Installing Windows 11 with Parallels Desktop: A Step-by-Step Guide

I'm going to install Windows 11 on my Intel-based MacBook using Parallels Desktop 19. This software allows me to run Windows 11 alongside macOS, providing a seamless experience for productivity and gaming. I'll be using the free version of Parallels Desktop, but it's worth noting that you can change this later on after installation.

As I begin the process, I'm choosing the product category as "games only" and clicking continue to proceed. Windows 11 will now start downloading onto my machine, and I've decided to speed up this video so it isn't 20 minutes long. This should take a few minutes depending on your internet speed. Once it's downloaded, it will start validating the Windows 11 installation.

The Parallels installation assistant will ask for access to my computer's camera and microphone for use in Windows 11. I'll allow those permissions to continue with the installation process. Next, I'll see Windows set up installing the Windows 11 operating system, just like I would on a Windows computer. Windows 11 will now start looking for updates to ensure that I have the latest version of the OS and when that process finishes, I'll see the welcome screen saying "hi" followed by the message "this might take a few minutes don't turn off your PC." Once the installation process has concluded, Parallels Desktop will ask me permission to allow access to files managed by iCloud drive.

I've decided to create a Parallels account, which allows me to manage my Parallels product license and subscriptions. I'll go ahead and create an account and click continue to read the products and services information. Finally, I'll accept the account data privacy notice, and my Parallels account will now be created.

The next step is to activate Windows 11. If I have an activation key or can purchase a new license, I can do so by going to the settings app inside Windows 11 and selecting system. I can add my product key if I have one by clicking "change the product key" or get a new license from the Microsoft Store app. Currently, Windows 10/11 Pro costs $199, but I'm choosing not to spend that extra money.

Once I've activated Windows 11, I'll be able to use it alongside macOS on my MacBook. When I'm in Windows 11, I'll see a menu at the top of the screen where I can change view options. The first option is "Enter coherence mode," which allows me to use Windows 11 apps inside of Mac OS, running them side by side as if they were native Mac OS applications.

I can use both Windows and Mac OS applications at the same time without having to switch between two separate desktops. To get out of coherence mode, I'll select "exit coherence" under the actions menu. The other view options include "Enter full screen," which will make my MacBook look more like a Windows machine, and "Exit full screen," which allows me to resize and move it out of the way while working in Mac OS.

Windows 11 will remain visible behind Mac OS apps, so I know where it is at all times. To get out of full screen mode, I can click "exit picture" under the actions menu or use a three-finger swipe to swipe back to Mac OS. Under the actions menu, I have options to pause, suspend, shut down, or restart Windows 11.

At the bottom of the action menu, I can configure Parallels settings by clicking "configure." Under General, I can change what Parallels is configured for. However, I need to shut down the virtual machine to make these changes, so I'll leave the Windows 11 configuration window open and shut down the virtual machine.

Under actions, I have options to pause, suspend, shut down, or restart Windows 11. I've decided to change the Parallels settings to "gaming only," which will optimize my system for playing games and automatically switch to full screen mode. To access the Mac OS Dock in the menu bar, I need to press control plus out, which is equivalent to command plus option on a Mac.

Alternatively, I can use a three-finger swipe to swipe out of full screen mode back to Mac OS. The Windows 11 configuration app also allows me to make changes to options like Hardware security and backup settings after purchasing Parallels Desktop.

Once I've purchased Parallels Desktop, I simply enter the key at the startup window to unlock Windows 11 on my machine. If you found this video helpful, give us a like and subscribe to CNET's massive YouTube channel. And check out my past video on how to install Windows on an Intel-based Mac computer. Thanks for watching!

