How to create a Virtual Machine for Windows 11 in UTM on macOS (M Series Mac devices) (2021 or later)

Step 1.) Download UTM and Install it https://mac.getutm.app/

        A.) Once UTM downloads, double click on the file. Then, click and drag the UTM icon to the Applications folder. When it finishes installing, open Finder and search "UTM" by clicking the Magnifying Glass icon in the top right of the screen. Double click to open the program. Open and allow the app to run.

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Step 2.) Download a Windows 11 ISO https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

        A.) Make sure to click on "Select Download" under "Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 Devices" and select "Windows 11".

        B.) Select "English" as the Product Language and Confirm.

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Step 3: In UTM, hit the plus button to create a new Virtual Machine

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Step 4: Select "Emulation" and then click "Windows" under the "Preconfigured" section

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Step 5: Leave the default options checked, then browse and select the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded earlier

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Step 6: Set the Memory and Core allocation

       A.) The minimum recommended allocation for Memory is 10240MB (10gb) and at least 4 Cores.

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Step 7: Set the Storage Allocation

       A.) The minimum recommended storage is 80gb.

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Step 8: Click the button "Open VM Settings" and then Save the configuration

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Step 9: Under "System" click the "Force Multicore" option

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Step 10: Under "QEMU" leave only "RNG Device" checked, as shown here, then Save

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Step 11: Start the Virtual Machine

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Step 12: When it prompts, click any key on the button to boot into the Windows 11 ISO and start the installation

        A.) You must hit the key quickly, as the prompt disappears within 5 seconds

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Step 13: Follow along with the Windows 11 installation guide herehttps://services.tctc.edu/TDClient/323/InfoTech/KB/ArticleDet?ID=21323

**Note: Windows 11 runs notably slower on M Series Mac Devices that are Emulating it through UTM.

 

Step 14: When Windows finishes installing, it will take you to the setup screen, then to the Desktop. Follow through with the prompts for the Spice Tools.

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Step 15: Once the installation finishes, it will launch into Windows 11. Hit the Windows icon beside the Search Bar, and Shut Down the Virtual Machine.

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Step 16: Select and Clear the ISO for Windows 11

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Step 17: Relaunch and use Windows 11 :)

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*Please note, Windows 11 does not run very fast through UTM on M Series Mac devices. If you allocate more Memory and CPU Cores, you may see faster performance, though it is known to be slower this route, as Emulating the CPU Architecture for Windows 11 is slower than Virtualizing it on the Intel Chipset Mac Devices (2019 or older).

**For M Series Mac Devices, make sure to choose Emulation, not Virtualization. M Series Mac Devices cannot Virtualize Windows, as it does not match the native architecture of the device. Windows 11 ISO's are currently x86_64, at the time of writing this article and thus not ARM based.