 11 virtualization on Mac M1: will it work?
There will be an ARM version of Windows 11 and the ARM version of Windows should work on M1 Macs. Parallels can now run Windows ARM beta, as well as the ability to emulate Windows x86 on a Mac M1 with the Qemu open source emulator and virtualizer (with poor performance).
Regarding the replication of TPMs required by Windows 11 on M1 Macs, Parallels states: “The use of TPMs in Parallels Desktop virtual machines running on a Mac computer with an Apple M1 chip will be introduced in future updates. day ”.
Support for DirectX 12 should also arrive on time.
Note that the specific hardware requirements for the ARM version of Windows 11 are not yet known.
Will Windows 11 work in Boot Camp?
An installation via Boot Camp will only be possible if Apple supports it on older Intel Macs running Boot Camp (Boot Camp does not exist on M1 Macs).
When will Windows 11 be available?
Windows 11 will be released in late 2021, according to Microsoft. The first internal previews (beta) will be available shortly.
When will Windows 11 for ARM be available?
As with Windows 10, there will likely be an ARM version of Windows 11 for OEM customers and a developer version. It is not known when the purchase version will be available.
Why don’t Microsoft and Apple ensure compatibility?
There is no statement from Apple or Microsoft on compatibility. The compatibility of the offer is complex and brings little benefit to one or the other company.
For example, a Mac user with a Windows system no longer purchases from Apple’s App Store, but from Microsoft’s. Microsoft also doesn’t get the ability to run Windows on a Mac.
What will happen to Windows 10?
Windows 11 is the official successor to Windows 10. According to Microsoft, Windows 10 will continue to benefit from update support until 2025.
However, Windows 10 will likely continue to be used for much longer on older computers. According to Statcounter, even Windows 7, which no longer enjoys update support, still has a 15.5% market share.
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