You can run Windows 11 on a Mac without paying for virtual machine software by using VMware Fusion Pro or UTM.
Both work on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, including Macs with M-series chips. However, there is an important distinction between downloading Windows and licensing it:
- VMware Fusion Pro and UTM are available free.
- Microsoft provides Windows 11 installation files as free downloads.
- Windows 11 itself still requires a valid licence for activation and continued licensed use.
The Windows installer allows you to select “I don’t have a product key” and finish setting up Windows before activating it. This can be useful if you want to check whether a Windows application works on your Mac, but it does not give you a permanent free Windows licence.
If you already own an eligible transferable Windows licence, you may be able to use it to activate the virtual machine. Otherwise, you will need to buy a licence from Microsoft.
In this guide, we show you the best free software for installing Windows 11 on a Mac and explain the limitations compared with using Parallels.
The Best Free Ways To Run Windows on a Mac
The two best free virtual machines for Mac in 2026 are VMware Fusion Pro and UTM.
| Method | Cost of virtual machine | Apple Silicon support | Intel Mac support | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VMware Fusion Pro | Free | Yes | Yes | Best free option for most users |
| UTM | Free | Yes | Yes | Open-source alternative and older operating systems |
| Parallels Desktop | Free trial only | Yes | Yes | Easiest setup and best macOS integration |
| Boot Camp | Free | No | Yes | Legacy Windows 10 installations on Intel Macs |
For most users, VMware Fusion Pro is the best free way to run Windows on a Mac. It is easier to configure than UTM, supports Windows 11 on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs and includes a built-in Windows downloader on M-series Macs.
UTM is also an excellent free option, particularly if you prefer open-source software or want more control over the virtual machine. However, its Windows integration and graphics performance are not as polished.
If you want the easiest and most seamless way to run Windows, Parallels Desktop remains our preferred solution, but it is only free during its trial period.
You can follow our separate guide to install Windows 11 on a Mac with Parallels.
What You Need Before Installing Windows
Before you start, check which type of processor your Mac has by selecting the Apple logo in the top-left corner of macOS and choosing About This Mac.
- Apple Silicon Macs have an M-series chip and require Windows 11 ARM.
- Intel Macs require the standard x64 version of Windows 11.
Do not try to install the x64 version on an Apple Silicon Mac. Although UTM can emulate some Intel operating systems on Apple Silicon, performance is much slower than virtualizing the ARM version.
Microsoft’s minimum requirements for Windows 11 include 4GB of memory, two processor cores and 64GB of storage. However, these minimums leave very little room for Windows updates or applications.
For comfortable everyday use, we recommend:
- A Mac with at least 16GB of memory
- At least 128GB of available storage
- 8GB of memory allocated to Windows where possible
- Four virtual processor cores on a suitably equipped Mac
- A reliable internet connection for downloading Windows and updates
An 8GB Mac can run a Windows virtual machine, but both macOS and Windows may feel sluggish when used simultaneously.
1. How To Install Windows for Free With VMware Fusion Pro
VMware Fusion Pro is now available free for personal, educational and commercial use.
Broadcom does not require a licence key for the free version, although you must create a Broadcom account and complete its registration details before downloading it.
Install VMware Fusion
- Go to the VMware Fusion download instructions on Broadcom’s website.
- Sign in to your Broadcom account or create a Basic User account.
- Complete the required profile and trade-compliance details and download the latest version of VMware Fusion Pro.
- Open the downloaded DMG file and double-click VMware Fusion to install it.
- Follow the prompts from macOS to allow any permissions Fusion requires.
- If Fusion asks for a licence key, select the option to finish installing the free version. No VMware licence key is required.
The same VMware Fusion installer works on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, but the version of Windows you install must match your Mac’s processor architecture.
Install Windows 11 on an Apple Silicon Mac
The latest versions of VMware Fusion can download Windows 11 ARM directly from Microsoft:
- Open VMware Fusion.
- Select File > New.
- Choose Get Windows from Microsoft.
- Click Continue and allow Fusion to download Windows 11 ARM.
- Follow the setup assistant to create the virtual machine.
- Allocate at least 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage. We recommend 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage if your Mac has sufficient resources.
- If prompted to encrypt the virtual machine so Fusion can add a virtual TPM, save the encryption password somewhere secure.
- Start the virtual machine and follow the Windows installation instructions.
When Windows asks for a product key, enter a valid Windows licence if you have one. You can select I don’t have a product key to finish the initial setup and activate Windows afterwards, but this does not provide a free licence.
Install Windows 11 on an Intel Mac
On an Intel Mac, download the x64 Windows 11 ISO directly from Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page.
Once it has downloaded:
- Open VMware Fusion and select File > New.
- Choose Install from disc or image.
- Drag the Windows 11 ISO into the installation window or click Use another disc or disc image.
- Select Windows 11 x64 as the operating system.
- Configure the memory, processor and storage allocation.
- Start the virtual machine and follow the Windows installation process.
After Windows has installed, check that VMware Tools is installed. VMware Tools improves display resolution, mouse handling, networking and integration between Windows and macOS.
Finally, open Settings > Windows Update inside Windows and install all available updates.
You can watch how well Windows runs in VMware Fusion on a Mac in the demo below. In this example I’m just showing you how well the Start Menu responds and how to access your Mac folders in it.
2. How To Install Windows for Free With UTM
UTM is a free and open-source virtual machine and emulator for macOS.
The version downloaded directly from the developer is completely free. There is also a paid Mac App Store version, but it has the same features and mainly provides automatic updates while supporting development.
UTM is not as polished as VMware Fusion or Parallels, but it is useful for running Windows occasionally, testing operating systems or emulating older platforms.
