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00:00:00 – 00:20:13
In this comprehensive video, Jeff Benjamin provides a detailed tutorial on installing and running Windows 11 on an Apple silicon Mac using Parallels Desktop 18. He begins by introducing the Parallels Desktop software, discussing the different editions available, and guiding viewers through the download and installation process. The video highlights the use of Windows 11 for ARM and demonstrates setting up and configuring the virtual machine, including adjusting hardware settings for optimal performance.
Jeff explains the difference between full-screen and coherence modes in Parallels, which allow Mac and Windows systems to work together seamlessly. He outlines the steps for updating Windows, managing privacy settings, and configuring the virtual machine’s resources. Moreover, he discusses the process of activating Windows 11 and installing gaming applications like Steam, noting compatibility issues with DirectX 12 and the efficacy of using DirectX 11 games.
The video also covers the flexibility of managing virtual machine files, including transferring them to external drives, and discusses alternative methods using VMware Fusion, noting its more complex setup compared to Parallels. Overall, the tutorial emphasizes ease of use and practical tips for enhancing the performance and integration of Windows 11 on a Mac.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, Jeff Benjamin demonstrates how to install Windows 11 on an Apple silicon Mac using Parallels Desktop 18. He highlights that this method is officially supported by Microsoft. Jeff uses an M1 Max MacBook Pro with 32 GB of RAM and a 10-core CPU for the tutorial. He begins by accessing parallels.com to discuss the options: the Standard Edition, costing $100 annually, which is limited in virtual RAM and CPU; and the Pro Edition, priced at $120 annually, offering significantly more resources, recommended for gaming or intensive applications. Jeff then guides viewers through downloading the free trial, installing Parallels Desktop, and performing the setup, including providing an administrator password and initializing Parallels Desktop. The video proceeds to show how to use the installation assistant to download and install Windows 11, with an option to skip this method for installing other operating systems.
00:03:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker demonstrates the process of installing Windows 11 for ARM on a Mac using the one-click Windows installer from Microsoft’s website. The installation downloads the Windows 11 for ARM ISO to the Mac’s Downloads folder and follows the typical Windows setup procedure. The process includes signing in to a Parallels account and mentions the 14-day free trial offered by Parallels. The speaker highlights that they had to purchase a Pro license to proceed. Post-installation, the speaker activates Parallels Desktop Pro Edition, which allows for more memory and CPU usage. The video also discusses the Windows license agreement and advises clicking accept. Following the installation, the speaker introduces the two modes of Parallels Desktop: full-screen mode and coherence mode, explaining coherence mode as integrating Windows applications within Mac OS, allowing both to coexist seamlessly within the same interface.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the narrator explains the difference between full screen mode and coherence mode, where the latter allows different systems to coexist within the same interface. They then proceed to update Windows by accessing the start menu, navigating to settings, selecting Windows update, and checking for updates. While the updates are downloading, the narrator opens Microsoft Edge to configure its settings by unchecking various options for privacy preferences. They also discuss managing privacy and security settings within Windows.
After the updates are downloaded, the system is restarted to apply the updates. The narrator then goes into actions to configure the virtual machine’s CPUs and memory. They explain that to change the configuration, the virtual machine must first be shut down.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the speaker methodically demonstrates how to configure hardware settings for optimal performance using Parallels on a Mac. He recommends using half of the available resources (e.g., 16 GB out of 32 GB of memory) to avoid slowing down the machine. After updating the configuration, he verifies the new setup through the settings menu, confirming the applied changes. He then discusses the process of activating Windows 11, noting the difference in price between Windows 11 Pro and Home editions and the implications of using an unregistered copy, which includes a persistent watermark.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses activating Windows if you have purchased a product key and demonstrates using Microsoft Edge to download and install Steam. They proceed to download games like Rocket League and Capcom Arcade Stadium to emphasize a point about Parallels 18, which does not support DirectX 12, resulting in compatibility issues with certain games. The speaker highlights that older games that require DirectX 11 work fine, referencing resources like Apple gaming Wiki and PC gamingwiki for compatibility checks. Furthermore, an Xbox wireless controller connected to the Mac is seamlessly recognized within Windows on Parallels 18, making it convenient to use without additional setup. While Rocket League is downloading, the speaker touches on the ease of downloading Windows 11 for ARM ISO directly, which was previously difficult.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the streamlined process of installing Windows 11 for ARM using Parallels, highlighting that it is now more straightforward compared to previous methods. The presenter also explains how the virtual machine files are stored in Parallels, noting that the virtual hard disk expands as more files are added. This disk image can be transferred to an external drive, making it portable. The presenter demonstrates the installation and execution of Rocket League via Steam on a MacBook Pro, pointing out that while gaming performance is decent, users should manage their expectations due to the limitations of emulating PC hardware on ARM-based Windows.
00:18:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the use of Parallels and VMware Fusion for running Windows 11 on a Mac. While not limited to gamers, Parallels is highlighted as an easy, one-click solution for running various Windows-only applications on a Mac. The speaker explains that VMware Fusion 13 can also be used to install Windows 11 using an ISO file, though it requires more steps and isn’t as smooth of an experience as Parallels. Despite some initial challenges, the speaker believes future updates from VMware, given Microsoft’s support, will improve compatibility. Viewers are encouraged to comment if they want a detailed video on using VMware Fusion. The segment concludes with an invitation to watch related videos.