How to Use Windows 365 on Mac With Windows App: Setup, Features, and Limits

• 02 November 2026
• Windows 365
• Written by Editorial Team

You can use Windows 365 on a Mac with Microsoft’s Windows App or a web browser, and it works on both Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Windows 365 streams a full Windows desktop, called a Cloud PC, from Microsoft’s cloud to your Mac. Windows-only software runs on the Cloud PC, while your Mac supplies the screen, keyboard, and trackpad. There is no Boot Camp, no local virtual machine, and no Windows to install on the Mac itself. All you need is a Cloud PC assigned to you and a free app from the Mac App Store.

This guide is for Mac users and the IT teams that support them. It explains how Windows 365 compares with other ways to run Windows on a Mac, what you need, how to set it up step by step, how displays, keyboard, Teams, files, and printing behave on macOS, which features Windows App for Mac does not support, how Windows 365 compares with a local virtual machine such as Parallels Desktop, and what administrators should configure. Details come from Microsoft’s own documentation, linked throughout.

Key Takeaways

Can You Run Windows on a Mac?

Yes, and there are three main ways to do it. Which one fits depends on your Mac, your applications, and whether you need to work offline. Windows 365 is the cloud option: your Windows desktop runs in Microsoft’s datacenters, and your Mac connects to it (if the idea is new to you, here is how a Cloud PC works). The other two run Windows on the Mac itself.

Option	How It Works	Works On	Watch Out For
Windows 365 Cloud PC	Windows runs in Microsoft’s cloud and streams to your Mac	Apple silicon and Intel Macs that can run Windows App or a browser	Needs an internet connection and a work or school account
Local virtual machine	Windows runs on your Mac inside software such as Parallels Desktop	Apple silicon Macs run Windows 11 for Arm, and Intel Macs can run other versions	Uses your Mac’s memory and storage, and you manage Windows licensing and updates
Boot Camp	Your Mac restarts directly into Windows	Intel Macs only	Not available on Apple silicon, and switching needs a restart

The Apple silicon point is the one that surprises people. Boot Camp only works on Intel Macs, so on a modern Mac with an M-series chip your local choice is a virtual machine running the Arm version of Windows 11. Microsoft’s support guidance for Macs with Apple M1, M2, and M3 chips names two authorized routes: Parallels Desktop running Arm versions of Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise, and a Windows 365 Cloud PC. Parallels, for its part, notes that some features are missing from a local virtual machine, mainly because nested virtualization is not available, and the Cloud PC route is how Microsoft suggests getting those features.

Windows 365 vs Microsoft 365 for Mac: Do You Need Both?

A lot of Mac users searching for this topic really want to know whether they need Windows at all. Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams have native versions for Mac, and Microsoft’s support documentation confirms its Office apps run natively on Apple silicon as well as Intel Macs. If your work lives in those apps, you may not need a Cloud PC.

Windows 365 earns its place when you need Windows itself. Some software has no Mac version at all, such as Microsoft Access and Power BI Desktop. Other programs behave differently or offer fewer features on the Mac, and some organizations require Windows-only security or line-of-business tools. In those cases a Cloud PC gives you the real thing, and your Mac apps keep running alongside it. The two services are complementary: Microsoft 365 supplies the applications, and Windows 365 supplies a Windows computer to run the ones that need it.

Why Use Windows 365 on a Mac?

• Windows Apps Without Compatibility Worry

  A Cloud PC is a full Windows desktop, so Windows-only software such as Power BI Desktop and many line-of-business programs run there as they would on a Windows laptop. Your Mac’s chip, Intel or Apple silicon, stops being a factor, because the Windows apps never run on it.

• Nothing to Maintain on the Mac

  There is no virtual machine to patch, no Windows license to activate on the Mac, and no disk space or memory given up to Windows. Administrators manage the Cloud PC in Microsoft Intune, and the Mac stays a Mac.

• One Managed Desktop for Mixed Fleets

  Organizations with both Macs and PCs can give everyone the same Windows environment, secured by the same Conditional Access and device policies. That is easier to audit than a collection of local virtual machines.

