This article gives instructions on installing Windows on your Mac for the first time to use with Parallels Desktop.
Launch Windows apps from the Dock, use Mac gestures in Windows, and copy & paste and drag & drop between Windows and Mac applications. Best of Both Worlds Run Windows ® 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows XP, and more side by side with macOS ®. Parallels Desktop For Mac. Parallels Desktop 12 activation key is a powerful piece of the application that allows the users to create virtual machine quickly. This software can run Windows OS on a Mac computer. Parallels Desktop 12 mac was made to work with different versions of Windows, and can also be used to install several others, like Android, Linux, Chrome OS.
You can also:
- If you uncheck the 64-bit Windows version box at the bottom, Parallels will download the 32-bit version instead. The only reason to do so might be if you have a Mac with less than 4GB of RAM.
- Parallels also notes smoother scrolling in Windows 8, support for the upcoming Power Nap feature in OS X Mavericks (to keep Windows up to date even when the Mac is in sleep mode), as well as new.
- Parallels Desktop provides support for a plethora of operating systems, such as Windows (going from Windows 3.11 to Windows 8), MS-DOS, RED Hat Enterprise, Fedora, CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, Suse Linux Enterprise, Mandriva, Solaris, Chrome OS, Mac OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard Server or Android.
- Using Parallels, you can run the virtualised OS alongside Mac OS X, and if you’re running Lion with the latest version of the virtualisation software, you can make use of the ‘full screen’ feature, and have Windows 8 running as no more than its own app in Mission Control.
- 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
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
Microsoft Windows 8 For Mac
Parallels 8 For Mac Download
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.