A virtual machine environment on the Mac allows one to run a licensed copy of Windows or some popular distributions of Linux. John shows us how to also run macOS as a virtual machine guest OS.
This article gives instructions on installing Windows on your Mac for the first time to use with Parallels Desktop. You can also:. Import data from your Windows PC to your Mac. For instructions, see.
Upgrade an existing Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 virtual machine to Windows 10. For instructions, see. Instructions. If you are new to Parallels Desktop for Mac, download the latest version. If you are already a Parallels Desktop user, proceed with the next steps. If you are running 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 from Microsoft. For earlier versions of Windows, please refer to retail stores or authorized online resellers, including. 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: if you need help to choose Windows 10 edition: Home or Pro.
Open Parallels Desktop.app from the Applications folder and choose File New. Click Install Windows or another OS from DVD or image file, then click Continue. 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. Parallels Wizard will detect the installation media automatically for installing Windows.
You can also switch to manual mode and choose the source for Windows installation. Click Continue. In the Windows Product Key window, leave Express installation selected. Note: If you uncheck Express installation, you will need to after the Windows installation. When you are ready, click Continue. Select how you want to use Windows in Parallels Desktop for Mac Home Edition:.
Productivity. Games only And in Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro and Business Editions:. Software development. Software testing. Design To learn more about virtual machine profiles, visit. 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. 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 Parallels Virtual Machines list. 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.
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: How to create an.iso image from a Windows installation DVD. Other ways to create a Windows virtual machine using Parallels Desktop It is possible to create a Windows virtual machine by:.