• Features a Local Virtual Machine Lacks

  Microsoft documents support for virtualization-based workloads, such as running Hyper-V based tools, on Cloud PCs with at least 4 vCPU and 16 GB of RAM. That matters to developers and testers who need nested virtualization, which a local Windows virtual machine on Apple silicon does not offer.

• Data Stays Off the Laptop

  Because the work happens in the cloud, a lost or stolen MacBook is less likely to mean lost files. That helps bring-your-own-device programs and regulated teams, and it is why many IT departments prefer it for contractors.

What You Need Before You Start

• A Windows 365 Cloud PC assigned to you. Your organization buys and assigns the license, and the Cloud PC must finish provisioning first. Our checklist of client and license requirements covers what administrators need.
• A work or school account. Windows 365 is a business service, and a personal Microsoft account will not sign you in.
• A Mac that meets the app’s requirements. The Mac App Store listing for Windows App currently requires macOS 13.0 or later. Check the listing before you deploy, because requirements can change.
• An internet connection. A Cloud PC streams over the network, so there is no offline mode.
• Optional extras. An external monitor or two, a headset for calls, and a second authentication method such as Microsoft Authenticator or a passkey.

If you are still choosing a plan, the current plan pricing by edition shows what is available, and every edition works with a Mac.

How to Set Up Windows 365 on a Mac

The setup is short once a Cloud PC exists. These six steps take you from the Mac App Store to a working Windows desktop.

• Step 1: Confirm a Cloud PC Is Assigned to You

  Ask your administrator to confirm your license and that the Cloud PC has finished provisioning. If nothing is assigned, there is nothing to connect to, which is the most common reason a first sign-in looks empty.

• Step 2: Install Windows App From the Mac App Store

  Open the Mac App Store and search for Windows App from Microsoft Corporation. It is free. Windows App connects to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft Dev Box, and Remote Desktop Services from a single app.

• Step 3: Sign In With Your Work or School Account

  Open the app and add your work or school account. Microsoft Entra ID will ask for any multi-factor authentication your organization requires, and the app then loads the Cloud PCs and apps assigned to you.

• Step 4: Open Your Cloud PC

  Select your Cloud PC in the app and connect. Within moments you see your Windows desktop. If you have more than one assigned, such as a Windows 365 Reserve Cloud PC as a backup, they appear in the same place.

• Step 5: Set Up Your Displays

  Windows App for Mac supports dynamic resolution, smart sizing, external monitors, and multiple monitors. Choose whether the session fills one screen, spans several, or runs in a window that resizes with you.

• Step 6: Check What You Can Do

  Try copying text between your Mac and the Cloud PC, saving a file, and joining a Teams call. If something does not work, it is usually an administrator setting rather than a fault, and the troubleshooting table below shows what to ask for.

No App? Use a Browser

You can also open a Cloud PC in a web browser on your Mac, with nothing to install. Windows 365 Business users go to windows365.microsoft.com, and Windows 365 Enterprise users go to windows.cloud.microsoft, according to Microsoft’s Business and Enterprise comparison. The browser is useful on a borrowed Mac or when you cannot install software, but it has fewer features. In Microsoft’s feature comparison, for example, external monitors and multiple monitors are not supported in the browser.

Windows App vs the Old Microsoft Remote Desktop App

Many Mac users arrive here searching for the Microsoft Remote Desktop app, so a quick explanation helps. Microsoft has moved its client for Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop to Windows App, and the Mac client is the one you install from the Mac App Store listing named Windows App. It is a single app for several Microsoft services. If you were following older instructions that mention a separate Remote Desktop download or a “Workspaces” screen, the app you want now is Windows App, and the sign-in flow is a work or school account instead of a manually entered feed.

Windows App for Mac also connects to Azure Virtual Desktop, which suits teams that use pooled desktops instead of personal Cloud PCs. If you are weighing the two services, here is how the two Microsoft services compare on cost, control, and management effort. And if you also use an iPad, our walkthrough for connecting from an iPad covers the differences from the Mac experience.

