Parallels Desktop guide: Run the apps you need on the devices you have

Sometimes the app you need to access is built for Windows. With Parallels Desktop, you can still use the right program on the Mac you already have.

Run your favorite Windows apps without sacrificing compatibility or performance. Get started in minutes, no reboot required, and run your favorite Windows and macOS apps side by side.

Whether you’ve made the switch to Mac, or are:

• A student needing a range of programs
• Finance professionals who rely on Windows-only tools
• IT admins for teams

Parallels Desktop is the fast, easy, and powerful solution you’re looking for.

Start your Parallels Desktop free trial and run your first Windows app on Mac today.

How Parallels Desktop runs Windows on Mac

When your work depends on Windows software but your daily driver is a Mac, you shouldn't have to switch devices to get things done.

Parallels Desktop lets you run virtual machines locally, so you can open the tools you rely on without rebooting or juggling devices.

Think of it as a software-defined computer for your Mac that runs guest operating systems alongside macOS.

Whether you are on Intel-based Macs or the latest Apple silicon, Parallels Desktop streamlines setup with the Installation Assistant and support for an Arm-based operating system like Windows 11 on ARM.

If you are coming from Boot Camp, this is the simpler path that keeps your files, clipboard, and workflows moving.

Power users gain access to advanced features that accelerate everyday tasks, including full-screen mode for a distraction-free Windows desktop and the snapshot feature for instant rollbacks before making significant changes.

If you are comparing virtualization solutions, start here, then pick the edition that fits how you work.

By the end, you will know which edition fits you, how to install Windows 11 on your Mac, and the simple ways to keep everything secure with SSO integration, MFA via your IdP, and admin controls for larger fleets.

What is Parallels Desktop?

Parallels Desktop is a virtualization software that lets a Mac run Windows or Linux in an isolated virtual machine (VM).

You can create virtual machines for different operating systems, making it easy to set up the environment you need.

This means you don’t need to choose between Mac and Windows apps; you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

For example, let’s say you’re an accountant with a Mac, and you need to use Excel alongside Numbers.

No problem; with Parallels Desktop, you can run both programs side-by-side on your Mac.

Parallels Desktop also allows you to run different versions of Windows and Linux, which is useful for testing or ensuring compatibility with specific software.

Who Parallels Desktop is for

Parallels Desktop is for you if you’re a Mac user and you:

• Need specific Windows apps for work or school
• Develop and test reproducible Windows environments
• Are part of an IT team that needs centralized licensing, policy controls, and packaging

Keep in mind, if you plan to run Windows 11 on a Mac, you’ll use a Microsoft-authorized solution.

The simplest way to run Windows on Apple Silicon is to get secure and compliant virtualization, optimized performance, and end-to-end support from both Parallels Desktop and Microsoft. 

 

Parallels Desktop editions and features at a glance

Not sure which plan is right for you? If you’re a home user and simply want to run your favorite Windows programs on your Mac, Standard is a great choice.

Power user or developer? You’ll enjoy the freedom, advanced features, and controls that come with the Pro version, including support for more Windows versions and higher hardware specs. For teams and small businesses, our Business plan is the best option.

System requirements and compatibility

Before installing Parallels Desktop, ensure your system meets the basic requirements to achieve fast and reliable performance from the start:

• Parallels Desktop is compatible with all modern Macs, including those with Apple Silicon chips (M-series), as well as Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9 processors.
  • For basic performance, you can also use an Intel Core M or Xeon processor.
  • For graphics-intensive applications, software development, high loads, and running multiple virtual machines, you can also use an Xeon processor.
• If you’re on Apple silicon, Parallels Desktop provides Microsoft-authorized support for Windows 11 on Arm, the official and secure way to run Windows apps on an M-series Mac. Parallels Desktop supports ARM based operating systems, including ARM based versions of Windows and Linux, allowing you to run these systems efficiently on Apple silicon.
  • You’ll be able to install and activate Windows 11 in just a few clicks, with automatic provisioning for drivers, networking, and integration tools.
• Parallels Desktop connects the devices you rely on, including USB drives, printers, and cameras.
  • You can choose whether to attach devices to macOS or your Windows virtual machine.
  • You can install operating systems from an image file, such as a Windows or Linux installation ISO.

