Unleashing UTM: The Ultimate Guide to Virtual Machines on Mac M1/M2 Silicon Chips.
Apple’s entry into the processor market with M1 and M2 processors is a breakthrough, as the computing world witnesses a comprehensive improvement in performance and efficiency. These chipsets not only add flavour to Mac, but they redefine it, moreover in an instance of virtualization. For tech enthusiasts, developers, or anyone in need of a multi-operation system on their Mac, UTM is the toolkit to be mastered. This article focuses on how UTM could be used to run a virtual machine or VMs with Mac M1/M2 Silicon Chips. This guide will also provide a series of operating systems installation and performance optimization tips.
What is UTM?
UTM demands attention in the virtualization software environment for its native operational system (OS) support on M1 and M2 Silicon Chips, and it does not only apply to macOS. With the help of VMs, the macOS operating system can directly run on virtual machines, bringing chips into play and taking full use of them while being more efficient. Upon installing UTM, users will get a wide choice of operating systems. This allows one to use such systems as Windows, Linux and other processes without switching their Macs.
Getting Started with UTM on Mac M1/M2 Silicon Chips
Ensuring your Mac is up to date with the latest macOS version is the first step toward virtualization with UTM. This ensures compatibility and smooth operation. UTM can be downloaded directly from its official website or the Mac App Store, making access to this powerful tool straightforward.
How to Install UTM on Mac M1/M2 Silicon Chips
Visit to following URL to download UTM
https://mac.getutm.app/
Learn more about UTM by visiting the GitHub repository mentioned below.
Following the download, the UTM installation process is user-friendly. Open the installer and follow the prompts to get UTM up and running on your Mac. Once installed, UTM’s intuitive interface makes creating your first VM an effortless task.
Downloading and Installing Windows 11 ARM-Based ISO Using UTM
To install Windows 11 on ARM, which is designed for ARM-based chips like the M1 and M2:
1. Download the latest Windows 11 through UTM with crystal
STEP 1: The UTM welcome screen should be like this with options to create virtual machines
STEP 2: Click on Create a new virtual machine
STEP 3: Select Virtualize Option
STEP 4: Select Windows Option
STEP 5: (Optional) Click on fetch the latest Windows installer link and it will be redirected to the app store to download CrystalFetchISO Downloader as mentioned in Step 6.
STEP 6: (Optional) Install CrystalFetchISO from the app store
STEP 7: (Optional) After the installation is complete, a window will open with configuration options to download the latest Windows 11. Select "Windows 11" as the version and "Apple silicon" as the architecture, then click the download button. The download will start, and once it's done, a save file dialogue will open. Select a folder to save the downloaded ISO file.
STEP 8: If you haven’t completed the optional step, you can download Windows 11 from the UTM library by clicking on the "Download Prebuilt from UTM Gallery" link.
2. Set up a new VM with the Windows 11 ISO as the source.
STEP 1: Open the UTM application and select Create a new virtual machine
STEP 2: Select virtualize option
STEP 3: Select the windows option
STEP 4: Browse the ISO file from the saved location and hit continue
STEP 5: Adjust the configuration based on your requirement
STEP 6: Adjust the storage based on the available space. (Minimum 50GB of storage is required for Windows installation.) and then hit continue
STEP 7: In this step, you will be able to select a shared folder (it’s optional).
STEP 8: Please ensure that all the configurations are correct in the summary window.
STEP 9: Once all the configurations are done hit save and it will redirect to the UTM app home window.
STEP 10: Select a relevant VM from the sidebar and hit the play button to start the Virtual Machine and continue the windows installation
3. How to Download and Install Kali Linux on UTM
Kali Linux, renowned among security professionals, is also compatible with Mac Silicon Chips via UTM. Installation involves:
STEP 1: Visit the UTM official site via the following URL
https://mac.getutm.app/gallery/
STEP 2: Click on Kali Linux, and it will redirect you to the download page.
STEP 3: Click on the download button and it will download the Kali Linux as a zip file or you can directly open the VM on UTM
STEP 4: Follow the same Virtual Machine configuration mentioned in the Windows 11 installation steps to set up a new virtual machine. The only step you need to change is, instead of selecting the virtualize or emulate option, open the ISO file directly and continue.
STEP 5: Once you successfully create the VM, it will be added to the sidebar of the UTM application, and then you will be able to run Kali Linux.
4. Installing Windows Server on UTM
Windows Server, with its array of enterprise-grade features, can be installed on UTM by:
STEP 1: Visit to following URL to download the Windows Server 2019
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/download-windows-server-2019
STEP 2: Click on the 64-bit edition and it will start downloading the ISO file
STEP 3: Open UTM and create a new Virtual Machine
STEP 4: Select emulate option
STEP 5: Select Windows option
STEP 6: Browse and select the downloaded ISO file
Then follow the same procedure for the rest of the steps that we used for installing Windows 11 earlier, and you will be able to run the Windows server successfully on UTM.
Optimizing Virtual Machines on UTM
For optimal VM performance on Mac M1/M2 Silicon Chips, it’s crucial to allocate resources wisely. UTM’s flexible settings allow for the adjustment of CPU cores and RAM to meet the needs of the guest OS without overburdening the host system.
Security Considerations When Running Virtual Machines
Security is paramount in virtualisation. UTM incorporates several security measures to protect your VMs. Adhering to best practices such as regular updates and strong passwords is also advisable to ensure a secure virtual environment.
Advanced Features of UTM
Beyond running different OSes, UTM offers advanced functionalities like snapshotting for saving and restoring VM states, and support for external device integration, making it a comprehensive solution for Mac virtualization.
FAQs
Can any version of Windows be run on UTM?
ARM-based versions are recommended for compatibility with Mac Silicon Chips.
Is UTM free?
UTM is available in both free and paid versions, with advanced features available in the latter.
How does UTM’s performance compare to Intel-based Macs?
UTM leverages the M1/M2 chips’ efficiency, often outperforming VMs on Intel-based Macs.
Conclusion
UTM unlocks a new realm of possibilities for Mac users, enabling the running of multiple operating systems on the innovative M1/M2 Silicon Chips. This guide provides a foundation for harnessing the power of UTM for virtualization, from installing different OSes to optimizing VM performance. Embrace the capabilities of your Mac with UTM for a truly versatile computing experience.