Build a Power BI Workspace on Mac

Set up Windows 11 in UTM on your Mac and validate Power BI Desktop.

Introduction

30 Second Summary

A Mac can handle demanding analytics work. However, some desktop reporting tools expect Windows before you can create your first visual.

In this project, you will turn your Mac into a local analytics workstation by running Windows 11 in a virtual machine with UTM. Microsoft Power BI Desktop will open to a blank report canvas that proves the workspace is ready.

What You'll Build

From your Mac, you will launch a Windows 11 desktop with Power BI Desktop open to a blank report canvas.

By the end of this project, you'll have:

A Windows 11 VM you can launch from your Mac whenever you want to practise analytics.
A usable Windows desktop with current updates and guest integration for smoother local work.
A Power BI Desktop workspace that opens successfully to a blank report canvas.
Secret Mission: Build a clustered column chart from five sales rows. Reopen PowerBI-VM-Check.pbix to prove the saved report persists.

Are there any prerequisites?

This project assumes UTM and CrystalFetch are installed. You also need reliable internet plus enough Mac capacity for at least 4 GB of VM memory, two virtual processors, and a 64 GB virtual disk.

A valid Windows 11 license or digital license is required. Microsoft does not list UTM among its fully supported Power BI virtual desktop environments.

Before We Start

Before any hands-on setup begins, choose the analytics use case that makes this Power BI workspace worth building. Your one-sentence goal connects a dashboard topic to the decision it should support.

Check Your Mac and Launch the Tools

Your Mac acts as the host for the Windows workspace. UTM uses virtualization to run Windows 11 as the guest.

Power BI Desktop needs enough memory inside the virtual machine. Free storage must cover the VM disk plus installation files.

CrystalFetch prepares the installation media that UTM uses. This step confirms both installed apps can reach their starting windows.

In this step, get ready to:

Record your Mac compatibility details.
Confirm enough free storage for the Windows workspace.
Launch UTM plus CrystalFetch to their starting windows.

Record your Mac architecture and memory

The About This Mac window identifies the processor family. It also shows your Mac's total memory.

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
Select About This Mac.
Find whether the window shows Chip or Processor.
Record the Mac architecture here: Apple silicon or Intel.
Find the total memory value in the same window.
Record the total memory here: your Mac's total memory.
Confirm that your Mac can spare at least 4 GB for the future VM.

How Does the Architecture Map?

A Mac showing Chip uses Apple silicon. Its required Windows architecture is Apple Silicon.

A Mac showing Processor uses Intel hardware. Its required Windows architecture is Intel x64.

Record the required Windows architecture here: Apple Silicon or Intel x64.

Confirm enough free storage

The future VM needs a 64 GB virtual disk. The Windows ISO plus future updates need additional room.

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
Select System Settings.
Select General in the sidebar.
Select Storage in the General pane.
Find the available storage amount.
Compare the available amount with the 64 GB virtual disk requirement.
Account for the Windows ISO plus future updates.
Confirm that your Mac has sufficient free storage.

You should see used storage plus available storage in the Storage view. Once the available amount covers the planned disk plus extra headroom, your capacity check is complete.

Not Enough Free Storage?

Remove local files you no longer need.
Move large personal files to external storage.
Return to Storage after freeing space.
Repeat the capacity check.

Help me plan a safe Mac storage cleanup for a Windows 11 virtual machine.

Launch UTM and CrystalFetch

A successful launch confirms that both installed apps are available before you create installation media. Their starting windows are the visible proof.

Before you launch them, do you expect both apps to reach their starting windows without an error?

Press Cmd+Space on your Mac to open search.
Type UTM into search.
Press Enter.
Confirm that UTM reaches its starting window without an error.
Press Cmd+Space to return to search.
Type CrystalFetch into search.
Press Enter.
Confirm that CrystalFetch reaches its starting window without an error.

You should now see the UTM starting window plus the CrystalFetch starting window. That clears the tool launch check for your Windows workspace.

Does an App Fail to Launch?

