Parallels Desktop for Mac

Software Overview

Main Features

• Run multiple versions of Windows, Linux, Android, and macOS systems
• Transfer files and copy and paste data between Mac and VM OSes
• Control VM OS programs like native Mac applications
• Connect plug-and-play USB devices, such as flash drives, printers, and digital cameras
• Capture VM snapshots and revert back to saved states
• Manage storage space used by VMs directly from macOS
• Use Toolbox utilities to take screenshots, record video and audio, archive files, and more

Parallels Desktop for Mac is an operating system virtualization program that allows Windows and other operating systems (OSes) to run on an Intel-based Mac. The program supports plug-and-play USB devices, including printers, flash drives, digital cameras, and GPS navigation systems. It also supports data transfer between macOS and the OSes running in Parallels, such as moving files and copying and pasting information.

Parallels Desktop for Mac runs as an application within the macOS desktop environment and allows users to install a version of Windows, macOS, or download a version of Linux or Android. After installation, the macOS and OS on the virtual machine (VM) are seamlessly integrated by Parallels Desktop for Mac. You can choose to run the virtualization software in full-screen mode to immerse yourself in the OS, coherence mode to use the VM OS applications side-by-side with macOS applications, or modality mode to run the VM as a window in macOS. Parallels Desktop for Mac allows you to share files and copied text between OSes using drag-and-drop functionality. You can also assign plug-and-play USB devices to a host OS, or switch between OSes.

The virtualization software supports thousands of applications on over 60 OSes, including Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, and 2000. Parallels Desktop also supports execution of macOS 10.15 Catalina, 10.14 Mojave, 10.13 High Sierra, 10.12 Sierra, 10.11 El Capitan, 10.10 Yosemite, 10.9 Mavericks, 10.8 Mountain Lion, and 10.7 Lion as guest OSes. Other supported OSes include Ubuntu Linux, Fedora Linux, CentOS Linux SUSE, Red Hat, Debian, Fedora Core, Mandriva, FreeBSD, Debian GNU/Linux, Mint Linux, Solaris, openBSD, FreeBSD, ReactOS, and Android OS. Both 32-bit and 64-bit OSes are supported.

The program gives you complete control of your VMs allowing you to pause, suspend, shut down, or restart the OSes. 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 for Mac, which provides helpful and convenient functionality to simplify common tasks. With just a few clicks you can perform a variety of functions, such as archive files, record your screen, take screenshots, record audio, convert video, turn off wireless communication in Airplane mode, set notification alarms and timers, make GIFs, enter Presentation mode, and switch the resolution of the VM.

Parallels Desktop for Mac is a great solution for home or business users who prefer the macOS environment but may need to still perform tasks in Windows, Linux, and Android environments. In fact, the virtualization software is the most popular choice by macOS users for running Windows and Linux OSes on their Mac machines. If you need to use either of these OSes on your Mac, you should try Parallels Desktop for Mac.

Supported File Types

Primary file extension

Other file extensions used by Parallels Desktop for Mac 15

Updated: August 21, 2019