Running Windows Games on Your M1 Mac with Parallels

Are you an avid gamer who wants to play Windows games on your M1 Mac? Look no further than Parallels, a popular virtual machine software that allows you to run Windows on your Mac. In this article, we'll explore how to set up a Windows VM on your M1 Mac using Parallels and play Windows games through it.

Understanding the Limitations

Before we dive into the setup process, it's essential to understand the limitations of running Windows games on your M1 Mac with Parallels. First, note that the trial version of Parallels only allows you to allocate 8 GB of RAM to the VM, so even if your Mac has more than 8 GB of RAM, you won't be able to give more than 8 GB to the VM.

Additionally, Parallels is a paid program, which means you'll need to purchase it if you want to use it long-term. Also, keep in mind that your Mac needs to meet the recommended requirements for the game you want to play through Parallels, not just the minimum requirements. This is because your Mac will still be running on macOS while you're using Windows through the Parallels VM.

Setting Up a Windows VM

To set up a Windows VM on your M1 Mac with Parallels, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and Install Parallels

Download the Parallels software from their official website and install it on your Mac.

Step 2: Creating a Parallels Virtual Machine

Once installed, launch Parallels and create a new virtual machine (VM). Choose the Windows operating system you want to use and allocate the necessary resources (RAM, CPU cores, etc.).

Playing Windows Games through Parallels

With your VM set up, you can now play Windows games through it. The Parallels VM emulates the Windows OS while your Mac is still running on macOS. This means you can do almost anything within the VM that you could do on a normal Windows PC, including downloading, installing, and playing most Windows games.

In summary, using Parallels to create a Windows VM on your M1 Mac and play Windows games through it is a popular way of getting games that don't have a Mac version to run on a Mac. By following these steps and understanding the limitations, you can enjoy your favorite Windows games on your M1 Mac with Parallels.

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