To run Windows 11 on your machine you need to have support for Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 built into the machine’s motherboard. Something which many Macs built before 2014 don’t have and therefore aren’t compatible to run Windows 11. However, some Intel Macs have a TPM built into them, enabling them to run Windows 11. Here are a list of Intel Macs that can support Windows 11:
- MacBook (Retina, 12″ 2017)
- MacBook Air (13″ 2017)
- MacBook Pro (15″ 2016)
- MacBook Pro (13″ 2016, 4 & 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- Mac Mini (2018)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- iMac (Retina 5K, 27″ 2017)
- iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5″ 2017)
- iMac (21.5″ 2017)
- Mac Pro (2019)
In order to officially support Windows 11, users would have to use ‘Parallels’, allowing you to install Windows 11 on a Mac. It is able to do this as it simulates the TPM Module, so you can install Windows 11 on both Intel and M1 chip Macs.
How to Install
Follow these instructions to run Windows 11 on your Apple Mac
- Download and install ‘Parallels’ for Mac
- If operating on an Intel Mac download an ‘ISO image of Windows 11’ from Microsoft. If on an M1 Mac download ‘ISO image of the Insider Preview Windows 11 for ARM‘ from Microsoft, you’ll need to sign up for the Windows Insider program in order to do this. Choose the Beta version, if that isn’t available use the ‘Development version’.
- Open Parallels Installation Assistant, when asked upload the Windows 11 ISO Installation image
- When asked for the license key, untick the ‘Enter Windows license key for faster installation’ to skip
- Next select ‘Windows 11 Pro Edition’
- Parallels will then ask you to select what you use Windows for (Productivity, Gaming, Business, etc…)
- Name your installation and begin installing
The process for installation can take a while, once complete Parallels will run macOS and Windows 11 in ‘Coherence Mode’ meaning the two will work simultaneously. They can be changed to work separately in ‘Windowed Mode’ if your preference is to keep the two separate.
