Meet Parallels Desktop 26: Optimized for macOS Tahoe, ready for IT, designed for every user
New Parallels Desktop unlocked! Your favorite “run Windows on Mac” software has officially gotten its 2026 glow-up.
It’s ready for the latest versions of macOS and Windows, packed with new features and enhancements, and I’m excited to show you what it can do starting August 26, 2025.
Key takeaways:
- What individual users will see in Parallels Desktop 26, including support for macOS Tahoe 26 plus an updated look and feel to match Apple’s latest OS
- Which new features IT admins and businesses can expect—now and in the near future
- How Parallels Desktop evolved in 2025 and what that means for next year
What’s new in Parallels Desktop 26 for individual users
Wondering what it looks like to get your Mac ready for macOS Tahoe with Parallels Desktop? Here’s a quick look at what you can expect when you buy or upgrade to the latest version.
Compatibility with macOS Tahoe 26 and Windows 11 25H
Next year’s operating systems are coming—and Parallels Desktop 26 is made to run them like they’re native to your Mac. It’s fully optimized for macOS Tahoe 26, designed to support Windows 11 25H2, and will be refreshed as macOS and Windows are updated.
So you can upgrade to Tahoe and know your Mac’s workflow will keep on flowing.
Bonus: Parallels Desktop 26 also includes some visual updates to match the new aesthetic for macOS Tahoe. Keep your eyes peeled for a fresh Dock and icons!
Support for macOS 26 background process changes
With macOS Tahoe, there’ll be some changes and new restrictions on how background processes run.
Parallels Desktop 26 is designed to support these changes so your background processes, including setup routines and Coherence mode, can run like normal.
New versioning scheme
I know software versioning can be like climbing a tree where branches split unexpectedly halfway through your ascent. With this release, the Parallels Desktop team is borrowing a leaf from Apple’s book and embracing simplicity with a new naming convention.
Starting with Parallels Desktop 26, version numbers will match both the year it was designed for and the version of macOS it supports. This will make it easy to track upgrades and ensure you have the right version!
Visibility into Mac disk space for Windows VMs
With Parallels Desktop 26, Windows virtual machines (VMs) can now see your Mac’s available disk space. This will ultimately give you better control over your storage—and it will give your device better ways to prevent freezes, slowdowns, and crashes.
What’s new in Parallels Desktop 26 for businesses and IT teams
Along with general features, Parallels Desktop 26 has some high-value new features designed to make life easier for IT and organizations.
Renewed SOC 2 Type II compliance
Worried about security? Don’t be. Parallels Desktop 26 has officially passed its latest SOC 2 Type II audit for the latest reporting period, so IT teams can continue to expect enterprise-grade security and privacy controls.
New guide for single-app deployment in Windows
Sometimes, you don’t need a full Windows environment—you just need an app or two.
Parallels Desktop 26 includes new documentation to guide IT administrators through the process of deploying individual Windows apps on Mac without the full interface experience for end users. This means users get what they need, and IT teams can ensure lightweight setups for specialized workflows or legacy apps.
New Jamf functionality for monitoring and managing updates
This new release gives IT teams the power to monitor and manage Windows OS updates within Windows VMs using Jamf Pro and other mobile device management (MDM) systems. This way, IT teams can track installs and versions without relying on in-VM tools.
Admins can also find scripts to check update status or initiate scans on the Parallels GitHub page.
Coming soon: Granular policy controls for secure VMs
With the Parallels Desktop 26 release, IT teams will gain access to the Parallels Desktop Enterprise Management Portal. This new portal allows for enforcing settings on shared folders, USB access, clipboard sharing, and network modes across users.
Heads up: Keep an eye out for a not-so-distant future release that will introduce functions for defining and managing VM configuration settings centrally, too. This will give IT teams control over devices, configuration, and OSs, even as users create new VMs.
Quick recap: What came to Parallels Desktop in 2025
Missed some of the latest updates to Parallels Desktop? A lot has changed over the past year.
Here’s a quick preview of how Parallels Desktop has evolved in the last 12 months—and the type of evolution you can expect to see continue with Parallels Desktop 26.
Customized VM deployments with multiple golden images
This release introduced the ability for IT teams to assign unique golden images by user group—so different roles got tailored VMs for what they needed.
USB passthrough support for macOS VMs on Apple silicon devices
This update allowed users to connect USB devices like drives, security keys, and network adapters to VMs on Apple silicon devices, meaning better testing, security, and development.
SSO activation enforcement through MDM
Parallels Desktop introduced a new feature that allows IT administrators to enforce SSO as the only way to activate VMs, even if users reinstall Parallels Desktop.
SSO support for Google Workspace and JumpCloud
This release introduced new support for Google Workspace and JumpCloud as IdPs for Parallels Desktop Enterprise, meaning new methods for secure logins and provisioning.
VM locking for secure access
With this release, IT admins could lock their company’s VMs to the organization’s control. This restricts access to organizational users and prevents VMs from being transferred or reused improperly.
User setting locking for admins
This new feature allowed IT admins to lock configuration settings through their Enterprise portal, ensuring consistent setups and lower support demand.
Compatibility for Windows apps and Apple Writing Tools
With this release, users could start using Apple Intelligence features like Rewrite and Summarize in Windows apps like Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook in their Windows VMs.
Dragon Medical One macros for Mac apps
This feature introduced the ability for users to dictate directly into Mac apps and run voice commands and macros from Dragon Medical One.
OBS virtual camera support for Windows apps
This update added support for the OBS virtual camera, meaning users could stream from their Mac’s version of OBS software to Windows video conferencing or capture apps.
Virtual machine improvements for macOS
Along with feature updates, Parallels Desktop received improvements to the overall VM experience, including things like better VPN and network handling, clipboard sharing, drag-and-drop improvements, and snapshot switching for macOS VMs.
Preview: x86 support on Apple silicon
In 2025, Parallels Desktop received a new emulation preview feature that allows users to run Intel-based Windows or Linux VMs on Apple silicon Macs.
This shows how Parallels Desktop evolves to match today’s virtualization needs—for everyone from individual users to enterprise IT professionals.
Try Parallels Desktop 26 today
Ready to set up your device for the latest Apple and Windows updates? Make sure your Parallels Desktop matches. Test out the newest version and prepare your Mac device for the changes coming in 2026 with a 14-day free trial today!
