Is There an Alternative Virtual Machine to Run Windows on a Mac M1 for Free?

Running Windows on an Apple Mac M1 machine provides a powerful and versatile computing experience. However, the traditional methods often come with costs associated. Currently, the only known way to run Windows on an M1 Mac is through a virtual machine (VM) solution. In this article, we will explore the possibilities and alternatives for users looking to set up Windows on their M1 Mac without incurring a significant cost.

Current Solutions

To run Windows on an M1 Mac, the primary options currently available are through tools like Parallels and VMware Fusion. Both of these solutions enable virtualization by running a virtual machine through which Windows can be executed. However, it's important to note that running Windows on an M1 Mac requires the Windows for ARM version, which must be purchased directly from Microsoft. Windows for x86 systems is not compatible with the M1's architecture.

Parallels is well-known for its superior performance, but it is not a free software. While VMware Fusion is also a viable option, it is currently not known if they have an M1-specific release, and if so, they would likely not be free. On the other hand, VirtualBox is a free VM software, but it is currently limited to running on x86 hardware, which means it cannot be used on an Intel Mac let alone an M1-based Mac.

UTM: A Free Alternative?

However, there is a reoccurring suggestion in the tech community that UTM (a free and open-source virtualization software) might be the alternative you're looking for. UTM, short for User Tertiary Machine, is designed to run virtual machines and inherently supports Windows on an M1 Mac. The software can be downloaded and installed for free, which makes it an attractive option for users seeking to run Windows without paying for a commercial software suite.

UTM is praised for its simplicity and user-friendly interface, making it an ideal choice for beginners. A detailed guide on how to set up UTM and run Windows on an M1 Mac can be found here: [Detailed Guide Link]. This guide outlines the step-by-step process and provides valuable insights for those looking to make the switch.

Setting Up Windows on UTM

To use UTM to run Windows on an M1 Mac, you will need to follow these general steps:

Download and install UTM from the official repository. Prepare a Windows installation media (USB drive, DVD, or network share). Launch UTM and create a new virtual machine. In the VM settings, allocate appropriate resources, including CPU, RAM, and storage. Install Windows using the prepared media, following the in-built installer prompts. Once Windows is installed, you can start the VM and use it as you would on any other Windows machine.

While UTM does not come with pre-built Windows images, it does support various methods for creating and managing virtual machines. This flexibility is a major advantage of using UTM, as users have full control over the configuration and customization of their virtual environment.

Conclusion

If you're looking for an alternative virtual machine to run Windows on a Mac M1 without incurring a significant cost, UTM may serve as a viable solution. Although you will still need to buy a legitimate copy of Windows, UTM itself is free and provides a powerful virtualization platform. For more detailed information on how to set up UTM, check out the guide linked above.