Quit the app that failed to reach its starting window.
Restart your Mac.
Try launching the same app again from search.

Help me troubleshoot an installed Mac app that does not reach its starting window.

Your Mac has cleared the architecture plus capacity checks. Next, CrystalFetch uses that result to build the matching Windows 11 ISO.

Download a Matching Windows 11 ISO

Your Mac compatibility check identified the processor architecture that your Windows installer needs. The wrong architecture would prevent the virtual machine from booting correctly.

In this step, you will use CrystalFetch to download a matching Windows 11 ISO. The saved file becomes the installation media that UTM uses to build your Windows workspace.

In this step, get ready to:

Set the Windows release to the latest Windows 11 build.
Configure the ISO for your Mac.
Save a completed ISO in a known Finder location.

Choose the Windows release

CrystalFetch separates the Windows version from its available build. These settings define which Windows installer the app downloads.

Switch back to the CrystalFetch starting window from earlier.
Open the Version menu.
Select Windows® 11.
Open the Build menu.
Select Latest.

Match the architecture and edition

Your Mac is the host for this workspace. Windows is the guest that runs inside it.

License choices can feel consequential. Your valid Windows license determines which edition you select.

Only one architecture choice applies to your Mac. A Mac showing Chip needs Apple Silicon. A Mac showing Processor needs Intel x64.

Select Apple Silicon in the Architecture menu if your compatibility record says Chip.
Select Intel x64 in the Architecture menu if your compatibility record says Processor.
Select your preferred language in the Language menu.
Select the Windows edition covered by your valid license in the Edition menu.

Why does the architecture need to match?

Apple silicon Macs use a different processor architecture from Intel Macs. UTM virtualization requires the Windows guest architecture to match the Mac host architecture.

CrystalFetch turns that technical requirement into two clear choices. Your earlier Mac check tells you which one to use.

Download and verify the ISO

An ISO packages the Windows installer into one bootable file. CrystalFetch may show a license confirmation before the transfer begins.

This download is one of the slower moments in the project because the ISO is a large file. The transfer time depends on your internet connection.

Click Download….
Complete any displayed license confirmation.
Choose a Finder location you can find again in the save dialog.
Record the selected location here: your Windows ISO Finder location.
Wait for CrystalFetch to finish the download.

Before you inspect the file, which architecture pairing should your final check confirm?

Click the Finder icon in the Dock.
Go to your Windows ISO Finder location.
Find the completed Windows 11 download.
Confirm that the filename ends in .iso.
Confirm that your CrystalFetch architecture choice matches your Mac compatibility record.

You will see a completed .iso file in your chosen location. Its architecture will pair Chip with Apple Silicon or Processor with Intel x64.

Download missing or mismatched?

Check CrystalFetch to see whether the download is still in progress.
Compare the current Finder folder with the location you recorded above.
Repeat the download with the matching architecture if the existing ISO uses the wrong option.

Ask for help with the exact Mac result you recorded. Help me troubleshoot a missing or mismatched Windows 11 ISO from CrystalFetch.

Your matching Windows installation media is ready. Next, you will attach it to a new UTM virtual machine.

Create Your UTM Virtual Machine

Your architecture-matched Windows 11 ISO is ready. It contains the installer that turns your Mac into a Windows workspace.

UTM wraps that installer in a virtual machine. The VM supplies processor capacity plus memory.

It also supplies disk space plus guest drivers. This foundation prepares your Mac for Power BI Desktop.

In this step, get ready to:

Configure the virtual processor allocation plus memory.
Attach the matching Windows ISO with guest tools enabled.
Boot the saved VM to Windows Setup.

Choose the Windows virtual hardware

Virtualization requires the guest architecture to match the Mac architecture. Your ISO already meets that requirement.

Switch back to the UTM starting window from earlier.
Click +.
Select Virtualize.
Select Windows.
Set the VM memory to 8 GiB if your Mac can spare it. Use 4 GB otherwise.
Assign at least two virtual processors.
Confirm the selected memory value matches the capacity you recorded earlier.

