If you want to install Windows on a Mac, you may need to download a Windows 11 ISO file first.
The most important thing is to choose the right version for your Mac:
- Apple Silicon Macs with an M-series chip need the Arm64 version of Windows 11.
- Intel Macs need the x64 version of Windows 11.
These downloads are not interchangeable. An x64 ISO will not run normally in a virtual machine on an Apple Silicon Mac, while an Arm64 ISO is not intended for an Intel Mac.
The good news is that Microsoft now provides both versions as direct ISO downloads. There is no longer any need to join the Windows Insider Program or download a VHDX file to get Windows 11 ARM.
At the time of writing, Microsoft lists Windows 11 version 25H2 as the current public release.
| Mac type | Windows version | Official download |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Silicon (M1-M5 and newer) | Windows 11 Arm64 | Download from Microsoft |
| Intel | Windows 11 x64 | Download from Microsoft |
| Intel using Boot Camp | Windows 10 x64 | Download from Microsoft |
Important: The installation files are free to download, but this does not include a Windows licence. You can install Windows before entering a product key, but you still need a valid licence to activate and continue using it as a properly licensed copy.
Do You Actually Need To Download An ISO?
You may not need to download an ISO manually if you are using one of the most popular virtual machines for Mac.
- Parallels Desktop can automatically download and install the correct version of Windows 11 for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
- VMware Fusion Pro includes a Get Windows from Microsoft option and can also download the appropriate installer for you.
- UTM normally requires you to select an ISO during setup.
- VirtualBox normally requires an ISO. On Apple Silicon, you must use Windows 11 Arm64 and should expect more limitations than with Parallels or VMware Fusion.
- Boot Camp Assistant uses a Windows ISO, but it only works on Intel Macs and Apple officially supports Windows 10 rather than Windows 11.
If you are using Parallels or VMware Fusion, letting the software download Windows is usually the easiest option because it automatically selects the correct processor architecture.
How To Check Whether Your Mac Is Intel Or Apple Silicon
Before downloading anything, check which processor your Mac uses:
- Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen.
- Select About This Mac.
- Look for either Chip or Processor.
If it says Apple M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 or another M-series chip, you have an Apple Silicon Mac and need Windows 11 Arm64.
If it says Intel, you need the Windows 11 x64 ISO.
How To Download Windows 11 ARM On An Apple Silicon Mac
Windows 11 ARM is the version designed for Arm-based processors such as Apple’s M-series chips.
It looks and works much like Windows 11 on a PC. It can run native Arm applications and uses Microsoft’s built-in emulation to run many traditional x86 and x64 Windows programs.
However, some older applications, specialist hardware drivers and games with kernel-level anti-cheat systems may still not work.
To download the ISO:
- Go to Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 for Arm-based PCs page.
- Under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for Arm-based PCs, select the Windows 11 multi-edition ISO.
- Click Download Now.
- Select your language and click Confirm.
- Click the 64-bit Download button and save the ISO on your Mac.
Microsoft’s generated download link is only valid for 24 hours, although the ISO will continue to work after you have downloaded it.
You do not need to open or mount the ISO in Finder. When you create a new virtual machine in Parallels, VMware Fusion, UTM or VirtualBox, select the ISO as the Windows installation image.
You can then follow our full guide to install Windows 11 on an Apple Silicon Mac.
Can You Use The Standard x64 ISO On Apple Silicon?
Not for normal virtualization.
Apple Silicon Macs can virtualize Arm operating systems efficiently because the Mac and guest operating system use the same processor architecture.
Tools such as UTM can technically emulate an Intel processor and attempt to run an x64 version of Windows, but this is significantly slower and is not a practical choice for most users.
Download Windows 11 Arm64 instead. Windows 11 ARM can already run many x86 and x64 applications through its own emulation layer, which is much more efficient than emulating the entire operating system.
How To Download Windows 11 On An Intel Mac
Intel Macs use the same x64 edition of Windows 11 as most standard Windows PCs.
To download it:
- Go to Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page.
- Scroll down to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices.
- Select the Windows 11 multi-edition ISO and click Download Now.
- Choose your language and click Confirm.
- Click 64-bit Download and save the ISO on your Mac.
You can use this ISO to create a Windows 11 virtual machine in Parallels, VMware Fusion or VirtualBox.
Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, at least two processor cores, 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage. Modern virtual machines can provide a virtual TPM, so the lack of a conventional TPM chip in a Mac does not prevent Windows 11 from running in a suitably configured VM.
We recommend allowing at least 128GB of virtual storage and allocating 8GB of memory if your Mac has enough RAM. Microsoft’s minimum requirements leave little room for applications and future Windows updates.
Can You Install This ISO With Boot Camp?
Not through an officially supported Apple process.
Boot Camp only works on Intel Macs, and Apple’s current instructions support Windows 10 rather than Windows 11. Intel Macs also lack a TPM 2.0 implementation that the standard Windows 11 installer recognises.
There are workarounds for installing Windows 11 with Boot Camp, but this is an unsupported installation and future Windows updates may cause problems.
For most Intel Mac users who need Windows 11, a virtual machine is the safer option.
