No Windows ARM on M1 Macs because of Qualcomm / Microsoft?

Microsoft still doesn’t offer Windows ARM on Apple’s new Macs that have the M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max chips. Those who really want to use it have to go through Parallels Desktop to virtualize Windows 10 or 11. But installing it on Macs is not possible. The reason is (perhaps) finally known.

An upcoming arrival of Windows ARM on the Mac M1?

XDA-Developers let it be known that Windows ARM has only been officially available on devices that have Snapdragon chips following an agreement between Microsoft and Qualcomm, which was not known until now. The deal in question is said to be about to expire, but the date is not disclosed. Microsoft will thus be able to authorize other manufacturers to offer computers with Windows ARM.

Naturally, this opening could (in theory) allow Microsoft to offer licenses of Windows ARM on Mac M1. Apple has already said the ball is in Microsoft’s court to have Apple Silicon Mac support. But it will take a change in marketing because licenses are currently offered to manufacturers and only them. A user cannot buy one for themselves, unlike the non-ARM version of Windows.

However, you have to be careful. In September, a Microsoft spokesperson said Windows ARM on the M1 Macs was not a “Supported scenario”. Was this statement related to the current agreement with Qualcomm? It’s a possibility.