Why These Resource Choices?

Windows 11 needs at least 4 GB of memory. It also needs two or more virtual processors.

UTM's Windows profile uses 8 GiB of memory. Use that amount only when your Mac can spare it.

Attach the ISO and save the VM

The VM needs the matching installation media before it can boot. UTM can also download the drivers that help Windows work with its virtual hardware.

Keep Install Windows 10 or higher selected.
Keep Install drivers and SPICE tools selected.
Click Browse.
Select the matching .iso file from the Finder location you used earlier.
Set the virtual disk to at least 64 GB.
Enter Power BI Windows as the VM name.
Click Save.

What Do Guest Tools Add?

The Windows Guest Tools package provides drivers that help Windows communicate with UTM. SPICE integration improves the display plus input experience.

UTM downloads the package automatically. Windows Setup installs it during the Windows installation.

The guest-tools download can remain active for a few minutes. That wait is normal while UTM fetches the integration package.

Wait until the guest-tools download finishes before starting the VM.

That is the VM created. Power BI Windows now appears in the UTM library with its guest tools ready.

Guest Tools Still Downloading?

Confirm your Mac still has an internet connection.
Keep UTM open until the download completes.

Help me troubleshoot a guest-tools download that is not finishing in UTM.

Verify the first boot

A successful first boot proves that the VM can read the ISO. It also confirms that the installer architecture matches the virtual hardware.

Before you start the VM, predict which screen should appear first.
Start Power BI Windows from UTM's main window.

The boot prompt appears only briefly, so be ready to respond when the VM display changes.

Click inside the VM display when the boot prompt appears.
Press any key immediately.

You should see Windows Setup instead of the UEFI shell.

That is the virtual hardware hurdle cleared. Your Mac is now running the Windows installer from the matching ISO.

Seeing the UEFI Shell?

The UEFI shell means the Windows installer did not start. A missed boot prompt or an unusable ISO can cause this result.

Restart Power BI Windows.
Press any key as soon as the boot prompt appears.
If the shell returns, confirm the matching .iso remains attached through Browse.

Help me troubleshoot why my UTM VM opens the UEFI shell instead of Windows Setup.

The installer now has the virtual hardware it needs. Next, you'll install Windows and reach the desktop.

Install Windows 11

Your Power BI Windows virtual machine now boots from the matching ISO. The next goal is a usable Windows 11 desktop.

Windows Setup writes the operating system to the VM's empty virtual disk.

The selected edition must match your valid license. A complete analytics workspace also needs Power BI Desktop.

In this step, get ready to:

Choose the Windows edition covered by your valid license or product key.
Install Windows 11 on the VM's empty virtual disk.
Complete initial setup and check for Power BI Desktop.

Choose your Windows edition

The Windows edition must match your valid license. Your product key or digital license determines that choice.

Choose your preferred language in Windows Setup.
Choose your keyboard layout.
Select Install Windows 11.
Enter your valid product key if Windows Setup requests it.
Select the Windows edition covered by your valid license or product key.

Why Must the Edition Match?

Windows licenses apply to a specific edition. Choosing the covered edition keeps this installation eligible for activation.

Install Windows on the virtual disk

The Disk 0 Unallocated Space entry is the empty virtual disk created for the Power BI Windows VM.

This installation can remain on progress screens for several minutes. The VM may restart more than once.

Select Disk 0 Unallocated Space as the installation location.
Select Next.
Select Install from the ready screen.
Leave the VM running while Windows completes the installation.

You'll see Windows initial setup after the installation finishes its restarts.

UTM handles Windows Guest Tools during Windows Setup because Install drivers and SPICE tools remains enabled.

Installation Not Progressing?

Confirm that you selected Disk 0 Unallocated Space as the installation location.
Confirm that the VM still has at least 64 GB of virtual disk space.
Leave the VM running through each automatic restart.

Help me troubleshoot Windows Setup in my UTM virtual machine.

