You can use Parallels to install Windows on your Mac if you’re a Mac user and need to run Windows software or games that aren’t accessible on the Mac platform. Parallels is a piece of software that lets you run Windows on a Mac. It turns your Mac into a virtual machine, or a distinct environment, where you can install and run Windows. Although Parallels is not free, there is a trial version that you can use before purchasing it.
Two of the most well-known computer technology corporations are Microsoft and Apple. Apple makes high-end electronics like MacBook’s, iPhones, and iPads, while Microsoft is best known for its software packages like Windows and Microsoft Office. Apple also has its own operating system, macOS, which is included with all Mac models.
In this post, we’ll teach you how to use Parallels to install Windows on your Mac. We’ll also go over some of the advantages of running Windows on your Mac with Parallels.
Is it possible to install Windows on a Mac?
Windows can be installed on Apple Mac computers and laptops, and vice versa! There are numerous advantages to doing so, particularly if you wish to run Windows software on your Mac.
Windows file installers typically have an.exe file extension, which Macs do not recognize. Special apps, on the other hand, will recognize the.exe Windows installer extension on your Mac and allow you to install Windows on it.
Boot Camp and Parallels are the two most popular ways to install Windows on a Mac. While Parallels and Boot Camp both have similar capabilities, Parallels makes running Windows considerably easier and more streamlined. We’ll teach you how to use Parallels to install any suitable Windows operating system on your Mac.
What is Parallels for Mac and how does it work?
Parallels is a piece of software that lets you run Windows on your Mac.
Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac now comes in three flavours: Home and Student, Professional, and Enterprise. The Home and Student editions have the same basic functionality as the Pro and Business editions, but the Pro and Business editions offer more advanced capabilities intended for developers and business customers. You can try Parallels Desktop for 14 days for free to determine if it meets your needs.
Parallels Desktop for Mac is an application that allows you to install Windows on your Mac and operate it. It turns your Mac into a virtual machine, or a distinct environment, where you can install and run Windows.
Why Should You Use Parallels?
Parallels has several features that you won’t find in other similar software. Windows installation is simple, and you can install either Windows or Linux on your Mac. Support for Macs with Intel processors has been added in recent years as well.
There are various other reasons why you would wish to install Windows on your Mac using Parallels. The following are some of the advantages of using parallels:
- The ability to run both Windows and Mac applications simultane
- access to a larger selection of apps and games not available on the Mac platform.
- greater versatility in how you use your computer-you can use Windows while still having access to all of macOS’s capabilities, for example.
- Performance is superior to that of virtual machine software like VMware Fusion or Oracle VirtualBox.
- In Windows programmes, you can use your Mac’s built-in camera, microphone, and speakers.
- It’s easier to set up and install than a virtual machine.
Boot Camp, the built-in Mac software that allows you to switch between macOS and Windows (or Linux) on the same computer, has also undergone significant changes.While Boot Camp is a free option to run Windows on a Mac, Apple recently revealed that it will not be able to run Windows 10 on the newest and future ARM-based Macs.
If you plan to run a Windows VM on one of these ARM-based Macs or any other Mac, Parallels Desktop is a viable alternative. Parallels is also compatible with Intel-based Mac computers, allowing you to run another operating system on your machine.
Using Parallels to Install Windows on a Mac Desktop or Laptop
There are three scenarios that are likely to occur while installing Windows on a Mac using Parallels:
- You’ve just completed the Parallels Desktop installation on your Mac.
- You already have Parallels Desktop installed on your Mac and wish to create a Windows VM (virtual machine).
- You wish to move Windows 10 from a physical PC to your Mac’s Parallels Desktop Virtual Machine.
- In each of these circumstances, we’ll show you how to proceed.
Purchase a Windows licence as a pre-requisite.
While you can construct a new virtual machine to run Windows on a Mac, if you don’t have a licence, you might not be able to install and use the full version of Windows. Microsoft requires you to licence Windows, and you may need to pay a fee depending on the version you want on your Apple Mac device.
You can use a physical DVD or USB of Windows installation media to install Windows on a Mac if you have one. You can also buy a digital licence from Microsoft, which will allow you to install Windows on a Mac using Parallels, but this will cost more than buying through us.
