How to Test Windows 10 ARM Insider on M1 Macs using Parallels

How to Test Windows 10 ARM Insider on M1 Macs using Parallels

Originally featured on the Microsoft Community, this article has found a new home. Please know, this is not to be used for commercial purposes, since Windows 10 on ARM is not officially available or sanctioned by Microsoft Corporation outside of approved hardware. Please only use for experimental purposes. Windows 10 is not free  software and you do need to have a license in order to use it. 

If you recently picked up a new Macintosh computer using Apple’s M1 SoC, you might realize out of box support for Windows 10 is not yet available. Unlike Intel based Mac’s, Boot Camp will not work on these modern Macs. Any attempt to run it will result in an error. 

That said, the M1 based Macs are based on the foundations of the ARM architecture, which Apple uses as the blueprint to build their own unique silicon. So far, there have been some experimental support already available based on QEMU available through GitHub. That’s quite impressive but does require some advanced setup to work. Some features don’t work properly either such as out of the box networking and file sharing between the virtual machine and macOS. Large developers of commercial Hyper-visors such as Parallels and VMWare have promised to provide support for M1 Macs, which provides easier setup if you don’t want to get too technical. In this article, we try Parallels and test out a preview version of Windows 10 for ARM.

As for Windows 10, support right now is unofficial, but users can actually get it running using a VHDX image provided through the Windows Insider Preview program. But this is not available as a standard ISO image you can download and mount in the VM then install. That itself is a benefit though, since you are really just setting up a preconfigured installation of Windows 10. It is unknown if Microsoft will eventually provide a commercial copy of Windows 10 for M1 Macs at this time, since Windows 10 ARM is currently only available as an OEM license preinstalled on devices such as the Surface Pro X.

In this article, we take a look at how you can give Windows 10 a test drive on your new M1 based Mac. Keep in mind, this is experimental, and I will advise from now, expect bugs; this is based on my own personal experience from my early preliminary tests. 

Make sure you backup your Mac before trying this. 

Step 1 Download and Install Parallels Desktop for Mac with Apple M1 chip

 

Mac users can sign up and download a free experimental version of the Parallels Desktop for Mac with M1 support. Click the Try Technical Preview link to begin the process. 

 

 

Choose the method you want to use to sign up. 

 Click Continue 

Scroll down then accept the Terms and Agreements 

 

 

Scroll down to Step 3 then click the DOWNLOAD button. Be sure to keep a copy of the product key for activation purposes during setup.

 

 

Click Allow to begin the download 

After downloading the DMG file, launch it.  

 

Install Parallels Desktop for Mac 

Double click the Install link to begin setup.

 

The Gatekeeper security mechanism in macOS will prompt you for permission to install the application and related components throughout the setup process. Click Open each time when prompted. 

The setup process will then begin.

 Accept the terms and conditions  

 Setup will prepare to copy files to your drive. 

 To make working between the virtual machine and your Mac easier, Parallels can map your Macs account folder with File Explorer in Windows 10. If you want this or not, you can deny or allow it in the next series of wizards. 

Click Finish 

 

Parallels for M1 is very limited at this time and can only run ARM based operating systems. For Windows 10 in particular, you will need a VHDX image provided through Microsoft’s Windows Insider Preview program. The Windows 10 VHDX is already configured to run after configuring through Parallels Desktop. 

Download Windows 10 on ARM Insider Preview

 

If you are already a Windows 10 Insider, then you can go to the Windows 10 Insider Preview Downloads page then download the latest preview build of Windows 10 for ARM. To learn more about the steps for joining the Windows Insider Preview Program, click HERE.

 

The image is quite large, so this might take some time to download. 

 

 

Once you have downloaded the VHDX Windows 10 on ARM Insider Preview Preview image, switch back to the Parallels window. The Installation Assistant will automatically detect it. If not, click the ‘Choose Manually’ button then browse to where the file is saved. 

 

The Installation Assistant will automatically prepare the VHDX image for use. Since this is a VHDX image, it will use the local storage space as needed without having to allocate space just for its own use. So, if you start installing applications, save files and make other changes, the more it will grow in size. 

 

 

If you don’t have an account already have an account, create or sign in to complete setup. 

 

Enter the product key included on the Parallels Technical Preview page then click Activate.  

Parallels should now be successfully activated.

 The virtual machine is now being prepared to run Windows 10 for the first time.  

Windows 10 is now starting up.

Here we arrive at the OOBE, Windows will automatically finish setting up itself. 

That’s it! Windows 10 is now installed on your Apple M1 Mac. 

One of the great things about Parallels for M1 is functionality like networking works out of the box.  