Download the Correct Windows ISO
Download the Windows installer that matches your Mac:
Microsoft now provides Windows 11 ARM64 ISO files directly, so there is no longer any need to download unofficial Windows builds or use old Windows Insider Preview images.
Create the Windows Virtual Machine
- Download and install UTM from the UTM website.
- Open UTM and click the + button.
- Select Virtualize and then choose Windows.
- Allocate memory and processor cores to the virtual machine. We recommend 8GB of memory and four cores if your Mac has enough resources.
- Make sure Install Windows 10 or higher and Install drivers and SPICE tools are selected.
- Click Browse and select the Windows 11 ISO you downloaded.
- Allocate at least 64GB of virtual storage, although 128GB is more practical.
- Select a macOS folder to share with Windows if required.
- Click Save and then start the virtual machine.
- Press a key when prompted to boot from the Windows installer.
Follow the Windows setup instructions. If you do not yet have a product key, you can postpone entering it and activate Windows after installation.
UTM should install its Windows guest tools automatically. These provide networking, clipboard integration, shared folders and improved display handling.
If Windows cannot access the internet after installation, check that the UTM SPICE guest tools and network drivers have installed correctly.
Is VMware Fusion Better Than UTM?
For most Mac users, VMware Fusion is the better free option.
It offers a simpler Windows installation process, better graphics support and a more familiar virtual machine interface. Its built-in Get Windows from Microsoft feature also makes installing Windows 11 ARM on an Apple Silicon Mac much easier.
UTM is worth choosing if:
- You prefer free and open-source software
- You want to emulate older operating systems
- You need more control over virtual hardware
- VMware Fusion does not work reliably with your particular application
- You only need Windows occasionally
UTM is not generally the best option for Windows gaming or graphics-intensive professional software.
What About Parallels Desktop?
Parallels Desktop is not a permanently free way to run Windows. It offers a free trial, after which you must purchase a Parallels licence to continue using it.
However, Parallels is easier to use than VMware Fusion or UTM and provides much tighter integration between Windows and macOS.
It can automatically download Windows 11 ARM, configure the virtual machine and integrate Windows applications with the Mac Dock and Finder.
Parallels is also the only local virtualization solution Microsoft currently authorizes for running Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise on Apple Silicon Macs. This makes it the safer choice for businesses, managed Macs and anyone who requires official vendor support.
If you only need Windows occasionally, VMware Fusion is usually sufficient. If you use Windows applications every day, the extra convenience of Parallels may justify paying for it.
You can compare all the options in our guide to the best virtual machines for Mac.
Can You Use Boot Camp for Free?
Boot Camp Assistant is included free with macOS, but it only works on Intel Macs.
Apple officially supports using Boot Camp to install Windows 10, not Windows 11. Since Windows 10 reached the end of normal support on October 14, 2025, we no longer recommend creating a new Windows 10 Boot Camp installation.
Windows 11 can sometimes be installed on Intel Macs using unofficial workarounds to bypass its TPM and processor checks. However, this configuration is not officially supported by Apple and future Windows updates may fail.
Boot Camp is therefore best treated as a legacy option for existing Intel Mac installations rather than the recommended way to run Windows in 2026.
Boot Camp does not work at all on Apple Silicon Macs.
Windows 11 ARM Limitations
Apple Silicon Macs run Windows 11 ARM rather than the x64 version used by most PCs.
Windows 11 ARM can run many standard x86 and x64 applications using Microsoft’s built-in translation technology. However, compatibility is not guaranteed.
You may encounter problems with:
- Games that use kernel-level anti-cheat systems
- Windows applications requiring specialist hardware drivers
- Some VPN, security and antivirus software
- USB devices without ARM-compatible drivers
- Older applications and plug-ins
- DirectX 12 games and GPU-intensive professional software
- Software that requires nested virtualization
Check the developer’s system requirements before relying on a particular Windows application.
For regular office software, web browsers, Microsoft Access, accounting applications and many development tools, Windows 11 ARM generally works well on modern M-series Macs.
Can You Still Install Windows 10 on a Mac?
It is technically possible to install Windows 10 on some Intel Macs and to run old Windows 10 ARM images in a virtual machine.
However, Windows 10 is no longer receiving normal security updates or technical support. Windows 10 ARM was also never made available as a normal public retail download in the same way as Windows 11 ARM.
We therefore strongly recommend installing Windows 11 instead.
Avoid downloading old Windows 10 ARM images from unofficial file-sharing sites. Apart from licensing concerns, modified Windows installers may contain malware or other unwanted changes.
Is Windows 11 Really Free Without Activation?
No. The Windows 11 installer can be downloaded free and Microsoft allows installation to continue before you enter a product key, but this is not the same as receiving a free Windows licence.
Without activation, Windows may display an activation watermark, show reminders and restrict some personalization settings. More importantly, Microsoft’s licence terms require Windows to be properly licensed and activated.
A unique licence is required for each Windows virtual machine. If you already own an eligible retail licence, you may be able to transfer it, depending on its terms. OEM licences supplied with another computer are normally tied to that device.
You can check or activate Windows by going to Settings > System > Activation.
Which Method Should You Use?
For most Mac users wanting to avoid paying for virtual machine software, we recommend VMware Fusion Pro.
It works on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, is free for personal and commercial use and can download Windows 11 ARM directly on an M-series Mac.
Choose UTM if you prefer open-source software or need its emulation features.
Choose Parallels if you want the easiest installation, the best integration with macOS or a Microsoft-authorized Apple Silicon configuration.
Whichever method you choose, remember that the virtual machine may be free, but Windows still requires its own valid licence.