💻 No Boot Camp on Apple Silicon: What Are Your Options for Running Windows on M1–M4 Macs?

For years, Mac users had the option of installing Windows directly onto their machines using Boot Camp. This allowed for true dual-boot setups — perfect for professionals, students, and gamers who needed access to both macOS and Windows.

But if you’ve recently upgraded to a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, or M4 chips), you may have noticed something missing.

🚫 Boot Camp is Gone — Here’s Why

Let’s get straight to it:
Boot Camp is no longer available on Apple Silicon Macs. Apple dropped support for it starting with the M1 chip in 2020, and that hasn’t changed through the latest M4 models.

That’s because Apple Silicon is built on ARM architecture, which is fundamentally different from Intel’s x86 design. Windows for ARM exists, but:

  • Microsoft does not officially license ARM Windows for general installation on Apple hardware.

  • Apple does not provide firmware, drivers, or hardware-level support for native Windows installation on Apple Silicon.

So, dual-booting Windows directly on the hardware is no longer an option.

⚙️ So What Are Your Options?

Although Boot Camp is gone, there are still excellent ways to run Windows on your Apple Silicon Mac — especially using virtualization.

1. Parallels Desktop (Recommended)

Parallels is the most polished and widely supported way to run Windows 11 on Apple Silicon Macs.

  • Fully supports Windows 11 ARM edition

  • Fast performance, seamless integration

  • Run Windows apps alongside macOS apps

  • Officially authorized by Microsoft for ARM Windows use

  • Great for Office, development, finance tools, and light games

MyMac Tip: If you need Windows regularly for work or study, Parallels is your best bet. We can install and configure it for you at our store or remotely.

2. UTM (Free Alternative)

UTM is an open-source virtual machine app based on QEMU. It’s more technical, but:

  • Free to use

  • Supports Windows ARM and other OSes

  • Slower than Parallels, with fewer features

  • Good for experimenting or hobbyist projects

3. Cloud-Based Windows (e.g., Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop)

For enterprise users or those who need access to Windows from anywhere:

  • Use a remote Windows desktop hosted in the cloud

  • Access from your Mac via browser or Remote Desktop client

  • Fast and scalable for teams

Perfect for business environments, but requires stable internet and subscription costs.

⚠️ Things to Consider

  • Not all Windows apps are ARM-compatible. Most popular apps (Chrome, Office, Zoom, etc.) run fine, but some legacy apps may not.

  • Gaming is limited. Apple Silicon can handle lightweight titles via virtualization, but high-end Windows gaming still works best on native PCs or cloud gaming services.

  • Licensing is key. Windows 11 ARM licensing is available through Parallels with a Microsoft account.

✅ Final Recommendation from MyMac Computer

If you’ve switched to an M1, M2, M3, or M4 Mac and still need access to Windows:

Use Parallels Desktop for the best experience.
It’s fast, easy to use, and officially supported by Microsoft.

We at MyMac Computer can help you choose the right virtualization solution, install and configure Windows, and ensure your Mac runs both macOS and Windows software seamlessly.

Need Help Setting It Up?

Whether you’re a student, professional, or business user — our team is here to make it easy.

📍 Visit our store
🛠️ Book a setup session
💬 Or chat with one of our Apple specialists today!

Running Windows on your Mac isn’t impossible — it’s just different now.