Windows 11 ARM ISO

[maxgain]

I have a genuine Windows 11 license. Where can I download a valid ARM ISO file and get it over with already? Without having to run a bunch of scripts and utilities, etc? I would actually like to run both Windows 10 & 11 ARM in Fusion so I can refer to them when I am helping PC users. Thanks!

[Technogeezer]

Microsoft doesn't provide a Windows 11 ARM ISO for download by consumers. Even if you have a "genuine Windows 11 License". Complain to them if you want to "get it over with already".

Even Parallels doesn't download an ISO from Microsoft when they build you a Windows VM. When they "get Windows from Microsoft" they are in reality downloading an Windows 11 ARM 22H2 22621.525 (the "GA" release of Windows 11 22H2) ESD file from Microsoft and converting it to a bootable ISO for you behind the scenes. They just hide it well.

If you have a MSDN or corporate licensing contract it's been reported that there is a Windows 11 ARM ISO there. That doesn't help consumers at all. 

Because of Microsoft's pig-headedness, you're going to have to download the ESD and build the ISO from that. The tool that's available here https://communities.vmware.com/t5/VMware-Fusion-Documents/w11arm-esd2iso-a-script-to-create-Windows-11-ARM-ISOs-from/ta-p/2957381 makes it a lot easier than it used to be (and mimics what Parallels does for you). The only downside is that you have to install 2 open source packages from either Homebrew or MacPorts. But once you've done that, it's under a 10 minute process to get a bootable ISO - not much longer than it would take to download one.

I would hope that when VMware gets its blessing for Windows 11 ARM like Parallels did that the tool noted above will no longer be necessary. Until then if you want to run Windows 11 VMs, this is what you have to do. The good news is that it only needs to be done once.

Don't bother with Windows 10 ARM. It's not supported on Fusion 13, and users have not had good luck getting it to run when they've tried. VMware built their Windows ARM support for Windows 11. The only people that care about Windows 10 ARM are those that are running Surface ARM PCs, and Microsoft is pushing hard for them to upgrade to Windows 11. Windows 11 is an overall better experience than Windows 10 ARM and is the only version that contains their x86_64 translation software which broadens the number of existing PC applications that can run on Windows 11 ARM.

Instructions on using the tool can be found in the README, and in the unofficial Fusion 13 for Apple Silicon Companion guide. https://communities.vmware.com/t5/VMware-Fusion-Documents/The-Unofficial-Fusion-13-for-Apple-Silicon-Companion-Guide/ta-p/2939907 

Version 14 that I'm looking to get published on 22-March will contain a link to a video that does a very nice job of running through the entire process from ISO creation through VM installation.  

 

[ColoradoMarmot]

Let me put in a plug for his script - it's FAR easier than any of the other methods.

 

Make sure you review the other information in that guide - there are currently a lot of limitations for Windows 11 VM's (hopefully we'll see updated tools soon...the silence is getting pretty loud).

[VMware Community Member]

Do you know if till VMWare get the microsoft blessing, it would be a violation of terms if i use it to run Windows 11 ARM?

[ColoradoMarmot]

That’s a year old thread.  Not only is it kosher, you can actually download and install windows 11 right from the install menu in fusion itself.

[Technogeezer]

I am not a lawyer, but practically speaking I wouldn't worry about it.

VMware supports Windows 11 ARM running on Apple Silicon Macs. Microsoft will allow Windows 10 and 11 "retail" and enterprise licenses to license Windows 11 ARM. Microsoft has done nothing that keeps users of Fusion from purchasing Windows licenses and running Windows 11 ARM on Fusion. 

VMware's lawyers now obviously feel that there's no issue with Microsoft as VMware is allowing Fusion to officially support Windows 11 ARM as a guest operating system. And VMware has a lot of business they conduct with Microsoft, so I doubt VMware do anything that would jeopardize that.

IMO I'd treat it as if VMware were an OEM - you should contact VMware first if you have any problems. And quite honestly the biggest issues I've heard of are with VMware's virtual graphics driver - not much with Windows 11 ARM itself.

It still boggles my mind that VMware with all its size and partnership with Microsoft can't or doesn't want to get Microsoft to officially bless Fusion like Microsoft did with Parallels. You can't tell me that Parallels has a better relationship with Microsoft than VMware does.

<edited to clarify some points>

[mausdesign]

http://uupdump.net

[Technogeezer]

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 wrote:

http://uupdump.net

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You can do that if you want to give yourself more headaches and waste your time by having to install a lot of extra stuff you'll only need once (like Xcode, Homebrew, and some open source utility packages). And if you're content with creating a flaky Windows 11 21H2 build because uupdump won't build a 22H2 ISO on macOS.

You'll really be better off by using the Companion Guide and the utility referenced there for a much quicker ISO creation and a much more stable retail channel build of Windows 11 ARM 22H2 (the same build that you get with Parallels, by the way). 

[Technogeezer]

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 wrote:

 I would actually like to run both Windows 10 & 11 ARM in Fusion so I can refer to them when I am helping PC users. Thanks!

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One other note. Don't waste your time with Windows 10 ARM.

• It's not the same as Windows 10 x64
• It's not getting a lot of attention from Microsoft (they want you to run Windows 11)
• 64-bit x64 apps won't work on it (it doesn't have the x64 translator - that's a Windows 11 only feature).
• VMware doesn't support it as a guest OS on Fusion 13
• Users have tried to get it to run have had no success.

 

[Davis Jame]

Hello Broadcom Community,

It sounds like you're ready to dive into Windows 11 ARM! To download a valid ARM ISO file without extra hassle, your best option is to visit Microsoft's official website or use their Windows Insider Program for direct downloads, ensuring authenticity and security. Running both Windows 10 and 11 ARM in Fusion is a great idea for assisting PC users effectively. While you're setting up your environment, consider enhancing your desktop experience by checking out Spotify on Desktop-it's a fantastic tool to keep your workflow smooth with some music in the background! However, for modded versions, exercise caution and prioritize official sources to avoid potential risks.

Thanks a lot!!

[Technogeezer]

@Davis Jame - you might want to consider the following:

Windows 10 ARM is not supported on Fusion nor will it run -- many have tried and failed.  If you want to run Windows 10, run it on an Intel Mac (or a PC running VMware Workstation).

You're correct that "modded" versions should be approached with caution. Obtaining Windows from Microsoft provides a level of assurance that you have a supportable version of Windows (with a level of trust for what's inside). 

There's no need in 2025 to refer most users to the Microsoft Windows Insider Program. The "best option" to get Windows 11 ARM is to use the "Get Windows from Microsoft" feature in Fusion. This option creates an ISO that contains the VMware network driver (which makes Windows Setup go smoothly). The next best option -- a close second -- is to download a Windows 11 ARM ISO from the Microsoft Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for ARM-based PCs site. You will need to install the VMware network driver yourself to complete Windows Setup when using this ISO. Both options give you the official GA channel build of Windows 11 ARM 24H2. 

Note that in 2025 you can also register a Windows 11 ARM VM for the Insider Program from within the VM. You can then switch channels from the release channel to the other Insider Preview channels.  You do need to register for the Windows Insider program and have a license for Windows in order for Windows to switch channels.

If you're looking for an ISO of a Insider Preview build, you won't find one on the Windows Insider website. Instead, you'll need to build one yourself from the UUPdump site on a Windows (physical or virtual) system. Just a heads up, this is not supported and can sometimes cause problems. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a tech-savvy sysadmin or as a last resort.

Your recommendation for "enhancing your desktop experience" appears to be an indirect promotion of a third-party music service rather than directly related to Broadcom products. 

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- Paul (technogeezer)
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