 Keep in mind, there are some bugs users should be aware of. I noticed upon restarting, I could no longer interact with the VM. A fellow user discovered this is an issue caused by the Time Sync function with your Mac in the Parallels Desktop settings. If you encounter this problem, click the Actions Menu > Configure > Options (tab) > More Options 

Click in the ‘Time:’ list box then choose ‘Do not sync’.

Microsoft Edge was also experiencing some issues, although this was under the legacy version of Edge, but I was able to get the much older Internet Explorer 11 to work for web browsing. You can also install beta versions of third party browsers such as Firefox.

And there will be stability issues. I experienced a couple GSOD the first time I set it up. Don’t use this for production purposes just yet. But if you were curious about the ARM version of Windows 10, this is an optional way to try it out.

Remember to share your feedback with the Parallels engineers so they can improve the experience. So far, I must say, its quite speedy and works just like Windows 10 on x86 virtual machine.  

If you get to try this out, let me know what your experience has been like. 

Related:

 

•              Share Your Network Connection with Hyper-V in Windows 10 

•              Get Started with Microsoft Azure – Create Your First Virtual Machine 

•              How to Network Windows 10 and OS X and Share Files 

•              How to Install Windows 10 on OS X in VMware Fusion 8

•              Create a Custom Windows 10 VM on Mac with VMware Fusion 8

•              Tips for Using OS X and Windows 10 Together in VMware Fusion 8

•              How to: install the latest Windows 10 in Oracle VirtualBox

•              Your Guide to Using BitLocker Encryption in Windows 10

•              How to Attach and Copy files from a VHD in Windows 10

•              How to setup a virtual machine using Hyper-V

•              How to install Windows 10 on a Mac using Oracle VirtualBox

Get Help with Upgrading to Windows 10 Anniversary Update

Hello friends,

The Windows 10 Anniversary Update is fast approaching; August 2nd 2016 to be exact. For many of my readers, who have already taken the plunge and upgraded to Windows 10; I am sure you are looking forward to the latest revision.

Join me on the Windows 10 Forums and Twitter/adacosta for tips, tricks and discussions for ensuring a smooth upgrade starting August 1.

You can sign up now, its free. You can also sign in using your Twitter, Facebook or Google Plus account.

In the mean time, check out some of the articles written about the new features and functions.

 

• Get Started with the New Start Menu in Windows 10 Anniversary Update
• Working in Tablet Mode in Windows 10 Anniversary Update
• Windows 10 Anniversary Update Color Personalization Settings
• Customize Taskbar Settings in Windows 10 Anniversary Update
• Set Up a Mobile Hotspot in Windows 10 Anniversary Update
• New OneDrive Universal App Arrives for Windows 10
• Getting Started with the Windows 10 Inking Feature
• Get Started with Bash in Windows 10 Anniversary Update
• How to Manage Windows Update with Active Hours Feature
• Windows 10 Anniversary Update Tip: Use Inking with Sticky Notes and Cortana
• Customize Taskbar Settings in Windows 10 Anniversary Update

 

Get Windows 10 App Gets Agressive – How to Stop It.

Over at Groovypost, I talk about the accelerated push by Microsoft to get Windows 10 installed before the July 29th deadline.

Microsoft’s push to get users to upgrade from older versions of Windows to the company’s flagship Windows 10, has reached new heights of desperation. We have been covering solutions that give users choice about how to manage their computer. At the end of the day, upgrading to Windows 10 is a personal decision, it is your computer, you bought it, and know what does and doesn’t work on it. The software firm’s July 29th deadline to end free upgrades is fast approaching, but users are complaining about a recently added forced upgrade policy.

Read more here

Windows 10 Free Upgrade On Schedule to End July 29TH 2016

If you still want to take advantage of the free upgrade offer to Windows 10, make sure you upgrade your Windows 7, Windows 8.0 or Windows 8.1 before end of July 2016.

The free upgrade offer will end on July 29 and we want to make sure you don’t miss out. After July 29^th, you’ll be able to continue to get Windows 10 on a new device, or purchase a full version of Windows 10 Home for $119.

Read more at https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/05/05/windows-10-now-on-300-million-active-devices-free-upgrade-offer-to-end-soon/#eZybh584vYuFeQfJ.99

If you are still on the fence about upgrading, you have some options.

Continue reading here

How to Prevent Automatic Upgrade to Windows 10

For Microsoft, Windows 10 is the future of Windows. Microsoft has no plans to relent or minimize their upgrade acceleration. For Windows 7 or Windows 8.0 and Windows 8.1 users, your options are limited going forward. The right and choice is certainly yours to use the version of Windows that suits you. The fact that both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 are to be supported until January 2020 and 2023 respectively give you such choice.

