Two different problems
“Run Windows apps on a Mac” and “keep my Intel Mac apps” sound alike, but they need different tools:
- A Windows app (a .exe file) was never built for macOS. It needs Windows, or a compatibility layer that imitates Windows.
- An Intel-only Mac app is a real Mac app built for Intel processors. Today Rosetta 2 runs it on Apple silicon; from macOS 28 it won’t open any more. That is what Keep86 is for.
This guide covers the first case.
Option 1: CrossOver
CrossOver by CodeWeavers runs many Windows apps and games directly on macOS, without installing Windows. It is based on the open-source Wine project. Not every Windows app works; CodeWeavers keeps a compatibility database. CrossOver costs €74 for a year of updates and support (CrossOver+) or €484 for life, with a 14-day free trial (October 2026).
Option 2: Windows 11 in Parallels Desktop
Parallels Desktop runs a full copy of Windows 11 for Arm in a virtual machine. Microsoft lists Parallels Desktop (versions 18, 19 and 20 on its page) as an authorised way to run Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise on Apple silicon Macs, and names limits: some games and apps that need DirectX 12, and features that need nested virtualisation (such as WSL or Windows Sandbox). You need a Windows licence on top of Parallels (our comparison has current Parallels prices).
What about Whisky and Wine?
- Whisky, a free app built on Wine, is no longer maintained: its developer archived it in April 2025.
- Wine builds installed with Homebrew are Intel-only and need Rosetta 2, so on their own they are affected by the end of Rosetta in macOS 28.
And your Intel-only Mac apps?
If what you actually need is an older Mac app — Google Earth Pro, Garmin Express, Photoshop CS6 — check it in our compatibility database. Keep86 is being built to keep apps like these running after macOS 28, in a hidden macOS 27 virtual machine, with their windows on your desktop (pricing).
Common questions
Can a Mac with Apple silicon run Windows apps? Yes: many run with CrossOver, without Windows, and others in Windows 11 for Arm inside Parallels Desktop.
Does Keep86 run Windows apps? No. Keep86 keeps Intel-only Mac apps working after macOS 28; for Windows apps use CrossOver or Parallels Desktop.
Is Whisky still available? Whisky is no longer maintained; its developer archived the project in April 2025.
Sources
- CodeWeavers, CrossOver store (prices, trial), checked 6 October 2026 — https://www.codeweavers.com/store
- Microsoft Support, “Options for using Windows 11 with Mac computers with Apple M1, M2, and M3 chips” — https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/options-for-using-windows-11-with-mac-computers-with-apple-m1-m2-and-m3-chips-cd15fd62-9b34-4b78-b0bc-121baa3c568c
- Whisky, repository (archived, last release 2.3.5, 5 April 2025) — https://github.com/Whisky-App/Whisky
- Homebrew, “wine-stable” cask (requires Rosetta) — https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/wine-stable
- Apple Developer News, “Upcoming changes to Rosetta support for Intel-based macOS apps”, 1 September 2026 — https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=w5ngl9k2