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How to install Orbit on ARM MacOS (open-source method) - Printable Version

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How to install Orbit on ARM MacOS (open-source method) - AlphaOmega - 03-29-2026

I saw a couple of threads on here about running Orbit on ARM, specifically MacOS Silicon devices (M1 - M5, etc). Most suggest using thing like:
  • Parallels (costs money/free trial is an annoyance)
  • VMWare (absolute tumour of a company... Boradcom lol, bloatware and just general poor experience)
  • VirtualBox (Oracle poop)

I have found the best approach has been using UTM. UTM is an open source project, available via homebrew and seems to run with very little overhead. I have had comparable performance running it this way compared to natively.

I've put together a step-by-step guide for those of you who want to give this a go. I have been using it for a few days now with out any issues. Although I'm sure a caveat is required that this is to be done at your own risk as it is not 'officially' support, AFAIK.

Get started with homebrew (a package manager for MacOS, which allows you to install software from the terminal).

Homebrew Install:
Code:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"


Software Install:
  • Code:
    brew install crystalfetch
  • Code:
    brew install utm

Download Windows 11 ISO:
  1. Open CrystalFetch
  2. Adjust based on your region (ensure select Apple Silicon and latest)
[Image: Pasted-image-20260329213047.png]

Configure VM in UTM:
  1. Open UTM and click the “+” button to open the VM creation wizard.
  2. Select “Virtualize”.
  3. Select “Windows”.
  4. Pick the amount of RAM and CPU cores you wish to give access to the VM. Press “Continue”.
    1. I suggest at least 8GB RAM & 4 Cores - the more the better, ensure your host has enough overhead to function normally.
  5. Make “Install Windows 10 or higher” is checked. Also make sure “Install drivers and SPICE tools” is checked. Press “Browse” and select the ISO you built in step 1.
  6. Specify the maximum amount of drive space to allocate. Press “Continue”.
    1. I suggest 64GB to be safe, this allows rooms for the Windows OS. While its probably overkill; its better to have too much than too little.
  7. If you have a directory you want to mount in the VM, you can select it here. Alternatively, you can skip this and select the directory later from the VM window’s toolbar. The shared directory will be available after installing SPICE tools (see below). Press “Continue”.
    1. Useful if you have files on your host (Mac) that you'd like to access on the VM
  8. Press “Save” to create the VM. Wait for the guest tools to finish downloading and press the Run button to start the VM.
  9. Press any key to start the Windows installer and follow the instructions on screen. If you have issues with the mouse, press the mouse capture button in the toolbar to send mouse input directly. Press Control+Option together to exit mouse capture mode. Sometimes, due to driver issues, you can enter and exit capture mode and the mouse cursor works normally again.

Activate Windows:
  1. I of course do not promote or encourage piracy, buy a key if you want although its not needed or required to run Orbit
    1. Select 'I don't have a key' when installing
  2. You could hypothetically google 'github MAS' and see what you find...

Install Orbit:
  1. Download the latest version from here: https://app.spaycetech.com/orbitupdate/download
  2. Install, following the wizard. The standard release can be ran on ARM Windows 11 (Windows performs some runtime emulation)
[Image: Pasted-image-20260329214056.png]


Congrats! You now have Orbit running on your shiny Macbook!

You'll want to buy a thunderbolt (UBS-C) to ethernet adapter. I recommend buying one from a rebutable brand as poor quality one's can be flaky. Sabrent, Belkin and StarTech are usally of high build quality. Avoid the chinesium.

RE: How to install Orbit on ARM MacOS (open-source method) - NJTURBO - 03-30-2026

I've been running OrBit on VMware Fusion and actually posted about a problem I'm having with connecting to the internet in VMware. I think I'll give your system a shot, nothing to lose. Do you think I should delete the VMware from my MBP beforehand?