Windows program on MacOS

Hi, I'm an installer of security and fire prevention systems. The programming software for the systems provided to me by the parent company is exclusively for Windows systems. Is it possible to use it on a Macbook in some way? Thank you.

MacBook Air (M2, 2023)

Posted on Jul 22, 2024 11:44 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 22, 2024 12:04 PM

Your tag line says that you have a M2 MacBook Air.


There is no way to run "regular" Intel versions of Windows on an Apple Silicon Mac. Apple Silicon processors speak a completely different underlying machine code than Intel or AMD ones.


Apple Silicon Macs don't support Boot Camp, and can't dual-boot Windows 11 for ARM as a host operating system. However, the current version of Parallels Desktop can run Windows 11 for ARM within an ARM virtual machine.


Windows 11 for ARM can run some WIndows/Intel applications, using its own Intel emulation or translation code, but there is some overhead, and there are limitations. For instance, I believe that it cannot run Intel-only device drivers – a limitation which might be relevant to your intended use.


I would suggest that you carefully investigate before proceeding. It may be that the best tool for this job is a cheap Windows laptop (even if you only use it for installing these security systems, and not for any regular work).

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 22, 2024 12:04 PM in response to Lucaaaaaaaa

Your tag line says that you have a M2 MacBook Air.


There is no way to run "regular" Intel versions of Windows on an Apple Silicon Mac. Apple Silicon processors speak a completely different underlying machine code than Intel or AMD ones.


Apple Silicon Macs don't support Boot Camp, and can't dual-boot Windows 11 for ARM as a host operating system. However, the current version of Parallels Desktop can run Windows 11 for ARM within an ARM virtual machine.


Windows 11 for ARM can run some WIndows/Intel applications, using its own Intel emulation or translation code, but there is some overhead, and there are limitations. For instance, I believe that it cannot run Intel-only device drivers – a limitation which might be relevant to your intended use.


I would suggest that you carefully investigate before proceeding. It may be that the best tool for this job is a cheap Windows laptop (even if you only use it for installing these security systems, and not for any regular work).

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Windows program on MacOS

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