How To Install Windows 11 On Your MacBook With Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) Using UTM

I’ll show you how to quickly install Windows 11 on your MacBook that is running macOS. This method works on Apple M1, M2, and M3 chips, as well as Intel-based Macs. The best part? You can do this for free, without needing to pay for software like Parallels or VirtualBox!

Prerequisites

Before we get started, make sure you have the following:

1. A MacBook with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) or an Intel chip.
2. macOS installed and working properly.
3. UTM app for virtual machine creation (free to download).
4. Crystal Fetch app to download Windows 11.

Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Verify Your Mac’s Chip

First, let’s check the specifications of your Mac. To do that:

1. Go to the Apple Menu in the top-left corner and select About This Mac.
2. You should see the chip type listed under Chip (for example, Apple M1, M2, or M3).

Step 2: Download UTM

UTM is a powerful and free virtualization app that supports Apple Silicon chips. Here’s how to get it:

1. Visit the UTM website and download the app for macOS.
2. Alternatively, you can download UTM from the Mac App Store, though it may require a paid version there.

After downloading, drag and drop UTM into your Applications folder.

Step 3: Download Windows 11 Using Crystal Fetch

Now that UTM is installed, we need the Windows 11 ISO file. We will use the Crystal Fetch app for this.

1. Open the UTM website, navigate to Gallery, and find Windows 11.
2. Click on the Guide button to open the detailed installation steps.
3. Download the Crystal Fetch app. You can get it from the App Store or directly from GitHub.
4. Once installed, open Crystal Fetch, select Windows 11, choose Apple Silicon for the architecture, and pick your preferred language.
5. Click Download to begin fetching the Windows 11 ISO. (I’ve already downloaded it, so I’m skipping this part.)

You should now have the Windows 11 ISO in your Downloads folder.

Step 4: Create a Virtual Machine in UTM

Now that we have the ISO file, let’s set up the virtual machine (VM) in UTM:

1. Open UTM and click Create New Virtual Machine.
2. Select Virtualize and choose Windows.
3. Ensure Install Windows 10 or higher is checked, and uncheck Import VHDX image.
4. Under Boot ISO Image, click Browse and select the Windows 11 ISO you downloaded.
5. Check Install drivers and spice tools, and click Continue.

Step 5: Configure VM Settings

Here’s how to configure your VM’s hardware settings:

• Memory (RAM): 4 GB is a good amount for smooth performance.
• CPU Cores: 4 cores should work well for most tasks.
• Storage: Allocate at least 30 GB of disk space for Windows 11.
• Once done, click Continue and then Save.

Step 6: Start the Installation

Now that the virtual machine is ready, let’s boot it up:

1. Click the Play button in UTM to start the virtual machine.
2. When prompted, press Space to boot from the ISO file.

The Windows setup process will begin. Follow these steps:

1. Choose your language, time zone, and keyboard layout.
2. When asked for a product key, click I don’t have a product key.
3. Select Windows 11 Home (or Pro, if you prefer) and click Next.
4. Choose the 30 GB storage we created earlier and click Next to start the installation.

The installation process will copy files and proceed with the setup.

Step 7: Finalizing the Installation

Once the installation is complete, the VM will restart, and you’ll be taken to the Windows 11 desktop.

Important: If the screen resolution looks off, don’t worry — we can fix that in a few steps.

1. In the UTM virtual machine, go to Shared Directory and click on the CD/DVD icon (which contains your ISO file).
2. Clear the ISO file from the VM but don’t clear UTM Guest Tools (we’ll need those to fix the resolution).
3. Restart the VM.

Step 8: Fixing the Screen Resolution

To fix the screen resolution:

1. Open the UTM Guest Tools ISO from the Shared Directory.
2. Inside, run the utm-guest-tools-0.229.exe file as Administrator and follow the installation prompts.
3. Once the installation completes, restart the virtual machine.

After the restart, Windows 11 will run with full screen and good resolution, just like a native Windows machine.

Step 9: Enjoy Windows 11 on Your MacBook!

You’re all set! Now you can use Windows 11 seamlessly on your MacBook alongside macOS. Whether you need Windows for work, apps that only run on Windows, or just for testing, you can now run both operating systems without paying for expensive software.

If you’re interested, I’ve also created tutorials for installing Kali Linux on UTM, which you can check out by clicking here!