Windows 11 ARM - I'm Confused!

J

JamesB14

Bit poster
Sorry to be such a dunce here, but after over an hour dorking around on the Microsoft web site I'm more confused than when I started. I've got several questions. I tried their virtual assistant, but that wasted another 15 minutes of my time waiting......... I gave up.

1. Is the ARM version of Windows 11 still considered an "insider preview only" version, or is there a regular, ready for prime time version out there? I have the "Insider Preview" version on Win 11 running on my Mac M1 mini. It keeps asking me to register my license. OK - I don't mind doing that, but when I click their button to buy a license, it takes me to a Microsoft page to buy Win 11 Pro to the tune of $199, which isn't gonna happen in my lifetime. Is there any way possible to migrate from this Insider Preview to a "normal/home" version of Win 11 ARM, if one exists?

2. I've seen instructions here on the Parallels web site about how to create a new Win 11 ARM virtual machine and get a license, but the screen shots seem to show that when you go to the MS web site, you are pointing at an Intel version of Win 11 - how do you get to the ARM version?

Thanks, Jim
 
JamesB14 said:
Sorry to be such a dunce here, but after over an hour dorking around on the Microsoft web site I'm more confused than when I started. I've got several questions. I tried their virtual assistant, but that wasted another 15 minutes of my time waiting......... I gave up.

1. Is the ARM version of Windows 11 still considered an "insider preview only" version, or is there a regular, ready for prime time version out there? I have the "Insider Preview" version on Win 11 running on my Mac M1 mini. It keeps asking me to register my license. OK - I don't mind doing that, but when I click their button to buy a license, it takes me to a Microsoft page to buy Win 11 Pro to the tune of $199, which isn't gonna happen in my lifetime. Is there any way possible to migrate from this Insider Preview to a "normal/home" version of Win 11 ARM, if one exists?

2. I've seen instructions here on the Parallels web site about how to create a new Win 11 ARM virtual machine and get a license, but the screen shots seem to show that when you go to the MS web site, you are pointing at an Intel version of Win 11 - how do you get to the ARM version?

Thanks, Jim
Click to expand...

Hello Jim,

To avoid issues, kindly use the Parallels Desktop automatic installer to set up your Windows virtual machine.

With this, Parallels Desktop will handle the prerequisite Windows iso download and installation for you.

Kindly follow the steps below to create a Windows 11 virtual machine on your MacBook.

  1. Launch Parallels Desktop.
  2. Click on the Parallels icon in the Mac menu bar > Control Center > click on the + sign on the top right corner of Control Center
  3. Wait for the installation assistant window to come up and select "Get Windows 11 from Microsoft".
  4. On the "Download and Install Windows 11" page, click the "Install Windows" button.
  5. Windows will begin downloading, wait for it to finish.
  6. Parallels Desktop Installation assistant will begin installing windows, please wait for the process to complete.
  7. When the installation is complete, you will be presented with the Microsoft EULA. Click I accept to complete the process.
  8. Wait till Parallels Tools installs on your virtual machine an then reboot your machine.
 
If you want a "normal" ARM ISO of Windows 11, simply go to uupdump.net, select the version you want to download (Intel or ARM), download the ISO and install. Or you can take the really easy, no-sweat, over and done method and let Parallels install Win11 for you. It's right there in the program, ready and waiting for you to click on "Download and Install Windows 11". You will have to install your own license (naturally) as Parallels does not include (or sell) MS licenses.
From your post, it appears that you do not have an existing license for Win11 Pro. Unfortunately, you're going to have to purchase one either from MS or a licensed reseller.
 
Adeboye - thank you for the reply and detailed procedure for me to follow to get Windows 11 ARM on my new MacBook Pro. I will pick it up later today.
That hopefully will get the correct version installed on the NEW machine. However, I still have my Mac mini running the Insider Preview version that I want to migrate to a paid / registered version of Win 11 ARM. If I create a new virtual machine, yes I can follow the above procedure to install Win 11 ARM but that does not get my applications and data moved over from the Insider Preview VM. Is there any way to "upgrade" that preview version to a paid version, or am I basically screwed and have to start from scratch on a new VM?
 
On second thought - I will transfer the Parallels license to the new MacBook Pro and get rid of the Insider Preview version of Win 11 on this Mac mini. Very few files there and only a couple apps to re-install. Not worth the grief. So, thanks for the assistance.
Lets close this thread.
Jim
 
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