Installing Windows x86 on M1 MacBook: A Journey

The ability to run Windows x86 on an M1 MacBook has long been a topic of interest among developers who rely on Windows-based software, such as LabVIEW. While Parallels is capable of running Windows on the M1 chip, there are several challenges that need to be overcome before it can be fully functional.

One of the main obstacles is the fact that x86 hardware drivers are not available for Windows ARM, which is the native architecture of the M1 chip. This makes it difficult to run software that relies heavily on these drivers, such as NI-488.2 drivers. In this article, we will explore the possibility of using UTM and QEMU to emulate an x86 environment within Parallels.

The approach taken by one user involved installing Windows 10 x86 using UTM, but unfortunately, it resulted in a series of errors, including the inability to find the 'Desktop' for the user. Another attempt to install Windows 11 x86 was met with an architecture mismatch error.

Despite these setbacks, there are some potential solutions worth exploring. For instance, running QEMU/UTM and using USB passthrough to connect to NI software within a virtual machine (VM) is an option. However, it's important to note that hardware drivers are unlikely to work in this setup.

In conclusion, while there have been some attempts to get Windows x86 running on the M1 MacBook, they have been met with limited success. The challenges involved in emulating an x86 environment within Parallels are significant, and it remains to be seen whether a fully functional solution can be found.

Parallels on m1 macbook