This article gives instructions on installing Windows on your Mac for the first time to use with Parallels Desktop.
Parallels Mac Management for Microsoft SCCM consists of the following components: • Parallels Configuration Manager Proxy. This component is a Windows service application. Why Use Parallels Instead of Boot Camp or VirtualBox? RELATED: How to Install Windows on a Mac With Boot Camp Sure, you could set up your Mac to run Windows with Boot Camp, but that means restarting your computer every time you need to use Windows. Optimizing Parallels Desktop for Mac for the best performance of a guest OS may seem to be largely a matter of customizing the performance of the guest OS itself, such as turning off visual effects in various Windows OSes.
Parallels Desktop for Mac – Installation and Setup. This tutorial walks you through downloading and installing a copy of Parallels Desktop for Mac and setting up a virtual machine in which to install Windows XP. Download Parallels Desktop for Mac at. Reinstalling Parallels Tools in the VM didn't help. We also tried to assign.jpg and.jpeg to open in Adobe Photoshop on the Mac side, and got the same thing, where even though we select Adobe Photoshop (Mac) the Windows default app for the file extension setting actually changes to 'ColorSync utility (Mac)'.
You can also:
- Import data from your Windows PC to your Mac. For instructions, see KB 123929.
- Upgrade an existing Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 virtual machine to Windows 10. For instructions, see KB 122884.
- See the list of supported Windows versions in KB 124223.
Install Parallels Desktop for Mac
If you are new to Parallels Desktop for Mac, download the latest version here.
If you are already a Parallels Desktop user, proceed with the next steps.
Download Windows
Starting from Parallels Desktop for Mac 14 you can easily download Windows 10 via Parallels Desktop at the first Parallels Desktop start.
Click on Parallels icon in Mac menu bar > New... > Get Windows 10 from Microsoft > Download Windows 10.
If you are running an earlier version of Parallels Desktop for Mac, visit this page to Download Windows 10 from Microsoft.
For earlier versions of Windows, please refer to retail stores or authorized online resellers, including Amazon.com.
Please note that Parallels Desktop does not include a Microsoft Windows license. If you don’t have a Windows copy, you can purchase Windows 10 from the Microsoft Online Store:
Note:visit this page if you need help to choose Windows 10 edition: Home or Pro.
Install Windows from your source
Create new virtual machine
Open Parallels Desktop.app from the Applications folder and choose File > New.
Select Install Windows or another OS from DVD or image file, then click Continue.
Select an installation media
You may install Windows from a DVD or an .iso disc image, or a bootable USB drive.
Important: Windows installation files with an .exe extension can be used only to upgrade an existing Windows virtual machine (VM). If you are performing a new Windows installation, the .exe file will not work. Please contact local retailer to request either a physical disc or an .iso image.
Installation Assistant will detect available installation media automatically for installing Windows.
You can also switch to manual mode and choose the source for Windows installation.
Enter your Windows License Key
Click Continue. Enter Windows license key for automatic Windows activation upon installation.
If you don't have a Windows license key, click Continue and then Skip. To activate Windows later follow instructions from the article.
When you are ready, click Continue.
Select how you want to use Windows
Select how you want to use Windows in Parallels Desktop for Mac Home Edition:
- Productivity
- Games only
Parallel On Mac
And in Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro and Business Editions:
- Software development
- Software testing
- Design
To learn more about virtual machine profiles, visit KB 123878.
Specify a name and location
Name: You may specify a name for your virtual machine.
Location: The default location for Parallels Desktop virtual machines is /Users/username/Parallels/.
If you want to change your default virtual machine settings select Customize settings before installation. These settings can also be changed easily after installation.
Begin the installation
Click Continue and Windows installation will begin. Once Windows is installed, launch it by opening a Windows application or by clicking the Power button in the Control Center.
Install Parallels Tools
The first time Windows starts, Parallels Tools will be installed to allow seamless operation between Windows and macOS. Please do not cancel or stop the installation process. Once the Parallels Tools are installed, you will be prompted to restart Windows.
Other ways to create a Windows virtual machine
It is possible to create a Windows virtual machine by:
Troubleshooting
If you have any problems installing Windows from a DVD, or if you don't have a DVD drive, you can use another drive to create an .iso image and install from that. For instructions, see KB 4917: How to create an .iso image from a Windows installation DVD.
Update, Aug 23: Parallels 12 and the free trial is now available to all. We’ve also started announcing our giveaway winners below.
