On Intel Macs, Boot Camp let you restart into Windows. Macs with Apple silicon don't have it. Here's what you can use instead to run Windows apps.
Last updated: 2026-11-07
Boot Camp only works on Intel Macs: Macs with M1, M2, M3 or M4 chips can't install Windows that way. To run Windows programs on them, you can run the apps directly with CrossDriver App, without installing Windows at all, or install the Arm version of Windows 11 in a virtual machine such as Parallels Desktop.
| Install Windows? | Windows license | How apps open | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossDriver App | No | Not needed | Each app in its own Mac window, in about 2 seconds |
| Virtual machine (Parallels Desktop, UTM) | Yes, Windows 11 for Arm | Needed | Inside Windows, after it starts |
| Boot Camp | Not possible on Apple silicon | — | — |
A virtual machine runs a complete copy of Windows. That means buying a Windows license, setting aside tens of gigabytes of disk and several gigabytes of memory, and starting Windows before you can open your app. On Apple silicon it has to be the Arm version of Windows 11, which Microsoft says has limitations with some hardware, games and apps.
If you only need one or two Windows programs, CrossDriver App runs them directly: no Windows to install or update, and a new environment takes a few megabytes rather than a whole system.
CrossDriver App runs on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio and Mac Pro with any M-series chip, and on Intel Macs, with macOS 12 or later.
No. Apple's Boot Camp requires a Mac with an Intel processor. Macs with Apple silicon can run Windows apps with CrossDriver App or a virtual machine instead.
The Arm version of Windows 11 can run in a virtual machine such as Parallels Desktop. With CrossDriver App you don't need Windows at all: the Windows apps themselves run on the Mac.
Install CrossDriver App and drag the program's installer onto it. Popular apps such as Office, Access, Visio and QuickBooks Desktop have a ready-made setup in the Setup Center.
Yes. CrossDriver App runs on every Mac with Apple silicon, including the Mac mini with M4.
Every Pro feature is free during the preview, until December 31, 2026
Download the CrossDriver App preview