Parallels Desktop for Mac

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Key Details of Parallels Desktop for Mac

Run Windows and other operating systems simultaneously with Mac OS X
Last updated on 08/17/20
There has been 2 updates within the past 6 months
The current version has 1 flag on VirusTotal

Developer’s Description

Run Windows and other operating systems simultaneously with Mac OS X.

Parallels Desktop for Mac is the first solution that gives Apple users the ability to run Windows, Linux or any other operating system and their critical applications at the same time as Mac OS X on any Intel-powered iMac, Mac Mini, MacBook or MacBook Pro. Unlike dual-boot solutions, in which users must completely shut down Mac OS X and endure a full OS start-up cycle to access a important application, Parallels Desktop for Mac empowers users with the ability to run important Windows programs like Outlook, Access, Internet Explorer and all other applications without having to give up the usability and functionality of their Mac OS X machine even for a few minutes.

Parallels Desktop for Mac

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: August 17, 2020

Latest update: August 17, 2020

Version: 16.0.0.48916

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System: Mac OS X

Additional Requirements

macOS Catalina
macOS Mojave
macOS High Sierra
macOS Sierra
OS X El Capitan
OS X Yosemite
OS X Mavericks
OS X Mountain Lion

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 186,132

Downloads Last Week: 3

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Last Updated

User Reviews

3.6/5

233 User Votes

Good But COMPLICATED
RogermanaAugust 4, 2015
Pros
Can install easily and run very smoothly between Win and OSX. Can integrate other OS that were install with the Apple Boot Camp app into the Parallels environment Runs windows 7 well and software for productivity (Office etc)
Cons
Costly upfront If you run into problems, get ready for a very steep learning curve They give limited help, and may not listen well Each year they want about $50 US from you as you upgrade your OSX, otherwise like me you may find yourself staying with Mavericks The learning curve involves a lot of jargon for a start, then sifting through forums and a KB to find your problem
Summary
I gave this software 2 glowing reviews over 6 months, and then ran into trouble-windows 7 would no longer start, went into the Windows startup repair mode and then failed. I have spent 3 hours searching through the KB and the forums and am cobbling together ideas on how to fix it. I want to restart 7 without wiping all my data. It looks like it will take me about a day to fix it, using Apples own boot camp app to install a second windows 7 installation and then fixing the first one from there with System File Checker or similar. I note in the forums that whoever responds will answer a persons question with a few responses and then give up, leaving the question hanging. Apparently you have to then buy their time. I am not looking forward to that. Think carefully before you buy. You will be spending $50 p/y to keep up to date, and some more $ for help. I am not sure why mine failed-it could be a problem with Win 7, or with some Apple hardware update(video driver), or Parallels??
Very Happy with this, excellent product
rogermanawatuOctober 22, 2014
Pros
Quick to start on my Macbook Pro, Mavericks Runs all my familiar windows programs, while I am learning all the Mac systems Runs the two systems without conflict and allows access to the files within windows Stable in running
Cons
Well windows 8 can still get virus infections and needs protections as usual, one of my big reasons for walking away from MS Costs a bit, and upgrades cost. but overall it saves a lot of trouble, retains the use of some treasured MS software and data.
Summary
I have evaluated this for 6 months now, and am very impressed and happy with this system on my MAC. It gives me the best of both worlds. I recently had a problem where windows was in the middle of some updates, but I shut it down prematurely. Windows 7 wouldn't start up again. After a small search of the knowledge base, I learned how to start up windows in safe mode, overcame the startup problem, and away it went again. So this reminded me to backup any data I valued within the windows application, in case of a windows failure. It is a little less accessible if a problems occurs and windows has to be re-installed or something. But the main thing I like is the fact that this gives me two machines in one. I have been using windows for 20 years or more and there are some things I cannot change over to Mac. It is good to be able to keep using them, without having to have a second computer. I changed over because of Windows 8 and because of Microsofts apparent unconcern with users dislike of it. I am now grateful to them for helping me into Mac, which is different, but better in many ways. Roger Levy<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Oct 22, 2014<p/>6 months later, using Parallels and still happy with its stability. Not likely to update until I have to. Recently I had an issue with windows 7 not wanting to startup-something to do with a bad shutdown. But I leaned how to start it up in Safemode and the problem went away.
What an amazing thing, absolutely delighted with this
rogermanawatuApril 19, 2014