What Works on a Mac, and What Does Not

Windows App is built to feel native, but macOS support is not identical to Windows support. Microsoft publishes a feature comparison for Windows App across platforms, and the macOS column tells a clear story. Here are the points that matter most for Windows 365.

Feature	On macOS	What It Means for You
Multiple monitors	Supported	A Mac with several displays can use them all in one session
Dynamic resolution and smart sizing	Supported	The Windows desktop adapts to your screen or window
Microsoft Teams media optimization	Supported	Calls and meetings are optimized for the session
Camera and microphone redirection	Supported	Your Mac’s camera and mic work in the Cloud PC
Clipboard	Supported in both directions or one direction	Copy and paste follow your administrator’s policy
Local drive redirection	Supported when allowed	Off by default, so ask your administrator if you need Mac folders
Printers	Limited	Only the Publisher Imagesetter driver works by default, and native printer drivers are not supported
Passkeys and Authenticator	Supported	You can sign in without a password
Screen capture protection and watermarking	Supported	Administrators can protect sensitive sessions
USB, serial, and scanner redirection	Not supported	Dongles, serial devices, and scanners will not pass through
Touch and pen input	Not supported	Macs do not offer these through Windows App
Windows 365 Boot and Switch	Not supported	These features work only on Windows devices
Windows 365 Flex	Supported	Shared and shift-based Cloud PCs work on a Mac

Using Your Mac With a Cloud PC Day to Day

• Displays

  Multiple monitors are a real advantage on a Mac, and they are not available on iPad. Dynamic resolution means the Windows desktop reshapes itself when you change your display setup, and smart sizing scales a windowed session to fit. If you work on a laptop and an external monitor, test the layout once so the Cloud PC remembers how you like it.

• Keyboard and Shortcuts

  Windows App redirects your keyboard, input language, and keyboard shortcuts into the session. Mac and Windows keyboards differ, so a few shortcuts may feel different at first. If a key combination does not behave the way you expect, check the keyboard settings in the app before assuming it is broken.

• Trackpad and Mouse

  Your trackpad and mouse control the Windows pointer as they would on a laptop. Windows App for Mac does not offer touch or pen input, so rely on the pointer rather than gestures for Windows-specific controls.

• Teams Calls and Meetings

  Microsoft lists both Teams media optimization options, WebRTC and SlimCore, as supported on macOS. Together with camera and microphone redirection, that means meetings on a Cloud PC are practical from a Mac without a separate local Teams setup.

• Files and Clipboard

  Microsoft disables drive, clipboard, printer, and USB drive redirection by default, so a fresh Cloud PC will not let you move files or text freely until an administrator allows it. For files, the best habit is to work in OneDrive or SharePoint from inside the Cloud PC, which also keeps your work safe if a session ends unexpectedly.

• Printing

  This is the most common Mac frustration. Windows App on macOS supports the Publisher Imagesetter printer driver by default and does not support native printer drivers, so printing from a Cloud PC to a local Mac printer can be limited. Microsoft’s guidance suggests Universal Print instead of printer redirection, and your administrator can set it up.

Does It Matter If Your Mac Has Apple Silicon or Intel?

For Windows 365, not in the way it does for local virtualization. A Cloud PC runs in Microsoft’s datacenters, so the Windows apps never execute on your Mac, and compatibility depends on the Cloud PC and your applications, not on whether your Mac has an M-series or Intel processor. What matters on the Mac side is simply that it can run Windows App, which the Mac App Store listing currently pins to macOS 13.0 or later.

It is a different story if you run Windows locally. On Apple silicon, a local virtual machine runs the Arm version of Windows 11, and some apps, drivers, and peripherals behave differently than on a standard Windows PC. If compatibility is the concern, the cloud option avoids the question entirely, though it brings its own trade-offs, covered next.

Windows 365 vs Parallels and Other Local Options

Neither approach is better in every case. The honest comparison comes down to a few trade-offs.