The Get Windows 10 (GWX) app, will certainly put a hamper on any plans you have to stick with older versions of Windows. Since the launch of Windows 10 in late July 2015, third party developers have come up with solutions to keep Windows 10 at bay.

For those who have been following my instructions in the Windows 10 Rollback article, here are two solutions I recommend if you were able to rollback successfully.

• How to Disable the Get Windows 10 Update GWX App Completely
• Stop the Windows 10 Upgrade with Never 10 or the GWX App Itself

The comments have been overwhelming and I read through the frustrations users are facing. I do believe in choice, if you like Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 and they are still supported, I see no reason why Microsoft can’t continue to support them. If you are continuing to experience problems with rolling back, either its taking too long or results in an operable computer, you might want to check out the following. Its a bit technical, but its an option for going back to your previous version:

https://neosmart.net/blog/2016/fast-free-and-simple-windows-10-uninstall-utility/#more-3593

The above utility was created by the folks at Neosmart Technologies, famous for their easy to use graphical boot manager editor, EasyBCD.

What about those who can’t get their systems working again at all?

In most cases, Rollback has turned out to be not such a great option at all. In fact, it usually makes things worst. In such cases, your best option is to download Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 install media, then perform a custom install. In such a scenario, you will of course have to gather and reinstall critical drivers such as Chipset, Network (Wireless), Video (Graphics) and Audio. Its a long and difficult process for many, some might have to use the services of a certified PC repair shop to get their systems back in order. Please review the following article for instructions about obtaining reinstall media for Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.

How to: Reinstall or Restore your original Windows installation after evaluating the Windows 10

For Windows 7 users in particular, obtaining reinstall media can prove to be difficult, especially if the operating system originally came preinstalled on your computer. One work around is to use the following hack to download Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 install media from the Microsoft Software Download page. The hack itself requires that you have Google Chrome installed. Its not for the faint of heart, so if you know some tech savvy, let them help you with the procedure.

Step 1: Download a copy of Windows 7:

http://www.ghacks.net/2016/02/17/download-windows-7-and-8-1-iso-images-from-microsoft/

Step 2: Perform a custom install, see Windows 7 and 8 sections of the following article how to perform a custom install:

How to: Perform a custom installation of Windows

Step 3:

https://techingiteasy.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/how-to-activate-windows-7-oem-license-using-a-retail-disc/

If you follow the instructions for performing a custom install, you should be able to recover your files from the Windows.old folder that will be created at the root of the hard disk, normally C:\.

Again, this is not an easy process and will require a little more effort than usual on the users part. I recommend printing out the steps, read them first before attempting. For persons dissatisfied with Windows 10 even after a successful upgrade, I do strongly recommend, if and when you decide to go back to Windows 7 or Windows 8, save yourself some trouble; create a backup of your Windows 10 installation.

• How to: Create a system image in Windows 10
• How to restore a Windows 10 system image to an existing or larger storage device

At least, if going back to Windows 7 or Windows 8 turns out to be a failure, you have a fall back option. One you might not like it, but at least its a working configuration you can use until you can figure out a more suitable option.

 

For those who are choosing to stick it out with Windows 10, but finding the user experience difficult to adjust to, please be sure to check out my Getting Started guide. It offers articles that can help you navigate the Windows 10 interface and understand many parts of the system.

As for me, I still use Windows 10 and I also use Windows 8.0. I recently setup a dual boot configuration with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update preview; expected Summer 2016. The operating system is becoming more specialized going forward. I am not sure Windows 10 Anniversary Update will necessarily make a Windows 7 or Windows 8 any happier. The release focuses on highlighting more of the benefits of the platform where it shines best, inking and touch.

To my readers, I do read your comments. I cannot respond to all in time, but I do read and sympathize. I will certainly invest more in solutions I hope can provide the right balance and solutions.

How to: setup a Network with Windows 10

This article can now be found in its entirety at Groovypost.com

Connect Windows 10 to Wired, Wireless and P2P Networks

Thank you,

Andre

How to troubleshoot Product Activation in Windows 10

This article can now be found in its entirety at Groovypost.com:

How to Fix Windows 10 Product Key Activation Not Working

Please review the latest Wiki Article about using your Windows 7, Windows 8.0 or Windows 8.1 product key to Install and Activate using the Windows 10 November Update (1511) build 10586.0. This article discusses issues  activating the initial July build 10240.

How to install and activate Windows 10 using your Windows 7 or Windows 8 product key

Thank you,

Andre

Windows 10 Review

This summer Microsoft will launch Windows 10; a special major revision that spans desktop, mobile, virtual reality, gaming console, conference rooms and even IoT (Internet of Things) such as the Raspberry PI. Windows 10 is a significant upgrade in the platforms history; because the company describes this as the last monolithic release of the operating system. No, Microsoft is not ending development of the most popular operating system in history; but the company is moving to a future where the roll of the operating system takes a back seat to services. The Cloud has become the buzz word in this industry and for Microsoft it is a critical wave on which company’s future rides, not just on the client side but also in the data centre.

