Parallels Desktop for Mac: Update now delivers current Windows 11 build
Previously, you had to get 25H2 yourself with some tricks, now the installer in Parallels Desktop on the Mac delivers the current Windows 11.
Parallels Desktop, here an older version with Windows 10.
(Image: Parallels)
The ARM version of Windows 11 runs smoothly and surprisingly performant as a virtual machine on the Mac. The problem: Anyone who wanted the current main version 25H2 had to fiddle with the infamous Windows Registry to get the update started. Parallels has at least provided some relief for its virtualization solution Parallels Desktop in the latest version 26.3.0, which has just been released: In the future, Windows 11 25H2 will be downloaded by default immediately during new installations of a VM, so it doesn't have to be laboriously obtained after setup. However, one normally cannot avoid installing further updates (especially security fixes) even so, although Parallels promises to deliver the latest build each time. Previously, if you wanted 25H2 right away, you had to get the image yourself; now it's conveniently available via the wizard in Parallels Desktop.
26H1 is not coming to Macs (and others)
However, the change is not helpful if the virtual machine is already older or already exists. Here, you still have to go into the registry to force the update. This is again due to Microsoft's update policy. For those eyeing Windows 11 26H1: This update is not offered by Microsoft for normal users; it is solely for OEMs, i.e., manufacturers and sellers of PCs.
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At first glance, this is a bit of a shame, as the new version is specifically designed for ARM processors. However, it is unlikely that the included adjustments will benefit Mac users, as Microsoft primarily intends to optimize its Windows 11 for new Snapdragons with this. The next real feature update should be 26H2, which will probably also run in Mac VMs.
Further innovations in Parallels Desktop 26.3.0
With the update, Parallels promises further innovations and fixes that are quite important. These include fixes for Windows 11 installations that could get stuck, incorrect display of the licensing status, and bug fixes for Coherence mode when using Office products and other programs.
Certain graphics-intensive Windows apps could also bring down the entire system and require a restart of the Mac. For Mac VMs, problems with Tahoe-26.1 VMs have been fixed (Parallels Tools could not be installed), and it was possible for virtual machines to no longer run at all after an upgrade of the Mac to Tahoe. Linux VMs should be able to handle x86 applications better, and issues with network connections that could occur when switching network modes (shared /bridged) have also been fixed.
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