Parallels Desktop for Mac, the popular software that lets you easily run Windows and other Intel operating systems (including other images of macOS) as virtual machines on your Mac, is today releasing the latest upgrade to version 12. Those who buy Parallels 11 today (or bought through the Tech Garantee after August 1st) are eligible for a free upgrade.
On top of getting Parallels ready for the release of macOS Sierra, version 12 introduces a number of great new features and an over 25 percent performance improvement, according to the company…
A new standalone app called Parallels Toolbox for Mac is a set of 20 utilities that offer one-click functions for things like screen casting, media downloads, and file management (unzipping, archiving, and password protecting files). In other words, many of the handy utilities and apps you’d normally have to download to a new Mac from a long list of third-party/shareware sources, all in one location, paid for and simplified for ease of use. The Toolbox will be included for Parallels 12 users and also available standalone for $10/year. Here’s what’s included:
- Distraction-free presentation modes for both Mac and Windows VMs, including: Hide Desktop Files, Do Not Disturb, Keep Mac Awake.
- Archive, encrypt and password protect all of your files.
- Simply capture screen shots or record video of a screen, window or area.
- Download videos from YouTube, Facebook and other websites with a single click.
- Time management tools—an alarm, timer, date countdown and stopwatch.
- Unpack files from ZIP, RAR and many other formats.
Here’s a look at the new Toolbox with the utilities launching initially:
Parallels also says it’s worked with Blizzard to enable support for popular PC and Xbox game Overwatch, and the Windows 10 Xbox app is now supported, allowing streaming of Xbox games to your Mac via Parallels if your Mac can handle it.
You can also now buy Windows 10 and install it directly via a redesigned installer wizard (pictured above), and the company is including Acronis True Image 500GB cloud backup storage for free to all users.
You can eventually try Parallels Desktop 12 for free for 14 days, or buy it for $79.99 or $99/year for Pro and Business subscriptions.
You can upgrade for $49 from Parallels Desktop 10 or 11. Upgrades from 10 and 11 to 12 are available today and version 12 will become available on Aug 23rd for those who purchase new. Those who purchased version 11 from Aug. 1 or later will automatically get an upgrade to version 12.
Business and Pro subscriptions offer support for additional pro and business apps, 24/7 tech support, and includes Parallels’ $99/year mobile Access service (review).
In addition, we’ll be giving out 4 separate Parallels 12 Pro codes, a $100 value, 1 each to readers who retweet on Twitter or like this post on Facebook, or new newsletter or Youtube subscribers.Update: Winners announced below.
Parallels For Mac Change Memory Settings
GIVEAWAY WINNERS:
- Twitter: @_flowg
- Facebook: Donald Hutchinson Jr
- YouTube: ItsInnk
- Newsletter: Ervins Strauhmanis
A full list of what’s new in Parallels version 12 below:
Parallels Desktop 12 What’s New:
Parallels For Mac Setting Spray
- Parallels Toolbox for Mac:20 tools that simplify everyday tasks on your Mac.
- Simplified backup: One year of Acronis True Image 500GB cloud backup storage, which can backup new incremental changes to a VM,instead of having to resave an entire VM and changes every time changes are made.
- Support for Blizzard Entertainmentís Overwatch PC game.
- Support for Windows 10Xbox app, for streaming and playing all Xbox games on a Mac
- Schedule Windows updates for an appropriate time at night to avoid time-consuming disruptions during your day.
- Control storage space used by VMs directly from the Optimized Storage in macOS Sierra.
- Store Microsoft Edgeôand Internet ExplorerÆpasswords in Mac KeychainÆ.
- Assign special behaviors to Windows apps, such as Always Open Full Screen or Always Hide Other Apps, so they play even better on your Mac.
- Easily cancel time-consuming VM actions.
- Open documents from SharePointÆand Office 365Æin MicrosoftOffice for Windows desktop applications directly from your favorite Mac browser.
- Keep Windows ready in the background, instead of suspending the VM,to instantly open Windows applications and documents.
- OutlookÆfor Windows now features your recently accessed documents, both Mac and Windows, so they are conveniently available to select when you add attachments to your emails.
- Improved RetinaÆsupport for resizing Windows VMs.
- Archive VMs to save space in the Pro Edition
- Set resource usage limits for VMs in the Pro Edition.
- Network Conditioner in the Pro Edition now features preconfigured network profiles (Edge, 100 percent loss, 3G, DSL, Very Bad Network and Wi-Fi)to make testing a breeze, as well as customizable settings.