For a comprehensive overview, refer to the Parallels installation guide and compatibility knowledge base.

How Parallels Desktop works on a Mac

Parallels Desktop serves as a bridge between operating systems: your Mac acts as the host, and Windows or Linux runs as a guest within a secure, high-performance virtual machine.

When it comes to CPU and memory, Parallels dynamically allocates CPU cores (vCPUs), RAM, storage, and graphics to provide each VM with the necessary horsepower. However, you can also manually specify how much CPU and memory can be consumed by your virtual machine.

Additionally, in the graphics pane, you can view and configure the amount of video memory available to the virtual machine's video card, set the resolution, and more.

Coherence Mode

If you want to run your Windows and Mac apps side-by-side, you’ll enjoy Coherence Mode. It blurs the line between systems: your Windows apps appear alongside your macOS ones, rather than on a separate visible Windows desktop.

It’s ideal for multitasking, or when you need an app like Excel, Access, or SolidWorks to run alongside Safari or Keynote.

Your files, your choice

Keep your files and tools where you want them. Parallels allows you to perform tasks such as sharing files and folders, as well as copying and pasting text and images between macOS and Windows.

You can even access files on your Mac's desktop directly from within your Windows virtual machine, making it easy to drag and drop or share documents between environments.

You can adjust the sharing scope in settings; choose all files, specific folders, or isolate environments for added security.

Local virtualization (Desktop on Mac)

Getting started with Parallels Desktop takes just minutes:

1. Install Parallels Desktop on your Mac
2. Add Windows 11 through the guided setup
3. Launch apps from your Dock just like native macOS apps
4. Work in Coherence Mode for integrated productivity

Both Apple silicon and Intel Macs support native virtualization, delivering near-hardware performance.

For specialized use cases, x86 VM emulation on Apple silicon is available as a preview, allowing you to run some Intel-based (x86_64) virtual machines on Apple silicon Macs via our proprietary emulation engine (note that, because this tool is in the early preview stage, performance can vary).

Centralized delivery (Parallels RAS/Secure Workspace)

For teams and enterprises, Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition and Parallels Secure Workspace enable safe, centralized app and desktop delivery.

With these tools, you can publish Windows apps (or even entire desktops) from on-premises servers or cloud environments and access them from any device: Mac, PC, tablet, or browser.

Admins gain granular policy control, session monitoring, and scalable deployment, which reduces complexity and costs compared to traditional VDI solutions.

Quick start, Windows on a Mac

Get Windows running on your Mac with Parallels Desktop in just a few clicks with these steps:

1. Install Parallels Desktop: Download Parallels Desktop and follow the guided installer. It automatically detects your Mac hardware and configures default settings for optimal performance.
2. Create a new virtual machine: From the Parallels Control Center, click + to create a new virtual machine.
3. Choose Windows 11 on Arm image: Download and set up a genuine copy, or use an image file (such as an ISO) to install Windows or Linux
4. Allocate CPU and RAM using defaults that fit office apps: Use the recommended defaults for your workload:
   1. Office and productivity apps: 2 vCPUs, 4–8 GB RAM
   2. Development tools or data work: 4 vCPUs, 8–16 GB RAM
      (Parallels dynamically balances performance so your Mac stays fast even when multitasking).
5. Install Parallels Tools: Once Windows boots, Parallels Tools automatically install to enable full integration, including better display scaling, a shared clipboard, drag-and-drop file support, and responsive input.
6. Optimize sharing and security preferences: In the settings, choose how much to share between macOS and Windows, including folders, printers, camera, and clipboard. For most users, allowing access to your Documents, Downloads, and Desktop folders provides easy file movement without compromising privacy.

The best part? No reboot required, just get started and go.

