I have subscribed to Norton 360 for many years and have been running it in Windows 10 in a Parallels virtual machine on MacBook Pro computers (Intel based). I recently upgraded to a MacBook Pro running the Apple M1 chip. After I upgraded, I found that I had to utilize a different version of Parallels and a pre-release version of Windows 11. Once I had that installed and operating, from inside that system I tried to install Norton 360. However, I received a warning "Norton 360 cannot be installed on this operating system. However, it can be installed on the following operating systems: Windows.""
I am trying to confirm 1) is that message correct or am I going about the install incorrectly (I tried to install it from my account on Norton); and 2) if correct, does Norton have plans to create a version of Norton 360 compatible with Windows 11?
In my current situation, Norton and Microsoft are trying t be helpful. The key to the entire issue, Parallels, will not respond to my support requests for almost 3 weeks now. Thank you to Norton for at least responding and trying to help.
I’m glad that Microsoft isn’t closing the door to you. The comment to ”install Windows on your Mac” in your conversation with Microsoft is a bit strange as it is only valid if running on an Intel Mac. The licensing is a also sticky point on all of this, I agree.
I'm not familiar with using Parallels to run Windows. But unless it mimics different CPUs, Windows installer will still detect your M1 CPU, and as such gives the Unsupported error messages.
As this is not Norton related, maybe you should look for a Mac forum to see if anyone there has a workaround for your Windows 11 issue. If you do find a solution, please post back so we can learn.
EDIT
Just found this on the Parallels web site https://www.parallels.com/blogs/parallels-desktop-m1/
Running VMs on Apple M1 Mac computers in Parallels Desktop 16.5 requires ARM-based operating systems (OSs). Customers who install guest operating systems in Parallels Desktop virtual machines are responsible for making sure that they are compliant with each OS’s end-user licensing agreement (EULA).
So maybe you need to look for a Windows version for ARM processors.
To be clear, I am not trying to run Windows 11 on my M1 chipset directly. I have no need to desire to have alternate boot systems. I am running Windows 11 inside a Parallels virtual machine, giving me the added ability to have the Windows VM act as just another Mac window.
BTW, I have been corresponding with Microsoft Support and they have been somewhat responsive. They have never used the party line that Mac M1 chip is not supported. In fact, the customer support person actually recommended that I install Windows on my Mac as an alternate boot system, which I declined. My only issue with Microsoft is that Windows 11 is a free upgrade to Windows 10 license holders. But the caveat is that in order to get the free upgrade you need to be running Windows 10 and upgrade from there. I cannot install Windows 10 on my new Mac so I am probably stuck paying for Windows 11.
Just note that Microsoft won't be able to help you or Norton with any of this. Microsoft's documentation does not list Apple Silicon as a supported chipset to run Windows 11 (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/windows...). Microsoft has stated publicly that they're not going to change that stance.... (yet??).
I'm even seeing that my 5 year old Windows laptop is not compatible because my i5-5200U CPU is not supported????
Just note that Microsoft won't be able to help you or Norton with any of this. Microsoft's documentation does not list Apple Silicon as a supported chipset to run Windows 11 (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/windows-processor-requirements). Microsoft has stated publicly that they're not going to change that stance.... (yet??).
You are most welcome Jim. Indeed Windows 11 being release channel is the apparant issue. If I can find something that might be beneficial as I research on the subject, I will indeed post that back here for you. I'm always learning.
This continues to be a frustrating journey. I fault myself for not doing sufficient research before buying the Mac M1. I checked my other apps but neglected to check deeper into Parallels and Windows. I followed the Parallels instructions to install a prerelease version of Windows 11. I do in fact have an operating system and VM (except for Norton).
But getting that last steps to a licensed full release of Windows 11 and a working Norton continue to be difficult. For example, I had seen the article you just sent me. What it does not explain is 1) what version of Windows 11 will be installed on your computer after you exit Windows Insider and 2) how do you verify that you were an owner of Windows 10 so that you will get Windows 11 at no charge. My Windows 10 license is for the Home edition. Entering my 10 license into 11 could only work if the version of Windows 11 on my VM is also Home.
I have been unable to get any meaningful help from Parallels and searching the web has not been productive so far. I do sincerely appreciate the responses I have received here but I realize I probably need to resolve my Windows problem first and that may enable me to download Norton.
Point taken. From where I'm sitting one has to beg the question. Is Windows 11, although being released to RTM. Is running a preview edition worth the risks of being unprotected in a VM? Maybe this info will help with your conversion.
I have a functioning system now with all my apps except Norton. Why would I go backwards from Windows 11 and Parallels 17 to Windows 10 and Parallels 16? In doing that I would risk having some apps no longer work and no guarantee that Norton would work. That is a journey I have no incentive to take.
I am trying to find out how to convert my copy of Windows 11 to the full release. That may or may not impact my problem with Norton.
I downloaded the file and executed it via a browser within the W11 VM. I receive a prompt asking me to allow Norton to make changes to my OS and I allowed. But nothing visible happens. I have tried to execute the download multiple times but nothing happens.
I don't have a "Windows- compatible version of Norton". I can only download the Windows version from the Norton web site, which in the past has not allowed me to do so.
I have only used Norton for Windows from my subscription.
I've tested as working. You will need a Windows compatible version of Norton for the VM. You can register it within your Norton account, provided that, the subscription you have supports different computer OS versions. Let us know what the results are.
I have searched the Norton web site and cannot find a Norton Product Installer file that I can download. The only options are to download the product itself, in which case I continue to get the error that the product is not compatible with my version of Windows 11.
I am running Windows 11 build 22471.1000 updated as of Oct 9. This comes from the Windows Insider program per the instructions provided by Parallels. I had a licensed copy of Windows 10 running in Parallels on my previous Mac (Intel) but Windows 10 would not install into Parallels on my M1 Mac. I am trying to determine how to go about installing the released version of Windows 11 and applying my Windows 10 license, all without screwing up my currently functioning system.
The idea to download and install the Norton product installer sounds interesting but I have not yet located it.
Norton has stated that N360 is compatible with Windows 11 and has been tested as such.
This assumes that Jim F8 is not running a pre release version of Windows 11. The initial post in this thread was on Oct 4. Win 11 was released on Oct 5. When did Win 11 get installed? So we need to ensure that the system has had the final released version of Win 11 installed.
Have you attempted to and downloaded the Norton product installer to the host OS in a folder where you can access it from the VM, and ran that installer from inside the VM? You should be able to access and/or copy the installer to run inside the VM. Download issue solved. Norton has stated that N360 is compatible with Windows 11 and has been tested as such.