Installation Windows 11 on Apple M1/M2

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Mac OS X hosts.
Locked
demodit
Posts: 1
Joined: 18. Feb 2023, 11:26

Installation Windows 11 on Apple M1/M2

Post by demodit »

How to install Windows 11 on Mac with Apple Silicon Processor M1/M2 ?

I was able to download Windows 11 (Windows11_InsiderPreview_Client_ARM64_en-us_22598.VHDX) however a VHDX file is not accepted by Virtualbox 7.0.6
multiOS
Volunteer
Posts: 800
Joined: 14. Sep 2019, 16:51
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: WIN11,10, 7, Linux (various)
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Installation Windows 11 on Apple M1/M2

Post by multiOS »

Windows for ARM is not (yet) supported by VirtualBox; and may not be for some considerable time; see viewtopic.php?f=8&t=107344. That's why the downloads are heavily flagged as both 'Developer Preview' and 'BETA'.

At this stage, the 7.0,x version of VirtualBox is only expected to be able install/run some early 32-bit x86 OS in emulation mode and then possibly only to a limited extent; plus, as you have already found out, VirtualBox doesn't support the VHDX format; and AFAIK those Windows Insider VM Builds are currently created for Qualcomm ARM processors and may not recognise Mac M1/2.
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39156
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Installation Windows 11 on Apple M1/M2

Post by mpack »

Questions about a Win11 guest should not be asked in the "Mac OS Guests" forum. Topic moved to "Mac OS Hosts".

Incidentally, VirtualBox has the ability (using VBoxManage) to convert VHDX to VDI, so that would not have been an insuperable obstacle. The fact that VirtualBox is not an ARM hypervisor (and possibly never shall be) is however fatal.
Locked