Windows 10 Review: Introduction, Specifications and Setup

Windows 10 Review: Daily Usage

Windows 10 Review: Microsoft Edge web browser

Windows 10 Review: Applications and Compatibility

Windows 10 Review: Multimedia and Productivity

Windows 10 Review: Advanced features, Security and Connectivity

Windows 10 Review: Windows Update, Support, Recovery, Easy Upgrade

Windows 10 Review: Conclusion, Pros, Cons, Rating

Get Started with Windows 10

Summary

In preparation for the launch of Windows 10 this summer, many of you might want to get up to speed with the new features and functions included in the new version. I have been evaluating Windows 10 since October 1st 2014 and I have managed to the see the operating system go through its ups and downs during that time. The experience has afforded me the ability to have an intimate experience with this platform.  For the average user who probably just started learning about Windows 10 a couple months ago, a few days ago or even a few months from now, these Getting Started guides should help you hit the ground running. Don’t worry, I will continually update this wiki-article with new content. Please don’t hesitate to share your feedback in the comments.

Details

Before you start

• Frequently Asked Questions: Windows 10
• Should I upgrade to Windows 10?
• Windows 10 Terminology and Locations

Pre-requisite Task

When making significant changes to your computer such as updating the operating system, you should always backup. See links to resources about backing up by clicking the link for the respective version of Windows you are running: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1

• How to manually backup and restore your files
• How to free up disk space in Windows
• How to: 10 Tips before installing Windows 10
• How to: Determine if an application or hardware device is compatible with Windows 10

Installation

• How to: install Windows 10 from within Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 using Windows Update
• How to: upgrade from previous versions of Windows using Windows 10 ISO file
• How to: Perform a custom installation of Windows
• How to: Perform a clean install of Windows 10
• How to: Upgrade a dual boot installation of Windows and Linux to Windows 10 – Part 1
• How to: setup a dual boot configuration with Windows 10 and previous versions of Windows
• How to: Switch from 32 bit versions of Windows to Windows 10 64 bit
• How to: Complete the Windows 10 Out of Box Experience

Troubleshooting installation:

• How to: Upgrade to Windows 10 if you are on a slow or metered Internet connection?
• How to: 10 things to do if Windows 10 Setup fails.
• How to: Troubleshoot common Setup and Stop Errors during Windows 10 Installation
• How to: Rollback to a previous version of Windows from Windows 10

Customize and Personalize

• How to: enable the Start screen in Windows 10
• Quick Tip: Add Personal Folders to the Start menu
• How to personalize your lock screen in Windows 10
• Quick Tip: Customize which icons appear in the Windows 10 System Tray
• Quick Tip: Create desktop shortcuts in Windows 10

After Installing Windows 10

• How to: 10 things to do after installing Windows 10
• How to: Install and Update drivers in Windows 10
• How to activate the latest Windows 10

Everyday Tasks

• Basics: Using Start and Taskbar in Windows 10
• Basics: Using Apps in Window 10
• Basics: How to open a document in Windows 10
• Quick Tip: Find and launch programs quickly using All Apps in Windows 10
• Basics: Managing Files and Folders using File Explorer in Windows 10
• Basics: Finding information on the Web and in Windows using Cortana
• Basics: Using Settings to customize Windows
• Basics: End your Windows Session – shutting down your PC
• How to: manage running programs and virtual desktops using Task View in Windows 10

Maintenance

• How to know the Edition, Architecture, Channel and build of Windows 10 installed
• How to enable and use the built in Windows Defender for Antivirus Protection in Windows 10
• Quick Tip: Download and Update apps in Windows 10
• How to: Create a Recovery Drive for reinstalling Windows 10
• How to: create a Local Account in Windows 10
• How to: connect to a Microsoft Account in Windows 10

Miscellanous

• How to recover data from a non booting hard disk
• How to locate and open Internet Explorer in Windows 10
• How to disable Cortana on the Windows 10 Taskbar

Advance

• How to: install the latest Windows 10 in Oracle VirtualBox
• How to setup a virtual machine using Hyper-V
• How to add and use a second monitor with Windows 10

How to: Fix Windows 10 Setup Failure

This article can now be found in its entirety at Groovypost.com

Here’s What You Can Do if Windows 10 Upgrade Fails

Remember to check bonus tips section at the bottom for updated information.

Also Review: How to: 10 Tips before installing Windows 10

Thank you,

Andre