Obtaining and Installing a Windows 11 Virtual Machine (Students Only)

Question

How do I create a Windows 11 virtual machine on my personal Mac?

Who can use this?

This option is only open to current BGSU students.

Notes 

Beginning Aug. 1, 2025, ITS will no longer assist with the installation of Windows virtual machines on personal Mac devices. The information in this article outlines how a student can obtain a Windows 11 license key and install a Windows 11 virtual machine on their own.

Answer

Obtaining a Windows 11 License Key

Students can purchase a Windows 11 license key download from the following Microsoft website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-11-home/dg7gmgf0krt0/000P.

Microsoft Azure for Education provides Windows license keys for students who confirm their student eligibility, however, ITS cannot guarantee this will be a long-term option. To find a Windows 11 license key through Microsoft Azure, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the Microsoft Azure Education website.
  2. Enter your BGSU email address to redirect the webpage to the BGSU single sign-on (SSO) page.
  3. Enter your BGSU username and password, then authenticate through Duo.
  4. Select Software on the left-hand side.
  5. Search for Windows 11 and select Windows 11 Education, version 24H2.
  6. Select View Key.

 

Creating Windows 11 Virtual Machine

Students will be responsible for purchasing and installing their own virtual machine software on their personal computers. Parallels offers education pricing on their virtual machine software which can be found here: https://www.parallels.com/plans/education/.

Instructions on how to set up your Mac to use Parallels can be found on their support page, linked here.

For additional assistance, please contact Information Technology Services at 419-372-0999 or through chat.

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