William Gallagher
The latest version of virtualization tool Parallels Desktop now fully supports macOS Monterey, and significantly will mean Macs can run Windows 11.
Parallels Desktop previously became an Apple Silicon native app with version 17, but there remained issues over running Windows 11 on it. Microsoft's OS had certain minimum specifications, and key amongst those was the requirement for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM).
Specifically, Microsoft announced that it requires a TPM 2.0, and not all Macs do. However, Parallels says that it has created a virtual Trusted Platform Module (vTPM) to address the issue.
"Knowing that Parallels Desktop plays a critical role in enabling users to run the latest versions of Windows on their favorite Mac device today," said Parallels Vice President for Engineering, Elena Koryakina, "we've developed a simple solution to help all users upgrade to Windows 11 with the enablement of vTPMs by default on all Mac devices."
"The latest version of Parallels Desktop also builds on our customers' top requests," she continued, "with new gaming and 3D integrations to further enhance the user experience."
Parallels has previously used vTPMs, but only on specific, professional editions of the Desktop software. Now this new version will be included in the Standard, Pro and Business versions.
A Parallels technical blog describes how Desktop has implemented vTPMs, and how users can benefit from it.
Parallels Desktop 17 is a subscription app, starting at $80 per year for the Standard Edition. The Pro and Business Editions are available for $99.99 per year. Those who purchased a perpetual license for a previous version of Parallels Desktop can upgrade to Parallels Desktop 17 for $49.99.
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33 Comments
I have Windows 11 installed on my M1 Mac mini with Parallels and it runs very well as far as I have seen (not used it much).
The only issue I have seen is getting it activated. Windows 11 is free to owners of Windows 10 and I have a license for 10 Pro but it was not installed on my ARM Mac for obvious reasons. Have a message in to Microsoft and will see.
You can still buy a perpetual license of 17 as a onetime $99 purchase. Author, please fact check yourself before posting.
Just to clear something up that some people might be thinking about, Apple has had a TPM for years, it’s called the Secure Enclave. It’s just not compatible with the TPM used by AMD and Intel, and Apple will never open it up for third party use.
but this development shows that the TPM, as used by AMD and Intel, at least, can easily be worked around by software, so its value is questionable.