Performance tuning basics

You already get great performance out of the box, but a few small tweaks help tailor Parallels Desktop to your workflow, allowing you to get the most out of this powerful program.

CPU and RAM guidelines

• Minimum: To run most applications such as Microsoft Office, accounting software, trading software, and more.
  • Memory: 4 GB of RAM
  • Storage: 600 MB for Parallels Desktop application installation. Additional disk space for the guest operating system is required (at least 16 GB for Windows OS).
  • Graphics: Any Apple silicon chip (M-series), Intel, AMD Radeon, or NVIDIA graphics cards
• Best performance: For graphics-intensive applications, software development, high loads, and running multiple virtual machines
  • Memory: 16 GB of RAM or more
  • Storage: SSD drive
  • Graphics: Any Apple silicon chip (M-series), AMD Radeon Pro graphics card

3D acceleration

If you want to use games and applications that require video cards with OpenGL support, enable 3D acceleration. This menu is available for Linux virtual machines only; in Windows virtual machines, 3D acceleration is turned on by default.

Disk sizing

Start with what you actually need, then leave headroom for updates and apps. Most users are comfortable with a 64 to 128 GB virtual disk for Windows 11, with 20 to 30 GB of free space inside the VM after installation.

Use a dynamically expanding disk so it only consumes Mac storage as data grows. Fixed-size disks can offer steadier performance for large databases or media projects, but they occupy the full space upfront.

If you are unsure, choose 128 GB and grow later. Expanding a Parallels disk is straightforward; shrinking it is more challenging. Snapshots and saved states also consume space, so factor in an extra 10 to 30% if you keep several restore points.

Keep at least 25% free space on your Mac’s internal drive for APFS to remain responsive. If storage is tight, place the VM on a fast external SSD over Thunderbolt or USB 4 and keep your snapshots on the same volume.

For managed fleets, set a standard baseline image size and a policy for expansion. This maintains consistent performance and prevents unexpected storage alerts for users.

Housekeeping and optimization

Keep these best practices for caches and temporary files in mind to optimize your performance:

• Empty the Windows Recycle Bin and macOS Trash regularly
• Use Parallels Toolbox → Clean Drive to clear temp files and logs
• If you take many snapshots, prune older ones to save gigabytes

Set a recurring reminder or automate with Toolbox to make good hygiene effortless.

Security and privacy essentials

To keep your Parallels Desktop virtual machine secure, here’s how you can protect performance, privacy, and peace of mind:

• Snapshots and rollback practice: A snapshot is a saved state of the guest OS. It’s useful in case something goes wrong; you can revert the changes to any of your snapshots and continue working with the guest OS. Additionally, if you don't want Windows to store the changes you make during the working session, you can start it in Rollback Mode.
• Clipboard and folder sharing: Parallels allows you to control how information is transferred between macOS and Windows.
  • Are you unsure which settings are best for you?
    • For most users, share only Documents, Downloads, and Desktop to keep workflows smooth while minimizing risk. Also, consider setting files to “read-only” to prevent unintentional data changes.
• Preferred network modes: You can use three different networking modes depending on user needs. Shared Networking is the default and recommended network mode for virtual machines, and works “out of the box.”
  • When a Bridged Network is used, your virtual machine uses a virtualized network interface card with direct access to the Internet. A Host-Only Network utilizes a virtual subnet that is isolated from the outside world.
• Update cadence: Keep Windows Update and Parallels Tools up to date to ensure you receive the latest performance and security improvements. Schedule updates regularly or align with your IT patch cycle.

Don’t forget, host hygiene still matters for a secure VM. Utilize standard best practices, such as disk encryption, strong passwords, and verified software, to ensure that every VM remains protected.

Workflows and use cases

Parallels Desktop adapts to the way you work; whether you’re running specialized business software, testing code across environments, or teaching technical skills in a classroom.