Pros
I searched for days around the idea of how to get my familiar windows programs to work on my new Mac with Mavericks and 16G of Ram. I choose Parallels, downloaded, installed it without delay and very little Help on how to do it, other than other reviewers saying the wizards were fairly intuitive. Then Installed Win7 and my old serial key. Away I went. Now in my second day, have e-Sword, Real Player Alternative and VLC Media going. As we speak I am using Internet Explorer on my Mac! I am very impressed, this is far and away the best piece of software I have bought in ages. It works in slightly funny way with its integration and confluence or whatever, but man it works! I will install some old MS Office software my wife likes and it is going to make the windows to Mac transition much easier. So far seems stable, it had one little trick post installation to install some extra tools, apart from that NOT Hard to use.
Cons
Very few at this stage. eg I notice something funny when filling out a search field, sometimes the text doesn't appear. I still have to install some Antivirus. That one big reason why I ditched Windows. I did not find a PDF walk-through on installation. That would have been nice. Our school server blocks YouTube so I can't see the Movie file helps at Parallels, not their fault. No, this is good stuff, I have nothing to compare it to, never used Fusion or Virtual Box.
Summary
I got my copy from Creation Engine (Google that) for 40 bucks cos I am a student and work at a school, so I am very happy about the price. I know that if I do need a upgrade sometime, it will cost the same or more, but as I have a high power system, that won't need to happen for a long time. I just love that I can skip from Win7 to Mac, have access to ALL files. As a humble Office and photo album person, watch movies, I don't need light speed graphics or processing, so I can't vouch for Parallels that way with gaming. But I hear it works ok. Whether you pay $40 or $80 this is gooood value as you can still use sooo many windows products. Eg DVDdecoder and Format Factory to rip and backup movies. I still have a Premiere Elements 8 licence that I can resurrect, rather than buy the latest, so on with my old family video clip editing. As for the install process, all you need to know is that when installing Win7, look under your old laptop for the Windows sticker and use the Product Key, 30 digit key for the installation. later, after install-shutdown-reboot you have to find the Parallels tools package and install it on the virtual windows. Sorry forget the exact name and location but it is important, as it allows the integration of files. Eg in Windows Explorer you can see and access all the Mac files in the Window structure. Now it takes some intelligence you get your head around all this virtual stuff, the fact that windows and the C drive is simulated but works as real. But hey, get used to it, so is the Whole Universe, but thats another story Ok, enough said about all this. I am puzzle here by people with very negative esperience. I do not look forward to having a serious issue as I know how torturous getting good help and IT advice can be. I do know that Fusion is about the same for IT support, and the Upgrade is basically full price, generally people like Fusion because it is simpler and easier to use. I can't imagine any much simpler than this. I have written a long, glowing review because I am so pleased to so easily be about to double my computing power with this thing. I do have a dual boot laptop that is Win 7/Ubuntu and it is not easy to use or maintain. The dual boot crashes, and you actually have to use a flash drive to copy files across, which is very cumbersome. Ubuntu uses an emulator called Wine, and to get a windows program to go on it the first time took about two days work, phew and lots of Geek power. This is my comparision with Parallels, which was about two hours and very very simple if you already know how to install any software. Regards, Roger Levy, Vanuatu
A waste for the most part...seek alternatives first!
SDJunkJanuary 7, 2014
Pros
Allows you to fully run any windows operating system in conjunction with your Mac OS. (Of course this is not without a smattering of issues.)
Cons
1) Current version does not work properly. Have submitted numerous tickets and the company continues to try to blame everyone but themselves for the issues. I've tested this latest version under Maverick and Mtn. Lion. In both situations there is nonstop ghosting of menus and the task bar when operating within the coherence environment. They could not resolve the issue of parallels not partitioning the virtual environment correctly with the overall size when it was their product used to establish the hard drive size. Had to resolve all issues on my own. 2) The company counts against you on how many trouble tickets you submit. Instead of actively leaving the areas open for customers to report ongoing issues with their product, they want to charge you after a certain number of tickets. Even the ones they NEVER resolve count against you. 3) A previous customer is correct in stating that each time they have a new version of the product, they force an upgrade...
Summary
