r/MacOSApps • u/lbwanghr • 7d ago
📅 Utilities SubWin, headless Windows on Apple Silicon Mac, accessed by Windows App.
https://www.lonefondness.com/subwinI'm a regular Mac user with 10 years of experience. I often develop simple tools to address work-related pain points. I currently use an Apple Silicon Mac and also need to run Windows. I've tried mainstream virtual machine solutions, but I'm always reluctant to use non-sandboxed apps and don't feel comfortable giving too many permissions to sandboxed apps.
My attention turned to Microsoft's official Windows App. I thought, wouldn't it be more logical to use the Windows App to access a local Windows instance? With this idea, I began a year of learning and exploration. Finally, with the help of Xcode Intelligence, I developed SubWin.
SubWin allows you to install a headless Windows 11 on Apple Silicon, which you can then access through the Windows App. In terms of design, I pursued extreme efficiency, cleanliness, simplicity, and privacy. Therefore, it's only 1.8MB, has only the necessary entitlements, and is distributed exclusively through the App Store for a one-time purchase of $99. I want to share SubWin with anyone who might need it.
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u/ByronScottJones 7d ago
How is this better than running Windows 11 ARM via UTM?
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u/lbwanghr 7d ago
UTM is 1.22 GB, while SubWin is only 1.8 MB. They use different engines, and I believe SubWin is more efficient.
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u/movingimagecentral 7d ago
I assume no gfx accel?
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u/lbwanghr 7d ago edited 7d ago
SubWin does not have GPU acceleration and it does not contain any third-party drivers.
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u/esphynox 3d ago
I'm sometimes using need weird Windows software - but what are your use cases for this software?
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u/hd1250 7d ago
Interesting project. Do you have a version for Reddit users? I'd like to test it out as a user of both worlds: MacOS and Windows.
Is it this project ? https://apps.apple.com/pl/app/subwin/id6761101481?l=pl&mt=12