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You can run Windows apps on a MacBook Air, but the right method depends on whether it has an Intel processor or Apple silicon. Check Apple menu → About This Mac: if it says Chip, use a Windows 11 Arm virtual machine such as Parallels for local access, or Windows 365 to stream a Cloud PC. If it says Processor, Boot Camp may be available on supported Intel models, but it requires restarting into Windows rather than running Windows apps alongside macOS.
Check which MacBook Air you have
- Open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac.
- Look for Chip or Processor. Apple silicon Macs show a chip name; Intel Macs show a processor. Apple’s Mac computers with Apple silicon list includes MacBook Air models introduced in 2022 or later and MacBook Air (M1, 2020).
This distinction determines your choices: Boot Camp is for compatible Intel Macs, while Apple’s documented local Windows route on Apple silicon is a virtual machine running Windows 11 Arm.
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Choose the method that fits your Mac and workflow
| Method | Mac and access | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Parallels Desktop with Windows 11 Arm | Local virtual machine on Apple silicon; use Windows while macOS is running. | Check the app, drivers, graphics requirements, current Parallels compatibility, and Windows licensing. |
| Windows 365 Cloud PC | Streams a Windows environment to a Mac, including Macs with M-series chips. | It is a cloud-hosted service rather than a local Windows installation. Microsoft describes it as a per-user, per-month service for organizations; check eligibility, network requirements, and current terms. |
| Boot Camp | Partition and restart a compatible Intel Mac to use Windows. | Apple documents Windows 10 installation for MacBook Air models introduced 2012–2020, excluding M1 (2020). Check support for your exact model and Windows version. |
Run Windows locally on an Apple silicon MacBook Air
On an M-series Air, Apple’s Boot Camp instructions do not apply. Microsoft’s documented local option is Windows 11 Arm in Parallels Desktop. Microsoft lists Parallels Desktop versions 18, 19, and 20 as authorized for Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise virtual machines on M1, M2, and M3 Macs. That specific authorization does not establish support for later chips or other Parallels versions; check Microsoft’s current guidance before installing.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Install Windows 11 Arm in Parallels
- Confirm your Air has Apple silicon in Apple menu → About This Mac.
- Check the current Parallels edition, supported macOS version, and Windows compatibility. Parallels’ installation guide directs Apple silicon users to an Arm-based Windows installation image.
- Install Windows 11 Arm as a virtual machine by following Parallels’ current setup instructions. Parallels says Windows 10 Arm is no longer supported on M-series Macs because Microsoft no longer supports it.
- Install the Windows app inside the virtual machine and test its required features and any connected devices before relying on it for work.
Windows 11 Pro licensing is separate from the virtualization software. Microsoft says you need a Windows 11 Pro license if you do not already have one, and each Pro instance needs its own unique license. Check Microsoft’s Windows 11 options for M1, M2, and M3 Macs for its licensing and configuration guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Check app, driver, and graphics compatibility before committing
Windows 11 Arm can run many Windows apps, but compatibility is not guaranteed. Microsoft says the preferred experience on the covered M1, M2, and M3 configurations is 64-bit Arm apps; x86 and x64 apps can also run through emulation. The same Microsoft guidance lists limitations including 32-bit Arm apps, some experiences requiring nested virtualization, and applications that depend on DirectX 12. See the Windows Arm-based PCs FAQ for further qualifications about virtualization.
Parallels’ Windows 11 on Apple silicon limitations, last reviewed August 25, 2026, says some x86 apps may not work and nested virtualization is unavailable. It lists graphics support as DirectX 11.1 and OpenGL 4.3. A program that needs DirectX 12, a particular graphics feature, an anti-cheat component, or a specialized driver may therefore be unsuitable even if Windows itself starts successfully.
Rank #2
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
- Check whether the developer offers an Arm64 version of the app, or explicitly supports running its x86/x64 version under Windows 11 Arm.
- For printers, scanners, security keys, and other peripherals, ask the device maker whether a compatible Arm64 driver is available. An x86/x64 driver is not automatically usable as an Arm64 driver.
- For professional software and games, verify the exact app version, graphics API, hardware features, and any anti-cheat or virtualization requirements with the vendor.
Use Boot Camp on a compatible Intel MacBook Air
Apple’s Boot Camp instructions document Windows 10 installation on Intel MacBook Air models introduced from 2012 through 2020, excluding the M1 MacBook Air (2020). This is Apple’s documented Windows 10 path, not a blanket statement that every Intel Air supports a current Windows release. Verify your exact model and the Windows version’s requirements before proceeding.
Install and switch operating systems
- Confirm your Mac is Intel-based and matches an Air model covered by Apple’s Boot Camp guidance.
- Read Apple’s Install Windows 10 on your Mac with Boot Camp Assistant and follow its preparation and installation steps for your model.
- To switch between macOS and Windows, restart the Mac and select the operating system. Apple’s restart guide explains the process.
Boot Camp runs Windows after a restart; it does not let you use Windows apps beside Mac apps in the same macOS session.
Rank #3
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
When to choose a streamed Windows desktop
Windows 365 is an alternative when you need a Windows environment on an Apple silicon Air but do not want Windows installed locally. It streams a Cloud PC to the Mac, so practical use depends on a suitable network and access to the service. Microsoft describes Windows 365 as a per-user, per-month service for organizations; confirm organizational eligibility and current service terms before choosing it.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
- FOUR STUNNING COLORS. ONE DURABLE DESIGN — Choose from four beautiful colors — Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo — each with a color-coordinated keyboard. And MacBook Neo is made with a durable recycled aluminum enclosure that helps it reach 60 percent recycled content by weight — the most ever in any Apple product.*
- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
Rank #4
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Make the decision
- Need Windows open beside macOS on an Apple silicon Air? Start with Windows 11 Arm in Parallels, then verify the exact app and device requirements and licensing.
- Need a remotely hosted Windows desktop? Check whether your organization can provide Windows 365 and whether your connection suits the work.
- Have a supported Intel Air and can restart to switch systems? Review Apple’s Boot Camp model and Windows guidance before installing.
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