Factor	Windows 365 Cloud PC	Local Virtual Machine on Apple Silicon
Where Windows runs	In Microsoft’s cloud	On your Mac
Windows version	A full Windows desktop managed by your organization	Windows 11 for Arm
Works offline	No	Yes
Uses your Mac’s resources	Very little	Memory, storage, and processor time
USB devices and scanners	Not redirected on macOS	Generally available through the virtualization software
Management and security	Central, through Intune and Conditional Access	Managed separately, often by the user
Licensing	A Windows 365 license per user	A Windows license plus the virtualization software
Nested virtualization	Available on larger Cloud PCs	Not available on Apple silicon, according to Microsoft’s guidance

A reasonable rule: choose Windows 365 when a company wants one managed, secure Windows desktop for Mac users, when people need a lot of power without taxing the Mac, or when data must stay off the device. Choose a local virtual machine when you need to work offline or must connect USB hardware directly. Many Mac-first organizations end up using both, with a Cloud PC as the corporate desktop and a local machine for special cases.

A Quick Checklist: Is a Cloud PC Right for Your Mac Team?

• Do people need a Windows-only application? If yes, a Cloud PC or a local virtual machine is on the table. If no, native Mac apps may be enough.
• Is a reliable connection available where they work? A Cloud PC needs one, and a local virtual machine does not.
• Do they depend on USB devices, serial devices, or scanners? Those do not redirect on macOS, so plan an alternative.
• Must data stay off the Mac? If so, the Cloud PC is the stronger answer.
• Who will manage it? A Cloud PC is managed centrally, while local virtual machines are usually managed by each user.

Security and IT Settings for Mac Users

Most Mac problems are policy questions, so a little preparation saves a lot of support calls. Start with access. Microsoft’s Conditional Access guidance for Windows 365 recommends targeting the Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Windows Cloud Login apps together and testing in report-only mode first. If you require compliant devices, Macs need to be enrolled in Intune to meet that rule, so decide early whether personal Macs will be allowed.

Redirection deserves a deliberate decision. Drive, clipboard, printer, and USB drive redirection are off by default, and clipboard direction can be limited. One macOS-specific note from Microsoft’s comparison: the Intune mobile application management settings that can control Windows App redirection are available on iOS and Android but not on macOS, so on Macs you rely on policies set in the session and on device compliance. Screen capture protection and watermarking are supported on macOS, which helps with sensitive work. Our steps for hardening Cloud PCs walk through all of these settings.

Troubleshooting Windows 365 on Mac

What You See	Likely Cause	What to Try
I cannot find my Cloud PC	It is not assigned or still provisioning, or you signed in with the wrong account	Confirm the license with your administrator and sign in with your work or school account
The app will not install	Your macOS version is below the app’s requirement	Update macOS if your Mac supports it, or use the browser
Copy and paste does not work	Clipboard redirection is disabled by default	Ask your administrator to allow clipboard redirection for your group
I cannot print to my Mac printer	Printer redirection is off by default, and native printer drivers are not supported on macOS	Ask about Universal Print or another printing route
My scanner or USB device is missing	Scanner, USB, and serial redirection are not supported on macOS	Scan to a cloud folder, or use a Windows device for that task
The session feels slow	A weak or restricted network	Move to a stronger connection and reconnect, and ask IT about network optimization
My monitors do not line up	The display settings do not match your setup	Reopen the display settings in the app and pick the screens to use

Tips for the Best Experience

• Keep Windows App and macOS updated. Updates arrive through the Mac App Store and Apple’s software update, and they include security fixes.
• Use a wired or strong Wi-Fi connection. Microsoft lists RDP Shortpath for public networks, which improves reliability over UDP, on macOS only in a beta build of the app, so most sessions run over the standard connection and benefit from a stable network.
• Save work in OneDrive or SharePoint. Files saved in the cloud survive a dropped session, and they are available from any device.
• Pair a passkey or Authenticator with your account. Passwordless sign-in is supported on macOS, and it saves time on every connection.
• Learn the keyboard differences once. A few minutes with the app’s keyboard settings saves months of small frustrations.

Who Uses Windows 365 on a Mac?

• Mac-First Companies With a Few Windows Needs

  Design, media, and startup teams that standardize on Macs often still depend on a handful of Windows-only tools for finance, analytics, or a client’s software. A Cloud PC fills that gap without buying PCs.