How To Let Parallels Download Windows Automatically
Parallels is the easiest way to run Windows on a Mac because it can download, configure and install Windows 11 for you.
- Open Parallels Desktop.
- Open Control Center.
- Click the + button.
- Select Get Windows 11 from Microsoft.
- Click Continue, followed by Install Windows.
On an Apple Silicon Mac, Parallels downloads Windows 11 ARM. On an Intel Mac, it downloads the x64 version.
Microsoft specifically identifies recent versions of Parallels Desktop as an authorised solution for running Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise ARM in a virtual machine on Apple Silicon Macs. However, a Parallels licence does not include a Windows licence, so Windows must be licensed separately.
You can watch us installing and running Windows on a Mac using Parallels below.
How To Let VMware Fusion Download Windows Automatically
The latest version of VMware Fusion Pro can also download Windows 11 directly from Microsoft:
- Open VMware Fusion.
- Select File > New.
- Choose Get Windows from Microsoft.
- Click Continue.
- Select the required Windows edition and click Download Windows.
This is usually easier than locating the ISO yourself. You can also choose Install from disc or image if you have already downloaded the correct ISO.
VMware Fusion Pro is free, making it one of the best ways to run Windows on a Mac for free, although Windows still requires its own licence.
You can watch us running Windows in VMware Fusion on a Mac below.
How To Download A Windows 10 ISO On A Mac
Microsoft still provides Windows 10 ISO files, but support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025.
Windows 10 still works, but a standard installation no longer receives Microsoft’s normal free security updates or technical support. We therefore do not recommend creating a new Windows 10 virtual machine in 2026 unless you have a specific legacy requirement.
The main remaining use on a Mac is Boot Camp, because Windows 10 is the last version that Apple officially supports on Intel Macs.
To download it:
- Go to Microsoft’s Windows 10 ISO download page.
- Select the Windows 10 multi-edition ISO.
- Choose your language.
- Select the 64-bit download.
Do not select the 32-bit edition for Boot Camp. Apple requires a full 64-bit Windows 10 ISO.
Some Intel Mac models also require a blank USB flash drive with at least 16GB of capacity during the Boot Camp installation. Our Boot Camp installation guide explains which models need one.
We do not recommend downloading Windows 10 x64 for an Apple Silicon Mac. Parallels, VMware Fusion and other virtual machines are designed to virtualize Windows 11 ARM on M-series Macs, whereas emulating an entire Intel version of Windows is much slower.
Using CrystalFetch To Create A Windows 11 ISO
If Microsoft’s download page does not work or you need to select a particular Windows 11 build, another option is CrystalFetch.
CrystalFetch is a free utility for macOS 12 or later that creates a Windows 11 ISO for use with UTM and other virtual machines.
It allows you to select the Windows build, language, edition and architecture. Make sure you choose Arm64 for an Apple Silicon Mac or x64 for an Intel Mac.
CrystalFetch is not affiliated with Microsoft and uses UUPDump to build the installer. For most users, downloading the finished ISO directly from Microsoft is now simpler. You still need a valid Windows licence whichever method you use.
Can You Still Download Windows 7 Or Windows 8.1?
Microsoft no longer provides normal consumer ISO download pages for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, and both operating systems are out of support.
We strongly advise against downloading old Windows ISO files from unofficial websites. There is no reliable way to know whether a third-party image has been modified or contains malware.
If you must run an old application, use installation media and a licence that you already own, keep the virtual machine isolated from sensitive data and avoid using the unsupported operating system for general web browsing.
Windows ISO For Mac FAQ
Is A Windows ISO Free?
The ISO is free to download, but Windows is not supplied with a free licence. Each Windows installation or virtual machine requires a valid licence for activation and continued licensed use.
Do I Need A Product Key To Download The ISO?
No. Microsoft does not require a product key to download the public Windows 11 or Windows 10 ISO files.
You can also choose I don’t have a product key during setup and enter one later. This lets you complete the installation, but it does not grant a permanent Windows licence.
What Is The Difference Between Arm64 And x64?
Arm64 is compiled for Arm processors, including the Apple M-series chips used in modern Macs. x64 is compiled for Intel and AMD processors and is the version required by an Intel Mac.
Can Windows 11 ARM Run Normal Windows Software?
Windows 11 ARM can run native Arm64 applications and uses built-in emulation for many x86 and x64 programs.
Most everyday productivity and business applications work, but some hardware drivers, older system utilities and games with anti-cheat protection remain incompatible.
Do I Need A VHDX File For Windows 11 ARM?
No. Microsoft now provides a standard Windows 11 Arm64 ISO directly.
Older guides used a Windows Insider VHDX image because Microsoft did not previously offer a public ARM ISO. A VHDX is a virtual hard disk rather than a normal installation disc image and is no longer needed for the usual Mac virtual-machine setup.
Can I Put The ISO On An External Drive?
Yes. You can save the ISO on an external drive and select it from your virtual-machine software. However, keep it connected until Windows installation has finished.
After Windows is installed, you can eject the ISO from the virtual DVD drive and delete it if you no longer need it.