Can I run Windows 11 for free on my M1 Mac mini?

VMware Fusion is free for personal use but of course you have to purchase the ARM version of Windows 11. Broadcom recently bought VMware and it has been quite lazy to update the app and AFAIK Parallels is more polished with more features.

The answer is pretty blunt, no. You will need Parallels which is $64.99 for an annual license (https://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/ ) and you need to buy a MS Windows 11 ISO which is pretty inexpensive. So the good news is for <$100 which is very modest these days you are in business.

Actually VMware Fusion is available for free or personal use, academic, and commercial usage (https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/11/11/vmware-fusion-and-workstation-are-now-free-for-all-users/).

Your welcome.

This article may be of interest.

Install Windows 11 On A Mac

Video Tutorial