It’s built for flexibility, performance, and simplicity on any Mac, in situations such as:

• Work: Keep your professional workflows intact without juggling multiple machines. Accountants, engineers, and designers can run Windows-only software directly on their Mac. Feel free to open apps like Excel, Teams, or industry-specific tools alongside macOS apps like Numbers or Keynote, all on one screen.
• Development and testing: Developers and QA teams use Parallels Desktop to create reproducible Windows environments for cross-platform testing. Spin up clean VMs to validate apps, check browser compatibility, or run automation frameworks in isolation. Some users may also prefer free and open source virtualization solutions for certain development or testing scenarios.
• Training and labs: Educators and IT admins rely on Parallels to deliver standardized learning environments. Reconfigure Windows VMs with specific courseware, apps, or system states, and let students reset to a clean snapshot after each session.
• Gaming: Turn your Mac into a dynamic gaming device with Windows using Parallels. While it’s possible to play many PC titles on your Mac, exceptions may exist due to certain hardware requirements and differences in the software ecosystems. Parallels Desktop currently supports DirectX graphics up to version 11 and OpenGL up to version 4.1.

Whatever your scenario, you get the right environment on the Mac you already have, without extra hardware or context switching. Select the edition that suits you and launch your next task in minutes.

IT deployment with Parallels Desktop Business

Parallels Desktop Business simplifies how IT teams deploy, manage, and secure Windows on Mac at scale:

• Centralized licensing and policy controls: Activate and manage all licenses, and create/enforce policies for actions like clipboard sharing, USB access, and network configuration across every device to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Golden image approach: To speed up deployment and reduce headaches, IT admins can use a golden image, a pre-configured VM that serves as a template for deploying multiple identical systems.
• SSO and identity: Simplify authentication and reduce password fatigue by integrating Single Sign-On (SSO) with your organization’s existing identity provider. Alternatively, admins can enforce multi-factor authentication.

Together, these controls let you ship a secure, standardized Windows experience on every Mac without slowing people down. Pair SSO integration with MFA via your IdP, roll out a golden image, and your next onboarding can go from request to ready in minutes.

Pricing and licensing overview

Here’s what you get with each edition of Parallels, and what it costs:

The good news? You can download a 14-day free trial to start exploring Parallels today

Troubleshooting

Here is a quick pit stop. If something feels slow or a device is not cooperating, these bite-sized answers cover the most common fixes.

We will walk through RAM and CPU basics, Windows 11 on Arm compatibility, USB passthrough, networking, and how VMs differ from containers and dual boot, so you can troubleshoot with confidence.

RAM and CPU allocation basics

Start modest, then scale. Standard Edition supports up to 8 GB vRAM and 4 vCPUs per VM; Pro and Business allow higher caps. Give Windows the minimum it needs to stay responsive, and leave headroom for macOS so your Mac stays fast.

If a VM feels sluggish, increase vRAM in small steps and add vCPUs only if the workload is truly parallel. More vCPUs than your Mac can spare will slow everything down.

Older app compatibility on Windows 11 on Arm

Windows 11 on Arm supports running many x86 and x64 apps through built-in emulation; however, low-level drivers and some legacy add-ins may not function properly. Test business-critical apps in a clean VM, keep a snapshot before big changes, and check the publisher’s guidance for Arm support.

If an app will not install, try the latest version, install any required runtimes, or use a lightweight Intel-based VM image on an Intel Mac if the software depends on legacy drivers.

USB and device passthrough

Most USB devices attach automatically. If a device connects to macOS instead of Windows, choose Devices, then select USB, and pick the device under your Windows VM. Install the Windows driver inside the VM when prompted.

For finicky gear, try a different port, a powered hub, or set USB compatibility to USB 2.0 in VM settings for older hardware. For smart cards and printers, ensure the vendor’s Windows drivers are installed in the VM.

Common network issues and fixes

If Windows shows no internet, switch the VM’s network from Shared to Bridged or vice versa, then reconnect. Renew the IP address inside Windows with the following commands: ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew.

VPNs and security tools can block Bridged mode. Temporarily disable the VPN, or keep the VM in Shared networking. If name resolution fails, set DNS to automatic or specify a known resolver, then retry.

