Are you an Apple fan and are tech products from the company your number one interest? The answer would most probably be yes. However, you remember your “Microsoft” days and want to install a Windows 10 on your recently purchased M1 Mac. Well, that’s entirely possible thanks to technology and the dawn of powerful applications. Yes, Apple’s operating system as well as that of Microsoft can be installed on a single device.

Even though Mac does not have the support to install x86 Windows, you can still install Windows for the ARM on the device. With the help of the Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac, it’s really easy. Reliable internet packages like Cox internet plans will aid you in the installation process with ease. Read about how you can install Windows 10 on your M1 Mac below.

Step #: Download Parallels Desktop 16 App

The first step is to download the Parallels Desktop 16 application on your M1 Mac. It’s a universal app and works for all Apple and Intel products. This version of the application comes with many fixes and does not have the bugs from previous versions. It’s a stable application and you won’t face any issues during the installation process.

Step #2: Become a Windows Insider

The next step is to become a Windows Insider. For this, you will need to visit www.insider.windows.com/en-us/visitor. This is necessary so that you can download an authorized version of Windows 10 on ARM Insider Preview.

Step #3: Download Windows 10

Now that you have created an account on Windows Insider, it is time to download Windows 10. Remember that you will need to download it for ARM-based machines. Examples are the M1 Macbook, Mac mini, and MacBook Air. You can download Windows 10 directly from Microsoft’s website. You will need to log in from your Windows Insider account to download the Windows.

Step #4: Configure Windows 10

Now that you have download Windows 10 for ARM-based machines, it is time to configure it before starting the installation process. Open the Parallels app and click on “Install” on the ARM window. Now, the “Create New” window will appear. Click on “Install Windows”. You can also install Windows 10 using a DVD or image file as well. If you have a DVD or an image file, click on their corresponding options to continue the installation process.

Step #5: Manual Configuration of the Operating System

You may be required to perform this step manually. Normally, the Parallels app detects the Windows 10 VHDX file that you have already downloaded. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to click on “Choose Manually” in the installation window. Here, import the Windows 10 VHDX file to the window after clicking on “Select Installation Image”. Next, click on “Productivity” and select the “I will primarily use Windows for” option and proceed. Now, keep the default settings on the “Name and Location” window. However, you can change them based on your preferences. After this, uncheck “Create alias” in the next window. And before clicking on “Create”, check the “Customize settings” option before installation.

Now, the application will create a virtual machine. This will take some time. You will need to dedicate some memory and CPU cores to it. Click on the “Hardware” tab to do so. Adjust the settings to your liking. It is recommended to dedicate half of the cores and half of the memory to the virtual machine. For example, if you have 8 GB of memory space on your device, it is advised to provide 4 GB to the virtual machine. Similarly, allocate 4 CPU cores to the virtual machine if you have a system with 8 CPU cores.

Step #6: Install Windows 10

The configuration is done. It is time to proceed with the installation of Windows 10 on your M1 Mac. Be patient as this will take some time.

Step #7: Create a Parallels Account

You will receive an “Installation Complete” message once the installation process is complete. Now, you have to sign in to your Parallels account to proceed. The company does provide a 14-day trial to test the services. However, if you plan on using the application for an extended period of time, you will need to enter their subscription services. You can choose a plan that suits your needs. The cheapest package starts at $79.99.

Conclusion

The process is quite simple and does not require extensive technical knowledge for execution. You can easily follow the instructions above to download the Parallels app, install Windows 10 for ARM-based machines, and create a virtual experience on your device.