Parallels
A fast, easy, and powerful application for running Windows on your Apple M-series Mac—all without rebooting. Includes 40+ one-touch tools to simplify everyday tasks on Mac and Windows.
If you are not sure if you should use an Azure Virtual Desktop or Parallels, please reference the information found in this help article.
Available to
Faculty, Staff, Students
Platforms
Mac
Install Time
~20 minutes
Before You Begin
For the best experience, it is recommended you download this while on campus or somewhere you have a high-speed internet connection.
Installation Instructions
Please note: Parallels should only be installed on Apple M-Series computers. If you have an Intel-based Mac, please request an Azure Virtual Desktop.
- Request license
- Once you have received an invitation email from Parallels, you can continue to Step 2.
- Click on the link within the email to Download Parallels Desktop for Mac.
- Double-click the installation file Install Parallels Desktop.dmg.
- Double click the Install Parallels Desktop icon.
- Enter your Mac Administrator credentials to proceed.
- Click Activate if the Activation key is prefilled when prompted, otherwise enter it from the email you received.
- Click Ok.
- Click the appropriate link below to download the Windows 11 VM for Parallels.
- Copy the Windows 11 VM file that was downloaded to the /Users/YourUsername/Parallels folder.
- Once copied to the new location, launch Parallels.
- Choose Skip when prompted and select Open from the bottom left. Choose the Windows11***.pvmp file and click Open again.
- Click the play icon.
- Windows 11 will prompt that it can’t launch the camera and microphone due to macOS privacy restrictions. Click Ok or Open System Settings to allow. Allowing the camera and microphone are not required to run the Parallels VM.
- If prompted that a new version of Parallels is available, please download the new version.
- WARNING – If you have another VM application installed on your system that is set to default, this application may launch rather than Parallels. Please ensure Parallels is your default VM application.