Complete Windows setup and test the gap

Initial setup turns the installed operating system into your Windows workspace. The prompts can vary by edition or region.

This part can feel personal because account prompts show your details. Your project evidence only needs the finished desktop or app search.

Choose your region.
Confirm your keyboard layout.
Connect the VM to your network.
Complete the displayed account prompts.
Review your privacy choices.
Continue through the prompts until you reach the Windows 11 desktop.

You have crossed the biggest setup hurdle. The Power BI Windows VM now reaches a working Windows 11 desktop.

Before you search, do you expect a fresh Windows desktop to include the analytics app?

Click Start on the Windows taskbar.
Type Power BI Desktop into the search field.

Your search should not show an installed Power BI Desktop app. That intended gap confirms the operating system works while the analytics application remains to be installed.

Your Windows workspace is ready for its final tools. Next, you'll update Windows before installing Power BI Desktop.

Update Windows and Install Power BI

Your Windows 11 desktop is running inside UTM. A fresh installation still needs current updates before it becomes a dependable analytics workspace.

Windows Update closes that operating system gap. Power BI Desktop then gives the VM the report-building workspace your analytics use case needs.

In this step, get ready to:

Bring Windows 11 up to date.
Install the current 64-bit Power BI Desktop.
Verify Power BI Desktop opens at version 2.157.1354.0 or newer.

Bring Windows up to date

Required updates prepare the fresh Windows installation for analytics software. On Apple silicon, Power BI Desktop requires Windows on ARM to include the 2025-09 Cumulative Update, identified as KB5065789.

Return to the Windows 11 desktop in your running Power BI Windows VM.
Select Start on the taskbar.
Select Settings.
Select Windows Update.
Select Check for Windows updates.
Select Download & install if Windows offers it.
Restart Windows when prompted.

After any required restart, you will return to the Windows 11 desktop. This confirms the VM completed that update cycle successfully.

Return to Windows Update in Settings.
Select Check for Windows updates again.
Repeat the update cycle until Windows offers no further required updates.

You should see that no further required updates remain. Your Windows workspace is now ready for the Power BI Desktop installer.

Updates Keep Reappearing?

Keep the VM connected to the internet while Windows downloads updates.
Return to Windows Update after every restart if more required updates appear.

Help me troubleshoot Windows Update inside my UTM virtual machine.

Install Power BI Desktop

Microsoft provides Power BI Desktop as a free 64-bit download. The direct installer avoids depending on Microsoft Store availability inside the new VM.

Why Use the Direct Installer?

The direct installation package comes from Microsoft's Power BI Desktop Download Center. It gives you the current supported 64-bit release through a standard Windows installer.

The current installer is PBIDesktopSetup_x64.exe. Its download size is 661.8 MB, so a quiet progress bar is normal on a slower connection.

Open the web browser available from the Start menu in the Windows 11 VM.
Visit Microsoft's Power BI Desktop Download Center.
Select the current 64-bit download for PBIDesktopSetup_x64.exe.
Wait for the download to finish.

You should see PBIDesktopSetup_x64.exe in the browser's completed downloads list. This confirms the full installer is ready to run.

Select PBIDesktopSetup_x64.exe from the browser's completed downloads list.
Approve the Windows permission prompt if it appears.
Follow the installer's displayed setup steps until installation completes.

The completed setup adds Power BI Desktop to Windows. You can now launch the report-building application from the Start menu.

Installer Did Not Finish?

Confirm the completed download is named PBIDesktopSetup_x64.exe.
Download the 64-bit installer again if the file is incomplete.

Help me troubleshoot the Power BI Desktop installer in Windows 11.

Launch and verify Power BI Desktop

The welcome screen confirms the application starts inside the VM. The blank report canvas confirms its visual workspace renders correctly.

Select Start on the Windows taskbar.
Enter Power BI Desktop in the search field.
Select Power BI Desktop from the search results.

You should see the Power BI Desktop welcome screen over a blank report canvas. The controls should fit inside the VM window without clipping or a startup error.

