How to Run Windows Programs on a Mac Without Buying a PC (2026 Guide)
Need Microsoft Access, Power BI Desktop, Visio, QuickBooks Enterprise, ArcGIS Pro, or another Windows-only application?
You don't necessarily need to buy a separate Windows computer.
With Parallels Desktop, you can run Windows 11 on Mac and use Windows applications alongside your Mac apps on a single device. For many users, that means accessing the software they need without the cost, complexity, or inconvenience of maintaining a second computer.
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Why Buy Another Computer If Your Mac Can Already Run Windows?
It happens more often than you'd think. You're happily using a Mac until one piece of software gets in the way.
One student discovers their accounting course requires Microsoft Access. A consultant gets sent a Power BI file by a client. A data analyst needs a Windows-only plugin. An employee starts a new job and learns the company relies on an internal application that only runs on Windows.
The details change, but the problem is usually the same: the software you need runs on Windows, and the computer sitting on your desk is a Mac.
At that point, a lot of people make a surprisingly expensive leap. They stop looking for a way to run the application and start shopping for another computer. That's understandable. For years, that was often the answer.
Need Windows software? Buy a Windows machine.
But modern Macs are capable of a lot more than many people realize. If the only reason you're considering another computer is access to a specific Windows application, it's worth knowing there may be a much simpler solution.
The Real Question Isn’t “Can My Mac Run Windows?”
Most people already know Macs and Windows are different platforms.
The more useful question is this:
How much Windows do you actually need?
If you’re a software developer who spends every day in a Windows environment, your answer may be different from someone who opens Microsoft Access twice a month. The same is true for the business analyst who only needs Power BI Desktop, or the project manager who occasionally updates a Visio diagram, or the small-business owner whose accounting team relies on QuickBooks Enterprise.
In these cases, all you really need is one Windows application, instead of all of Windows. That’s a very different problem to solve.
Windows Applications Mac Users Commonly Need
Certain applications come up repeatedly when Mac users start looking for ways to run Windows.
Common examples include:
Business Software
- Microsoft Access
- Power BI Desktop
- Microsoft Visio
- QuickBooks Enterprise
Developer Tools
- Visual Studio
- SQL Server tools
- Development environments
Industry-Specific Software
- Accounting systems
- Healthcare applications
- Manufacturing software
- Internal corporate applications
For many professionals, purchasing a second computer simply to access one application often feels disproportionate to the actual need.
The Cost Nobody Thinks About
When people discover they need a Windows-only application, they often jump straight to pricing laptops.
That's understandable. For a long time, that was the only practical option.
But if the real requirement is access to a single application—not an entirely separate computing environment—the equation starts to look different.
The price of a Windows laptop is easy to calculate, but the inconvenience is harder to measure.
A second computer means another device to maintain, another system to update, another place where important files can end up living, and another workflow to keep track of. Even if you only need Windows occasionally, you're still carrying the overhead of owning and managing two machines.
That's what makes this situation frustrating for many Mac users. The need is often relatively small—a single application, a specific workflow, or an occasional task—but the traditional solution involves purchasing and maintaining an entirely separate computer.
Virtualization takes a different approach. Instead of adding another device to your desk, it adds Windows to the computer you're already using. For someone who only needs Windows from time to time, that can be a much simpler solution than carrying around a second machine for a handful of tasks each week.
What Are Your Options?
Once you realize a piece of software only runs on Windows, there are several ways to solve the problem.
- Buy a Windows PC
This is the traditional approach. If most of your work happens in Windows, a dedicated Windows machine may be the right choice. The challenge is that many Mac users don't need an entire Windows computer. They need access to one application. Buying another laptop to run a single program can feel like an expensive workaround, especially when that second device comes with its own updates, maintenance, files, and support requirements. - Use a Cloud PC or Virtual Desktop
Cloud-based Windows environments provide access to a remote Windows machine over the internet. They can work well in certain situations, particularly for organizations already invested in virtual desktop infrastructure. The tradeoff is that performance depends heavily on internet connectivity, and recurring subscription costs can add up over time. - Use a Compatibility Tool
Some users turn to tools such as Wine or CrossOver, which attempt to run Windows applications without installing Windows itself. For certain applications, these tools work surprisingly well. For others, compatibility can be inconsistent, and troubleshooting can quickly become a project of its own. - Run Windows on Your Mac with Virtualization
This is the approach many Mac users ultimately choose. Instead of buying another computer or relying on a remote one, Windows runs directly on the Mac you already own. That means you can access Windows applications while continuing to use macOS, keeping your files, workflows, and day-to-day work on a single device.