• Developers and Testers

  Developers who need a Windows environment, or a place to test Windows software, can get one without leaving their Mac. Microsoft now positions Windows 365 as the home for cloud developer workstations, and our guide to what the Dev Box retirement means for developer teams explains where that is heading.

• Contractors and Bring-Your-Own-Device Programs

  Third-party staff can use their own Macs while company data stays in the cloud under your policies, and access ends cleanly when the engagement does.

• Regulated and Security-Conscious Teams

  Organizations that must keep work data off personal and endpoint storage use Cloud PCs so the Mac is only a window into a controlled environment.

• Shift-Based and Seasonal Teams

  Windows 365 Flex is supported in Windows App on macOS, so part-time workers on Macs can share Cloud PCs and keep costs in line with how they actually work.

The Bottom Line

Windows 365 is the simplest way to give a Mac user a full Windows desktop. Install Windows App from the Mac App Store, sign in with your work account, and connect to your Cloud PC. Because Windows runs in the cloud, your Mac’s chip does not limit which Windows apps work, and multiple monitors and Teams are well supported. The trade-offs are real, though: no offline mode, no USB, serial, or scanner redirection, limited printing, and several settings that stay off until an administrator allows them. For organizations, the best next step is a small pilot with the Macs, apps, and peripherals your people actually use.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you use Windows 365 on a Mac?

   Yes. You connect to a Windows 365 Cloud PC from a Mac using Windows App from the Mac App Store or a web browser. The Windows desktop runs in Microsoft’s cloud, so it works on both Apple silicon and Intel Macs.

2. What app do I need for Windows 365 on Mac?

   Install Windows App from Microsoft Corporation in the Mac App Store. It is free and connects to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft Dev Box, and Remote Desktop Services.

3. Which macOS version does Windows App require?

   The Mac App Store listing for Windows App currently requires macOS 13.0 or later. Requirements can change with new releases, so check the listing before you deploy, and use a browser on Macs that cannot run the app.

4. Does Windows 365 work on Apple silicon Macs?

   Yes. Windows runs in the cloud, so the processor in your Mac does not affect which Windows apps work. Microsoft’s own guidance lists Windows 365 as one of two authorized ways to use Windows 11 on Apple silicon Macs, alongside Parallels Desktop.

5. Can I use Boot Camp on a Mac with Apple silicon?

   No. Boot Camp works only on Intel-based Macs. On Apple silicon, the local option is a virtual machine running the Arm version of Windows 11, and the cloud option is a Windows 365 Cloud PC.

6. Is Windows App the same as Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac?

   Windows App is Microsoft’s current client for Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop, and it replaces the older Remote Desktop experience. It is a single app that connects to several Microsoft services, so use Windows App for new setups.

7. Can I use multiple monitors with Windows 365 on a Mac?

   Yes. Windows App for Mac supports external monitors and multiple monitors, along with dynamic resolution and smart sizing. Multiple monitors are not supported when you connect through a web browser.

8. Does Microsoft Teams work on a Windows 365 Cloud PC from a Mac?

   Yes. Microsoft lists Teams media optimization with both WebRTC and SlimCore as supported on macOS, and camera and microphone redirection are supported too. Redirection still depends on what your administrator allows.

9. Why can’t I copy and paste or print from my Cloud PC on a Mac?

   Microsoft disables clipboard, drive, printer, and USB drive redirection by default, so an administrator has to allow them. Printing on macOS is also limited, because only the Publisher Imagesetter driver is supported by default and native printer drivers are not, so Universal Print is the usual answer.

10. Can I use USB devices or scanners with Windows 365 on a Mac?

    No. Microsoft’s feature comparison shows USB, serial, and scanner redirection as not supported in Windows App on macOS. Use a Windows device for those tasks, or scan to a cloud folder.

11. Does Windows 365 work on a Mac without internet?

    No. A Cloud PC streams over the network, so Windows 365 does not work offline. People who need offline Windows on a Mac need a local virtual machine instead.

12. Do I need a work account to use Windows 365 on a Mac?

    Yes. Windows 365 is a business service, so you sign in with a work or school account provided by your organization, not a personal Microsoft account.