Before you check the build, do you expect this fresh download to meet the minimum version for this project?

Select the Help ribbon in Power BI Desktop.
Select About.

You should see 2.157.1354.0 or a newer supported release on the Version line. This confirms your installed build meets the project requirement.

Seeing an Older Version or Clipped Controls?

Run the current installer again if the Version line is below 2.157.1354.0.
Increase the Windows display resolution to at least 1440x900 or 1600x900 (16:9) if controls look clipped.
Set Windows display scaling to 100% if required dialogs remain hidden.

Help me fix an older Power BI Desktop version or clipped controls in my UTM virtual machine.

You have crossed the setup finish line. Power BI Desktop now runs inside your updated Windows 11 VM with a blank report canvas ready for your first visual.

Secret mission

Build a Five-Row Sales Visual

Your Windows workspace can launch Power BI Desktop. Now prove it can carry a report from five sales rows to a saved chart that survives closing and reopening.

Clean Up Your Resources

Your Windows 11 workspace runs locally inside UTM. A stopped local virtual machine has no ongoing compute charge.

Windows activation still requires a valid license that may cost extra if you do not already have one. The options below let you keep your workspace ready, pause it for later, or delete its local files.

Resources you used:

Local file: The Windows 11 .iso file saved in your known Finder location.
Virtual machine: The Power BI Windows VM in UTM containing Windows 11 and Power BI Desktop.
Report: The PowerBI-VM-Check.pbix report stored inside the VM.

Keep everything running

No action is needed. Choose this if you plan to keep using the workspace or extend your report.

Leave Power BI Windows in the UTM list.
Keep the Windows 11 .iso file in its current Finder location.
Continue reopening PowerBI-VM-Check.pbix inside the VM when you want to practise.

Pause - I'll come back to this later

Shut down Windows to free your Mac's memory. Your VM and local files stay ready for later.

Return to the Windows desktop in Power BI Windows.
Open Start from the Windows taskbar.
Select the power control in the Start menu.
Select Shut down.
Wait for UTM to show Power BI Windows as stopped.
Close UTM.

Your workspace is safely paused. Windows 11, Power BI Desktop, your report, and the ISO stay available for later.

Delete - I don't want to use this again

Remove all project resources and start fresh. VM deletion is permanent.

Windows 11, Power BI Desktop, and PowerBI-VM-Check.pbix disappear with the VM when it is stored in UTM's default location.

Return to the Windows desktop in Power BI Windows if the VM is running.
Open Start from the Windows taskbar.
Select the power control in the Start menu.
Select Shut down.
Wait for UTM to show Power BI Windows as stopped.
Secondary-click Power BI Windows in the UTM window to open its action menu.
Use the action menu to remove Power BI Windows from the UTM list.

That is the largest local resource removed. Power BI Windows should no longer appear in UTM.

Return to the known Finder location containing the Windows 11 ISO.
Select the Windows 11 .iso file.
Move the selected ISO to the Trash.
Empty the Trash to delete the ISO permanently.

Your local cleanup is complete. UTM no longer lists Power BI Windows.

Finder no longer shows the Windows 11 .iso file in its previous location.

Nice Work!

You did it! Your Mac now hosts a working Windows 11 analytics workspace in UTM. Power BI Desktop opens inside the virtual machine with a saved report ready to explore.

You've learned how to:

Match the Windows installer architecture to your Mac's processor. Confirm that the bootable ISO uses Apple Silicon or Intel x64 for the correct hardware.
Build a Windows 11 virtual machine with enough processing power. Allocate suitable memory. Provide at least 64 GB of virtual disk space. Include guest tools for a usable desktop.
Bring Windows up to date through Windows Update. Install Power BI Desktop inside the VM. Launch it successfully to confirm the analytics workspace is ready.
Complete the optional Secret Mission by creating a five-row sales visual from the Sales Check table. Save the report as PowerBI-VM-Check.pbix. Reopen it to prove that your work persists.

Ready to quiz yourself?