Learn more about what a virtual machine is.
Why So Many Mac Users Choose Parallels Desktop
Parallels Desktop allows Windows 11 to run alongside macOS on a single device, making it possible to access Windows applications without giving up the Mac workflow you already know.
Instead of moving between two computers, you can work across both operating systems from the same machine. For example, you can:
- Update a Power BI report in Windows while working in Excel for Mac.
- Use Microsoft Access for a class project while keeping Safari and Microsoft Teams open.
- Launch a Windows-only business application, complete your work, and return to your Mac apps without switching devices.
Windows becomes another workspace that's available when you need it—not another computer you need to purchase, maintain, and manage.
Parallels Desktop is Microsoft's authorized solution for running Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise on Apple silicon Macs. It supports both Intel-based Macs and Apple silicon systems, including M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5 models.
According to Parallels product analytics, users run more than 200,000 Windows applications through Windows 11 on Arm using Parallels Desktop. That includes everything from productivity software and developer tools to industry-specific applications and proprietary business software.
For many Mac users, that means they can continue using the hardware they already own while maintaining access to the Windows applications their work, education, or business requires.
Learn more about the Microsoft-authorized Windows solution
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How to Install Windows Apps on a Mac Using Parallels Desktop
Once Parallels Desktop is installed, getting your Windows applications running on a Mac is straightforward.
Step 1: Download Parallels Desktop
Download and install Parallels Desktop on your Mac.
Step 2: Install Windows 11
Parallels Desktop guides you through installing and configuring Windows 11. On supported Macs, the setup process is streamlined so you can get Windows running without manually configuring everything yourself.
Step 3: Launch Windows
Open Windows directly from your Mac whenever you need it. You do not have to reboot or switch devices.
Step 4: Install Your Windows Applications
Install the Windows software you need, such as Microsoft Access, Power BI Desktop, QuickBooks Enterprise, Visual Studio, or internal business applications.
Step 5: Run Windows and Mac Apps Together
Use Windows applications alongside Safari, Microsoft 365, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and other macOS apps. Your Windows apps are available when you need them, and your Mac workflow stays intact.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Macs run Windows programs?
Yes. Modern Macs can run Windows 11 through Parallels Desktop, allowing you to use many Windows applications without purchasing a separate PC. Windows runs alongside macOS, so you can access the software you need while continuing to use your Mac as normal.
Do I need to buy a Windows PC to run Windows software?
Not necessarily. If you only need access to a few Windows applications, buying another computer may be unnecessary. Many Mac users run Windows software directly on their Mac using Parallels Desktop instead of purchasing and maintaining a second device.
Can Apple silicon Macs run Windows applications?
Yes. Apple silicon Macs, including M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5 models, can run Windows 11 on Arm using Parallels Desktop. This allows users to access many Windows applications on the same Mac they already use every day.
What kinds of Windows applications do people commonly run on a Mac?
Some of the most common examples include Microsoft Access, Power BI Desktop, Microsoft Visio, QuickBooks Enterprise, Visual Studio, ArcGIS Pro, SQL Server tools, and proprietary business applications that only support Windows. Many users turn to Parallels Desktop when they need one of these applications but don't want to purchase a separate Windows computer.
What is the easiest way to run Windows software on a Mac?
For many users, virtualization offers the simplest experience. Windows runs directly on the Mac, allowing you to access Windows and macOS applications side by side without rebooting, switching devices, or relying on a remote connection.
Can I try Parallels Desktop before buying?
Yes. Parallels Desktop includes a free 14-day trial, giving you the opportunity to install Windows, test the applications you rely on, and see how they perform on your Mac before making a purchase decision.
Final Thoughts
For a long time, needing a Windows application usually meant buying a Windows computer.
Today, that's not always the case.
If the only reason you're considering another laptop is access to a specific application, it may be worth taking a step back and looking at the problem differently. Do you really need another computer, or do you just need access to one piece of software?
For many Mac users, running Windows on the Mac they already own is the simpler answer. It keeps everything in one place, avoids the hassle of managing a second device, and makes it possible to use the Windows applications they need without changing the way they like to work.
That's what Parallels Desktop is designed to do: give you access to Windows applications when you need them while letting your Mac remain your primary computer.
Try the free 14-day trial and see whether the application you're looking for runs on the Mac already sitting on your desk.