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enI'm going to show you how to install Windows 11 on an M3 MacBook Air 13-in laptop or any Mac M series computer and demonstrate how you can easily switch back and forth between the two operating systems subscribe to cette for more how-to videos Parallels Desktop version 19 is a powerful virtual desktop application that is authorized by Microsoft to run Windows 11 on Apple M series Maxs you can also run Linux and OSX operating systems the windows 11 virtual machine runs just like an app on your Apple computer and you can leave it running in the background quickly jumping back and forth between Mac OS and windows I'm going to start with the 14-day free trial version and eventually upgrade to the pro version click the link to download the software and follow the prompts allow parallels permission to access files and folders on your MacBook to continue parallel requires your permission to access directories to operate correctly on your machine these include your desktop documents and downloads folders once you've granted access click finish now you will see a screen prompting you to download and install Windows 11 you can select other options at the bottom to see the other operating systems available on the parallels platform including Mac OS and multiple Linux operating systems I'm going to continue to Windows 11 and select install Windows here you can choose your primary use for what Windows 11 will be used for your choices are productivity or games only and you can change this later on after it's been installed I'm going with productivity and clicking continue Windows 11 will begin downloading onto your machine and I'm going to speed up this video so this video isn't 20 minutes long this should take a few minutes depending on your internet speed and once it's downloaded it will start validating the windows 11 installation next the parallels installation assistant will ask for access to your computer's camera and microphone for use in Windows 11 once you allow those permissions you will now see Windows set up installing the windows 11 operating system just like you would on a Windows computer Windows 11 will now start looking for updates to ensure that you have the latest version of the OS and when that process finishes you will see the welcome screen saying hi followed by the message this might take a few minutes don't turn off your PC once the installation process has concluded Parallels Desktop will ask you permission to allow access to files managed by iCloud drive and your installation will finally be complete next parallels will prompt you to create a parallels account which allows you to manage your parallels product license and subscriptions go ahead and create an account and click continue to read the products and services information and finally accept the account data privacy notice your parallels account will now be created and the windows license agreement will pop up read the license agreement if you want to and click accept at the bottom of the page and parallels will display a screen saying Windows 11 successfully installed to start Windows 11 simply open the parallels application push the play button and select continue trial if you're using the free version and now you will be in Windows 11 next parallels will ask your permission to control your computer's accessibility features open system settings to Grant permission and toggle on the switch next to Parallels Desktop and type in your computer's password to unlock the next step is to activate your copy of Windows 11 if you have an activation key or you can purchase a new license or activate an existing license to do this go to the settings app inside windows 11 and select system you can add your product key if you have one by clicking change the product key or get a new license from the Microsoft store app Windows 10/11 Pro currently costs $199 I don't have an activation key and I'm not willing to spend the extra money to buy one so I'm going to stick with the basic Windows 11 OS in Parallels Desktop 19 when you're in Windows 11 you'll see a menu at the top of the screen where you can change view options the first option is enter coherence mode which allows you to use Windows 11 apps inside of Mac OS Windows 11 and Mac OS will run side by side as if your windows apps were Native Mac OS applications in coherence mode you can use both Windows and Mac OS applications at the same time without having to switch between two separate desktops to get out of this mode go back to view and select exit coherence the other view options include enter full screen which will make your MacBook look more like a Windows machine to get out of full screen mode move your mouse to the top of the screen to see the menu go to view and then exit full screen you can also get out of full screen mode by using a three-finger swipe to swipe back to Mac OS the last option is enter picture picture which will shrink your windows 11 desktop where you can then resize it and move it out of the way while you're working in Mac OS Windows 11 will remain visible behind Mac OS apps so you know where it is at all times to get out of it click exit picture and picture under the actions menu you have options to pause suspend shut down or restart Windows 11 and at the bottom of the action menu you can configure parallel settings click configure and under General you can change what parallels is configured for but you need to shut down the virtual machine to make changes leave the windows 11 configuration window open and shut down the virtual machine under actions now you will be able to configure what you want to use parallels 4 I'll change it to gaming only and then windows will configure itself to be optimized for playing games and automatically switch to full screen mode to access the Mac OS Doc in the menu bar you need to press control plus out which is equivalent to command plus option on a Mac you can also use a three-finger swipe to swipe out of full screen mode back to Mac OS the windows 11 configuration app also allows you to make changes to options Hardware security and backup settings after you purchase Parallels Desktop you simply enter the key at the startup window to unlock Windows 11 on your machine if you found this video helpful give a us a like And subscribe to cnet's massive YouTube channel and check out my past video on how to install Windows on an Intel Bas Mac computer