Run ArcGIS on Mac with Parallels Desktop

Yes, you can run ArcGIS on any Mac with macOS 12 (Monterey) or higher and Parallels 19 or higher, including Mac computers with Apple M1, M2, or M3 series chips. Discover how to get the current version here.

Parallels Desktop gets you up and running with Windows 11 in just one click and it is a Microsoft-authorized solution.

See how Parallels Desktop is optimized to run ArcGIS and more in this knowledge base article.

Running ArcGIS in a virtual machine on your Mac shouldn’t affect performance significantly; however, if your Mac is slow, you may need to purchase additional memory to improve its overall performance.

If you encounter an error message when launching ArcGIS Pro that prompts you to download and install the Microsoft .NET Desktop Runtime x64 framework, you can follow these directions to resolve the issue.

ArcGIS integrates with Microsoft Office 365 apps such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for various purposes, such as data import/export, reporting, and presentation.

The Windows version of ArcGIS seamlessly integrates with Office 365, allowing users to directly access and manipulate data stored in Excel spreadsheets, generate reports in Word documents, or create presentations in PowerPoint.

While ArcGIS for macOS still supports integration with Microsoft Office, users may experience limitations or differences in functionality compared to the Windows version.

For example, certain advanced features that rely heavily on Windows-specific APIs might not be available or might behave differently on macOS.

Yes, Parallels Desktop enables you to run the Windows version of ArcGIS, which relies on various third-party libraries and dependencies for certain functionalities.

It serves as an alternative to ArcGIS for Mac, because some of these libraries might have limited support or compatibility on macOS.

This may affect the availability or performance of specific features or workflows within ArcGIS.

Parallels Desktop provides exclusive discounts of up to 50% for students enrolled in a qualified institution or professional educators employed at an eligible institution. Get started by verifying your student discount eligibility.

Learn more about Parallels Desktop as a recommended solution in this guide to installing Parallels Desktop and running ArcGIS on your Mac. Parallels Desktop has been recommended by leading academic solutions to run ArcGIS and other GIS apps on Mac, even if the software is built for Windows.

Academic institutions incorporate ArcGIS Pro into their curriculum for courses related to mapping and cartography, geography, environmental science, urban planning, civil engineering, public health, and more.

By using Parallels Desktop as a bridge between popular Mac hardware and Windows-based ArcGIS Pro software, universities empower students and educators to learn and teach across platforms.

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