Why Windows Isn't Officially Available for Apple Silicon Macs

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For years, it was possible to run Windows on a Mac thanks to Boot Camp. Windows was officially supported that way, but that has changed with the arrival of Macs with Apple Silicon. These Mac models are based on ARM's chip architecture, of which no official public Windows version is available. Now it turns out what may be the main reason for this: a deal between Microsoft and Qualcomm. But the deal could be coming to an end soon.

Deal between Microsoft and Qualcomm on Windows on ARM

According to XDA, a special agreement between Microsoft and Qualcomm is currently ongoing when it comes to Windows on ARM chips. Qualcomm makes several ARM chips and has helped Microsoft create an ARM version of Windows in the past. As part of the agreement, Qualcomm has the exclusive temporary right to Windows on ARM chips.

The good news is that the deal looks set to expire soon, opening the doors for other chip manufacturers. It is not clear when the agreement will end, but according to the source that would not last too long. MediaTek, another company that builds ARM chips, already has plans to make such chips that can run Windows.

In the long run, this could be good news for Mac users who need to perform certain tasks. depend on Windows. However, it is far from certain whether official support for Windows on an Apple Silicon Mac will actually come, even after the deal expires. Earlier, Microsoft announced that it has no plans for Windows 11 on Apple Silicon, but what is not can always come. In the meantime, it is possible to use Windows on Apple Silicon Macs via virtual machines. A common option is Parallels Desktop.