and thanks for watchingI'm going to show you how to install Windows 11 on an M3 MacBook Air 13-in laptop or any Mac M series computer and demonstrate how you can easily switch back and forth between the two operating systems subscribe to cette for more how-to videos Parallels Desktop version 19 is a powerful virtual desktop application that is authorized by Microsoft to run Windows 11 on Apple M series Maxs you can also run Linux and OSX operating systems the windows 11 virtual machine runs just like an app on your Apple computer and you can leave it running in the background quickly jumping back and forth between Mac OS and windows I'm going to start with the 14-day free trial version and eventually upgrade to the pro version click the link to download the software and follow the prompts allow parallels permission to access files and folders on your MacBook to continue parallel requires your permission to access directories to operate correctly on your machine these include your desktop documents and downloads folders once you've granted access click finish now you will see a screen prompting you to download and install Windows 11 you can select other options at the bottom to see the other operating systems available on the parallels platform including Mac OS and multiple Linux operating systems I'm going to continue to Windows 11 and select install Windows here you can choose your primary use for what Windows 11 will be used for your choices are productivity or games only and you can change this later on after it's been installed I'm going with productivity and clicking continue Windows 11 will begin downloading onto your machine and I'm going to speed up this video so this video isn't 20 minutes long this should take a few minutes depending on your internet speed and once it's downloaded it will start validating the windows 11 installation next the parallels installation assistant will ask for access to your computer's camera and microphone for use in Windows 11 once you allow those permissions you will now see Windows set up installing the windows 11 operating system just like you would on a Windows computer Windows 11 will now start looking for updates to ensure that you have the latest version of the OS and when that process finishes you will see the welcome screen saying hi followed by the message this might take a few minutes don't turn off your PC once the installation process has concluded Parallels Desktop will ask you permission to allow access to files managed by iCloud drive and your installation will finally be complete next parallels will prompt you to create a parallels account which allows you to manage your parallels product license and subscriptions go ahead and create an account and click continue to read the products and services information and finally accept the account data privacy notice your parallels account will now be created and the windows license agreement will pop up read the license agreement if you want to and click accept at the bottom of the page and parallels will display a screen saying Windows 11 successfully installed to start Windows 11 simply open the parallels application push the play button and select continue trial if you're using the free version and now you will be in Windows 11 next parallels will ask your permission to control your computer's accessibility features open system settings to Grant permission and toggle on the switch next to Parallels Desktop and type in your computer's password to unlock the next step is to activate your copy of Windows 11 if you have an activation key or you can purchase a new license or activate an existing license to do this go to the settings app inside windows 11 and select system you can add your product key if you have one by clicking change the product key or get a new license from the Microsoft store app Windows 10/11 Pro currently costs $199 I don't have an activation key and I'm not willing to spend the extra money to buy one so I'm going to stick with the basic Windows 11 OS in Parallels Desktop 19 when you're in Windows 11 you'll see a menu at the top of the screen where you can change view options the first option is enter coherence mode which allows you to use Windows 11 apps inside of Mac OS Windows 11 and Mac OS will run side by side as if your windows apps were Native Mac OS applications in coherence mode you can use both Windows and Mac OS applications at the same time without having to switch between two separate desktops to get out of this mode go back to view and select exit coherence the other view options include enter full screen which will make your MacBook look more like a Windows machine to get out of full screen mode move your mouse to the top of the screen to see the menu go to view and then exit full screen you can also get out of full screen mode by using a three-finger swipe to swipe back to Mac OS the last option is enter picture picture which will shrink your windows 11 desktop where you can then resize it and move it out of the way while you're working in Mac OS Windows 11 will remain visible behind Mac OS apps so you know where it is at all times to get out of it click exit picture and picture under the actions menu you have options to pause suspend shut down or restart Windows 11 and at the bottom of the action menu you can configure parallel settings click configure and under General you can change what parallels is configured for but you need to shut down the virtual machine to make changes leave the windows 11 configuration window open and shut down the virtual machine under actions now you will be able to configure what you want to use parallels 4 I'll change it to gaming only and then windows will configure itself to be optimized for playing games and automatically switch to full screen mode to access the Mac OS Doc in the menu bar you need to press control plus out which is equivalent to command plus option on a Mac you can also use a three-finger swipe to swipe out of full screen mode back to Mac OS the windows 11 configuration app also allows you to make changes to options Hardware security and backup settings after you purchase Parallels Desktop you simply enter the key at the startup window to unlock Windows 11 on your machine if you found this video helpful give a us a like And subscribe to cnet's massive YouTube channel and check out my past video on how to install Windows on an Intel Bas Mac computer and thanks for watching\n"