Parallels Desktop for Mac
| Version (as of 8/22/2017) | 13 |
| Platform | |
| License | Commercial |
| Category | System |
| More Info (visit publisher's website) |
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Rating:
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Software Overview
Main Features
- Run multiple versions of Windows or macOS
- Transfer files and copy and paste data between Mac and Windows systems
- Control Windows programs like native Mac applications
- Compatibility for plug and play USB devices
- Take and revert back to virtual machine snapshots
- Manage storage space used by VMs directly from MacOS
- Improved snapshot creation, VM suspension, and shared folders performance
- Support for over 60 operating systems
- Security administration tools
- 3D graphics support
Parallels Desktop for Mac is an operating system virtualization program that allows Windows and other operating systems to run on an Intel-based Mac. The program enables users to run Windows within macOS (OS X) and supports transferring files as well as copying and pasting data between the two interfaces. It supports 3D graphics capabilities and plug and play USB devices, including printers, digital cameras, and GPS navigation systems.
Parallels Desktop runs as an application within the macOS desktop environment and allows users to install a version of Windows or choose an existing virtual machine (VM) installation. After installation, the macOS and Windows systems are seamlessly integrated by Parallels Desktop. You can choose to run Parallels Desktop in full screen mode to immerse yourself in a VM, coherence mode to use Windows applications side-by-side with macOS applications, or modality mode to run the VM as a window in macOS. Parallels Desktop allows you to share files and copied text between operating systems using drag-and-drop functionality. You can also assign plug and play USB devices to a host operating system, or switch between operating systems.
The virtualization software supports thousands of applications on over 60 operating systems, including Windows 3.1, 95, 98, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10. Parallels Desktop also supports execution of macOS 10.12 Sierra, 10.11 El Capitan, 10.10 Yosemite, 10.9 Mavericks, and 10.8 Mountain Lion as guest operating systems. Other supported operating systems include SUSE, Red Hat, Debian, Fedora Core, Mandriva, FreeBSD, OS/2, Solaris, MS-DOS, and Google ChromeTM. Both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems are supported.
The program gives you complete control of your VMs allowing you to pause, suspend, shut down, or restart the operating systems. You can also take snapshots of different states of the VMs, which enables you to revert back to a saved configuration. The virtualization program also offers Parallels Toolbox with Parallels Desktop. It provides helpful and convenient functionality to simplify common tasks. You can archive files, record your screen, take screenshots, record audio, and convert video with just a few clicks.
Parallels Desktop is a great solution for home or business users who prefer the macOS environment, but may need to still run Windows-only applications. In fact, it is the most popular choice by macOS users for running Windows on their Mac machines. The program is also helpful for Mac owners who want to run Linux programs or older Windows operating systems. If you fall in either of these categories, you should try Parallels Desktop.
▶ Primary file extension
▶ Other file extensions used by Parallels Desktop for Mac 13
| Supported File Types | |
|---|---|
| .FDD | Parallels Desktop Floppy Disk Image File |
| .HDD | Parallels Desktop Hard Disk File |
| .HDS | Parallels Desktop Hard Disk File |
| .ISO | Disc Image File |
| .MEM | Parallels Desktop Memory Dump File |
| .PVC | Parallels Desktop Copied Configuration File |
| .PVM | Parallels Virtual Machine |
| .PVS | Parallels Desktop Configuration File |
| .SAV | Parallels Desktop Saved State Image File |
| Additional Related File Formats | |
|---|---|
| .BAT | DOS Batch File |
| .CMD | Windows Command File |
| .COM | DOS Command File |
| .DEV | Windows Device Driver File |
| .EXE | Windows Executable File |
| .INI | Windows Initialization File |
| .LNK | Windows File Shortcut |
| .MSSTYLES | Windows XP Style |
| .SYS | Windows System File |
| .WPX | Printer Description File |
Updated: August 22, 2017