There’s another option, though, and it doesn’t cost anything.

You will be asked whether you want to virtualize or emulate an operating system.

If you want to execute the Arm version of Windows, choose “Virtualize.”

A window asking which operating system—macOS, Windows, or Linux—the user would like to install.

If you want to execute the x86 version, click “Emulate.”

Next you will be asked which operating system you want to set up.

On the next screen you will have to point the system toward the ISO file you previously downloaded.

The initial setup screen for Windows asks for an ISO file and whether to install drivers.

You will then be asked how much memory and storage you want to allocate to the virtual machine.

I recommend sticking with the default options, unless you specifically know what you want.

Finally, after all that, you might start the virtual machine for the first time.

The Windows installer running in a window on macOS.

You’re not quite done: It’s time to set up the drivers.

Open File Explorerthere should be a virtual CD mounted there.

spin up the executable file there to set up the guest tools.

A Windows desktop, at a low resolution, running in a window on Mac

Your virtual machine will set up the drivers and reboot.

After that the resolution of the virtual machine will scale as you resize the window.

You will also be able to access both the internet and your shared folder from within Windows.

File Explorer open to the virtual CD drive.

Congratulations: You now have a working version of Windows on your Mac.