I'm used to running an Intel Mac with VMWare Fusion to run Windows 10 (or Server) and ColdFusion 2021 Standard. I'm looking to move to a new laptop with Apple Silicon (M4) and I'm curious if anyone is running a similar setup (maybe using Parallels vs VMWare, Windows 11 vs Windows 10). I know there are some compatibility issues but not 100% sure there are workarounds or if this just won't work.

Just run Commandbox directly on Mac and dont worry about the windows need.

Our production env, is on Windows/IIS, I want to replicate an environment close to production.

On my old Intel mac I was using Parallels but thats been 5+ years ago; since then just Commandbox….any specific custom associated needs with IIS and your prod setup?

A bunch of rewrite rules in IIS, there maybe other issues, this app has been running for 20+ years and always on Windows so there's likely a bunch of issues. Nothing insurmountable but would take a while to sort out. But maybe that's where we need to go...

Hi Phil, I’m using Parallels and VirtualBox on both Intel and RISC platforms. I also wanted to virtualize a Windows 10/11 environment on my M-powered Mac. However, the major caveat I ran into is that the rewrite module for IIS hasn’t been ported over. This has been a significant roadblock for me so far.

cc @Marc Funaro

Yea give parallels a try I suppose

Running on Apple Silicon M4, using Win 11 via Parallels. No dramas. Just add entries in the hosts file to the Parallels IP and off you go.

@davequested - Were you able to get the IIS rewrite module to work?

@jakobward Yep. We rely heavily on it.

Huh! I'll have to check again, it's been a few months. I got stuck at that point.

@jakobward Can you clarify your setup? Parallels or VMWare? Windows 11?

@jakobward I don't remember any hurdles. I did have issues installing SQL Server Express (I had to use a Powershell script as the GUI installer failed)

Sorry misread the comments

Parallels ( latest ), Windows 11, Mac Studio M2 Max.

FWIW VMWare is now free for personal use. https://blogs.vmware.com/workstation/2024/05/vmware-workstation-pro-now-available-free-for-personal-use.html

Yea I have used Workstation on my M2 but learned quickly that exporting the setups to use on x86 based servers is a no-go. Thats why I have a little micro PC on my desk in case I need windows x86 based stuff. But doesnt sound like you need to use it in those terms.

Myself I jus tuse it for those applications that are not available on the Mac (e.g., Visio etc). In other words nothing all that heavy weight.

I tried using it to prep an esxi environment stack of rhel instances but yea exports not compatible; it was a headache.