Differences between VM, container, and dual boot in one-liners

A virtual machine runs a full guest operating system in a window or full screen on your Mac, isolated but integrated for files, clipboard, and devices.

A container packages apps with their dependencies for consistent runtime; on macOS, they still run inside a lightweight Linux VM, which is hidden behind the scenes.

Dual-boot installs another OS on a separate partition, allowing you to choose one OS at startup. This is faster for some workloads, but you cannot run macOS and Windows simultaneously.

Alternatives and when to choose them

Parallels Desktop is the simplest way to run Windows locally on a Mac; however, other virtualization or remote-access options are also available.

Historically, Parallels Workstation served as a professional virtualization solution for Mac and other platforms, offering high-performance features for enterprise users and standing as a robust alternative to other hypervisors.

Here’s when to consider them.

Online VMs or DaaS for elastic or remote scenarios

If you need to provision and retire virtual desktops on demand, cloud-based virtualization, often referred to as Desktop as a Service (DaaS), can offer elastic scalability and centralized management. It can be ideal for temporary or seasonal teams, or contractors who need Windows access without full local installs.

Containers for homogeneous Linux services

When you’re running identical Linux workloads, containers can be a faster, lighter option. Containers are similar to VMs, but instead of virtualizing the underlying hardware, they virtualize the host operating system, which is the OS on which the containers run. Because of their tiny footprint, containers can be booted and deployed much faster than VMs

On-premise hypervisors

A hypervisor is a software layer that creates and runs multiple isolated virtual machines (VMs) on a single piece of hardware. In environments where data locality, regulatory compliance, or low-latency performance are critical, on-premise hypervisors allow you to run workloads inside your own data center for maximum control.

Resources and next steps

Whether you’re setting up Parallels Desktop for personal use or managing it across a team, everything you need to get started and go further is right here.

New to Parallels Desktop? Begin with the Getting Started, Installation, and Setup guides to download, install, and activate your first Windows virtual machine.

For IT admins, the Business Edition deployment guide covers everything from centralized license management to policy configuration and SSO integration.

Looking for support? Explore the Parallels Knowledge Base for answers to FAQs, advanced configuration, troubleshooting tips, and best practices on VM policies, performance tuning, and security compliance.

If you need to deliver apps and desktops remotely, or enable browser-based access for contractors or remote users, discover Parallels RAS and Secure Workspace.

Choose your best-fit path

With Parallels Desktop, you can run Windows apps on a Mac with installation in minutes; no reboot required, and isolated VMs for safety and rollback.

Choose your edition: Standard for everyday users, Pro for developers and power users, and Business for IT-managed teams that require centralized control and security.

Don’t wait, start using your favorite Windows apps today with our Parallels Desktop free trial. Then, follow the quick-start guide, test your critical apps, and save a clean snapshot so you can experiment with confidence.

FAQs

What is Parallels Desktop and how does it work?

Parallels Desktop is virtualization software that lets you run Windows (and other operating systems) alongside macOS on your Mac. It creates a virtual machine (VM) so you can install Windows and use its apps without rebooting.

Do I need a Windows license to use Parallels Desktop?

Yes. Parallels Desktop provides the virtualization environment, but you’ll still need a valid Windows license to install and activate Windows inside your virtual machine.

Will running Windows with Parallels Desktop slow down my Mac?

Parallels Desktop is optimized for performance, but running macOS and Windows at the same time does use additional CPU and memory. For the best experience, check the system requirements and allocate enough RAM and storage to your virtual machine.

Can I run games and graphics-intensive apps in Parallels Desktop?

Many popular Windows apps and games run smoothly in Parallels Desktop, especially on newer Macs. Performance depends on your Mac’s hardware and the specific game or application, so very demanding titles may still work better on a native Windows machine.

Can I share files between macOS and Windows in Parallels Desktop?

Yes. You can easily share folders, copy and paste, and drag and drop files between macOS and your Windows virtual machine, so you don’t have to duplicate documents or switch devices.