Overall, this product used to be much more stable than where it is now. I go all the way back to version 4. What I find interesting is that each time a new version is rolled out of the product, somehow the current version begins to get slower and slower. Then I start to notice odd messages. With the current version, I have to constantly restart the OS to get things that were appearing at one point to appear again. The funny part is the program is still running, it decides to go away on its own with this version. Even in coherence, the windows task bar can be viewed from behind my dock bar. If you try to click on it, the wheel keeps on spinning..."rolling, rolling, but not on a RIVER!" They will insist this is a Microsoft issue that must be resolved with them. It never happened on v7 (I did not upgrade to 8). The funny part is that the product had been working totally fine until they announce the new upgrade information. After so much time, the old version becomes so irritatingly worrisome with the lack of speed in loading and newfound "issues" you end up upgrading. So yes, all this company wants is your money. Bottom line, they need to seriously work on some REAL technical support. When tickets are submitted and you prove to them with various page shots for analysis (or even videos) that the problem is with their product, they need to take ownership and FIX the issues. When problems arose on my end, I repaired them on my own and did not even bother to share the solution with them. They spend too much sending contradictory messages back and forth without reading what they had stated in the previous response. My recommendation is that if you can find another viable solution to running your windows OS, explore it first. Parallels is a long way from the company I would have sent users to in earlier years. It is a joke. If reading comprehension is a problem and you're a global service offerings company, get enough common sense to make sure your technical support folks are from the actual country the service ticket is submitted from. This is so no brainer instead of this nonstop cheap crap that gets us nowhere all the way around!
they want your money every year
gatesbusterOctober 4, 2013
Pros
it works and does what it supposed to do
Cons
Each upgrade is charged. I bought parrallels 6, then 7, then I refuse to pay for 8 who is now obsolete. they force you to upgrade making 7 incompatible with maverick to come
Summary
I am giving my money to vmware; at least they don't charge you for every upgrade and their older version is compatible with the new OS X. Parrallels is a rip off, trying to charge you for $50 each year
Taking us for a ride - not this time
osos10September 19, 2013
Pros
This is a 3 to 3.5 stars product, not too fast but rather stable. I seldom use it, and find myself using it less and less over the years. I still run parallels 7 with WIN XP, that I upgraded from 6 just because it was a few $ upgrade at some point.
Cons
I give it 1 star since they are trying to ride on the OS 10.9 train sending me a message parallels 7 will be obsolete on 10.9.
Summary
Parallels with this move your gonna lose one customer, me. I'll upgrade and just delete parallels from my Mac altogether.
Runs every program I need
nrkmann--2008November 10, 2012
Pros
Computer: 8GB MacBook Pro 17" Core2Duo 2.66 Runs quickly, can watch video and listen to music. I regularly use Office 2007 Live Meeting, Cisco simulation software, terminal serve into my server, etc. all with no problems
Cons
Have to run some programs in XP SP3 mode from Win 7 or Win 8. Seems to have a memory leak, i.e. keeps using more and more memory until all memory is in use and will not release the memory when shut down. Have to reboot the Mac every week or so to get my memory back. As others have said a bit expensive if you have to have the latest and greatest. I buy updates at the end of cycle when they are $25-$30. This seems to work for me.
Summary
Not an honest company
robjacoAugust 16, 2012
Pros
Works in current year
Cons
You have to pay for upgrade for every update in the Mac OS. If you then upgrade to use the new MAC OS, they will come out with an update to that version a month later. So, if you want the most up to date version and be an early adopter, plan on spending $100 per year to use this software. They suck you in and then they got you.
Summary
If you are okay with spending $70 to $120 per year to have the latest Mac OS, go for it. ($20 for Mac OS + $50 to $100 for Parallels depending on how quick you upgrade to the annual Mac OS update.
Parallels Desktop Tech. Support
MikeTredwayAugust 2, 2012
Pros
I am extremely impressed with the Tech.Support I have received from them. I have not expereienced the like for years.
Cons
When I find some I'll let you know
Summary
Charging you to watch adds!
jeffreymadsonJuly 30, 2012
Pros
Fast and does virtualization very well.
Cons
I am responsible for 100's of copies of Parallels worldwide. The company has decided to display ads for itself and others into the interface of this application even after you purchase at full price. They say that you can select them and turn them off one at a time but that only stops that particular add from coming again. They also say that there is no way to turn them off permanently but a solution has been provide on the internet if you look. I am shocked that Parallels has turned their flagship Application into a billboard. I will not be subsidizing Parallels advertising within my Application in future purchasing, goodbye Parallels.
Summary