Visual border and rendering lag around Start Menu in Windows 11 ARM on macOS 26 / Parallels 26.1.1

Discussion in 'Windows Virtual Machine' started by Dmitry Mercurio, Oct 10, 2025 at 12:27 AM.

  1. Dmitry Mercurio

    Dmitry Mercurio

    Messages:
    2
    After updating to macOS 26.0 (Tahoe) and Parallels Desktop 26.1.1, I've started noticing a strange border / halo effect around the Windows 11 ARM Start Menu when it's opened.
    Sometimes, when I open the Start Menu, it appears slightly shifted or misaligned for about a second, then it repositions itself correctly. The border looks like a semi-transparent frame surrounding the menu (see attached screenshot).
    This issue didn't exist on earlier versions of macOS or Parallels -- it started appearing only after updating both the host and Parallels to the latest versions.
    Setup details:
    • MacBook Pro M4 Max
      macOS 26.0
    • Parallels Desktop 26.1.1
    • Windows 11 ARM (fully updated)
    • Mode: happens both in Windowed and Coherence modes
    Tried so far:
    • Reinstalling Parallels Tools
      Checking graphics settings (auto vs Metal)
    • Restarting Windows / macOS
    • Switching display modes
    None of these changed the behavior.
    Has anyone else experienced this border / glow issue with the Start Menu in Windows 11 ARM?
    Any known workaround or fix (e.g., boot flags like video.metal=0, or disabling specific macOS window effects)?
    Thanks in advance!
    upload_2025-10-10_11-27-18.png
     

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