Hi cpu usage for windows 11 in coherence on mac M1

S

StephaneV

Bit poster
I've just updated to macOS 26 and I was noticing a very high GPU usage when I'm running Windows 11 Pro 24H2 for ARM.
When I use Windows full screen, the GPU usage almost drops to zero.
I mostly use Parallel in Coherence mode, so it's a bit of a downer.
Am I the only one with this issue?
 
StephaneV said:
I've just updated to macOS 26 and I was noticing a very high GPU usage when I'm running Windows 11 Pro 24H2 for ARM.
When I use Windows full screen, the GPU usage almost drops to zero.
I mostly use Parallel in Coherence mode, so it's a bit of a downer.
Am I the only one with this issue?
Click to expand...
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out.
We have created a ticket to assist you with this issue and will contact you at en***@ya**.com with further updates.
Best regards.
 
I'm having the same issue with MacOS 26, Parallels 26 Pro & Windows 11 24H2
Coherence mode drives GPU usage to 65-80% consistently and pretty much kills my battery life. Switching to windowed mode lets GPU usage go back down to 2%.
 
Cyclade said:
I'm having the same issue with MacOS 26, Parallels 26 Pro & Windows 11 24H2
Coherence mode drives GPU usage to 65-80% consistently and pretty much kills my battery life. Switching to windowed mode lets GPU usage go back down to 2%.
Click to expand...
Yes. I see something similar with the latest update of macOS, Windows 11 and Parallels 26 Pro. It's so much an issue, that I have gone back to using windows and fullscreen to much annoyance.
 
MagnusM said:
Yes. I see something similar with the latest update of macOS, Windows 11 and Parallels 26 Pro. It's so much an issue, that I have gone back to using windows and fullscreen to much annoyance.
Click to expand...
I sent the tech log to support and they have sent it for code review. I reproduced it on the macOS 26.0.1 released today as well.
 
I have the same issue. Fans get loud, Macbook pro M4 Max gets very hot.
Issues started after upgrading to MacOs 26.
 
The following workaround provided by support seems to help. I think we are hitting the Electron bug in MacOS Tahoe that is affecting many apps. Disabling Drop Shadows on the VMM works around it.

a. Shutdown the Virtual Machine (Click on the "Actions" menu on top of the Mac menu bar > Shutdown).
b. Right-click on the Parallels icon in the Dock > Control Center > Right-click on your virtual machine > Show in finder
c. Right-click on the .pvm File > Show Package Contents > Right-click on the "Config.pvs" file > Open with Text edit
d. Press "Command + F" to Find "DisableDropShadow>0</DisableDropShadow>" Modify the 0 to 1 and press [Command+S] to save the modification > Close the Config.pvs file
e. Launch your Virtual Machine > Try to reproduce the issue.
 
Cyclade said:
The following workaround provided by support seems to help. I think we are hitting the Electron bug in MacOS Tahoe that is affecting many apps. Disabling Drop Shadows on the VMM works around it.

a. Shutdown the Virtual Machine (Click on the "Actions" menu on top of the Mac menu bar > Shutdown).
b. Right-click on the Parallels icon in the Dock > Control Center > Right-click on your virtual machine > Show in finder
c. Right-click on the .pvm File > Show Package Contents > Right-click on the "Config.pvs" file > Open with Text edit
d. Press "Command + F" to Find "DisableDropShadow>0</DisableDropShadow>" Modify the 0 to 1 and press [Command+S] to save the modification > Close the Config.pvs file
e. Launch your Virtual Machine > Try to reproduce the issue.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this!
I think it slightly improved (WindowsServer GPU % averaging at 40% instead of 60%+). But my M4 Max still tends to get hot and feels more sluggish compared to when Parallels is at Full Screen. While before MacOS 26 it was just seamless.

Thank you!
Best
 
That fixed it for me while playing a game in coherence mode. Went back to 120-140 fps while before that fix I got 70-80 and the game was sluggish
 
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