More information on this can be found on Microsoft’s website.
Installing Windows on a Mac Using Parallels
Step 1: Download and install Parallels for Mac.
The first step is to download Parallels Desktop and install it on your Mac. On our website, you can download the most recent version of Parallels. It’s Mac software, so it’s completely safe to install. Although Mac software can be downloaded from the App Store, the Parallels Desktop download can also be found on the company’s official website.
What if I told you that because Apple supervises and authorises software that can appear in the Mac App Store, Mac apps are typically regarded as safer to use than Windows apps? All you have to do to install software is click the install button and wait!
When you launch Parallels once it has been installed, you will be required to enter your activation key. You can get a free 14-day trial if you don’t already have one.
Step 2 : Create a New Virtual Machine
To install Windows on a Mac, you must first establish a “virtual machine” for the operating system. To begin, launch your Parallels application, then go to File, then New.
In Parallels Desktop, you’ll have a few alternatives to choose from, but in Parallels Lite, you’ll just have one. In all circumstances, click the Continue button after clicking the Install Windows or another OS from DVD or image file icon.
Step 3: Select the Installation Media
- In most cases, Parallels will immediately detect the installation file.
- If the Windows installation file isn’t found automatically, click the “Locate Manually” button.
- Now choose where you want the file to be saved. You can choose from three options: DVD, USB drive, or image file. Choose one of these if you have the Windows installer program on a DVD or USB flash drive. To open the installer if you’ve downloaded it directly to your computer, click Image File (which is called a.iso disc image).
Step 4: Enter the product key for Windows.
If you bought and downloaded Windows software online, the product key is normally found on the retail package or in the confirmation email. It’s a letter-and-number-based 25-character code.
Fill in this information and then click Continue. If you don’t uncheck Express Installation, you’ll have to manually install “Parallels Tools” afterwards.
Step 5: Decide how you’ll use Windows.
There are a few different ways to run Windows on a Mac. Select the best choice for you, and Parallels will adjust your Windows experience accordingly.
You can use Parallels Desktop Lite for productivity (general work), gaming, graphic design, or software development.
Parallels Desktop also includes the option of optimizing Windows for software testing.
Give your virtual machine a name and a location.
Choose a name for your virtual machine and a location for it to be saved. It could be as basic as “Windows” or something else entirely.
By default, Parallels saves your virtual machine in its own folder inside the Documents folder on your Mac. To modify this, go to Customize options before installation and choose the location you want. You can always alter it later if you wish, or leave it on the default setting for now.
Parallels Desktop also allows you to share your Windows installation with other Mac user accounts. Simply select “Share with other Mac users.”
Step 7: Start the Installation Procedure
Click Continue once you’re satisfied with the settings. Your computer will begin the process of installing your new Windows operating system. Simply follow the on-screen prompts.
Simply open the program or click the Power button from the list of virtual machines on Parallels to launch Windows once it’s finished installing.
The first time you open Windows on your Mac, “Parallels Tools” will be installed immediately. Make sure you don’t interrupt the installation process of Parallels Tools, which lets your computer seamlessly switch between macOS and Windows. After the installation is complete, restart Windows, and you’re ready to go.
If you want to upgrade your Mac’s Windows version later, simply execute the upgrade installation file on your current Windows virtual machine, and it will recognise it as normal.
Just make sure you choose the right upgrade for your current Windows (32-bit or 64-bit) and that your virtual machine has adequate memory and hard disc space to finish the installation.
Last Thoughts
Having Windows on your Mac allows you to use apps designed specifically for Windows operating systems at peak speed without having to move to another machine. It also allows us to use our favourite Windows apps while preserving our Mac hardware, which is ideal for those of us who have become accustomed to Apple’s clean looks.
The only drawback is that you must allocate hard disc space between your Windows virtual machine and MacOS. Installing Windows on a Mac can expose your Mac to the same infections that affect Windows systems. It’s critical, then, that you have a trustworthy antivirus programme installed on your computer. You can look through our articles on how to install Windows without a USB drive here.
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