We are thrilled to announce the release of the next round of innovations with Parallels Desktop 19 for Mac. Parallels Desktop 19 has evolved into a vital catalyst for productivity and software development, enabling Mac users to leverage the strengths of multiple operating systems without compromise. 

With over two million professionals, developers, creatives, and enthusiasts trusting Parallels Desktop to run Windows, Linux, and macOS in a virtual environment, the possibilities are endless. This release brings exciting new features that cater to a diverse range of user needs. 

Seamless compatibility with macOS Sonoma upgrade 

We understand the importance of remaining functional with continuous software upgrades. That’s why our team has focused on maintaining compatibility with the latest macOS versions. 

In macOS Sonoma 14, the software module CGPSConverter that converts PostScript files removed from macOS. As a result, the Shared Printing feature became useless as it was using this module to allow printing from Windows via printers shared from Mac. 

Printing from Windows is essential for many Parallels Desktop users. As a response, our engineers re-engineered the Shared Printing feature to use Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) which is the most popular printing method nowadays. The IPP printing brings the potential for exposing more printer-specific features to Windows that our engineers are currently exploring. 

Reflecting Apple design aesthetics 

As a Mac app, we take inspiration from Apple’s design depth. We took the time and care to ensure our approach aligns with modern macOS design guidelines. This approach is reflected in our new app icon and in-product details, demonstrating our deep integration within the macOS ecosystem. 

Integration with Mac: Touch ID for Windows sign-in 

In our ongoing quest for seamless integration, we have brought the magic of Apple’s Touch ID to Windows sign-in! This feature is not only a convenient addition but also greatly enhances the security of your virtual Windows environment. 

Professional Windows software on Mac: Improved OpenGL and more 

We are thrilled to announce that with improved OpenGL support up to version 4.1, we enable even more Windows-only CAD software to run on Mac. This update greatly benefits professionals in architecture, engineering, and design, as they can now seamlessly run their favorite software, including VariCAD, and Vectorworks Vision 2023, on their Mac. 

macOS VM on Apple silicon: Enhanced installation and control 

With this upgrade, macOS virtual machines on Apple silicon get an upgrade. We’ve improved VM installation, enabled basic VM operations like restart and shutdown, and integrated two-finger Trackpad gestures for better user control. 

Simplified work with Docker containers and Microsoft SQL on Apple silicon 

For developers who need to run x86 Docker containers or Microsoft SQL Server on a Mac with Apple silicon, we’re excited to introduce a ready-to-go Ubuntu Linux Arm VM, configured to run x86 Docker containers, powered by Apple’s Rosetta 2 technology. 

Device management: Enroll Windows to Microsoft Intune 

We recognize the importance of device management in organizations. That’s why Parallels Desktop 19 for Mac Business Edition now enables you to enroll Windows 11 in Microsoft Intune when using Parallels My Account Configuration Profiles, making administering Windows devices within your organization much easier and more efficient. 

Parallels is proud to be a Microsoft-authorized solution and we are committed to bridging the gap between macOS and your operating system(s) of choice. This latest version offers an even more seamless experience for Mac users looking to run Windows or Linux. We’re eager for you to experience the next level of Windows-macOS integration with Parallels Desktop 19. 

Learn more about the latest version of Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition.  

The post Introducing the latest innovations in Parallels Desktop 19 for Mac Business Edition: Streamlined macOS and Windows interaction appeared first on Parallels Blog.

It is now listed as an authorized solution with Microsoft Support, so you can feel confident in your own set-up as well as supporting users that need to host Arm versions of Windows 11 applications in a virtualized environment on Mac with Apple silicon. 

What does this mean for you? 

IT leaders can now enable their users to run Windows 11 on Arm with Parallels Desktop for Mac, with the assurance that Microsoft has authorized this solution.   

Whether user devices are owned and managed by the employee/contractor or the organization’s IT department, Parallels Desktop bridges the technology gap between the two operating systems by enabling a virtualized environment capable of running Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise editions as a guest operating system on Mac with Apple silicon.  

Parallels Desktop is the first solution to be authorized and listed by Microsoft, so IT leaders can feel confident in supporting users that need to host Arm versions of Windows 11 applications in a virtualized environment on Mac with Apple silicon.  

Ready to get started? Try Parallels Desktop for Mac now. 

User perspective + challenges 

Mac users are passionate about their devices, but often become frustrated when they need to access applications that are only available or perform best on Windows operating systems  

For example, how can a field engineer that prefers a Mac access a Windows-based application such as AutoCAD, Matlab, ArcGIS, or SolidWorks? Or perhaps power users of Excel or PowerPoint may prefer the Windows versions as well.  

In many environments, this means that a Windows device is required as the primary device, regardless of user preference.   

Another option is getting a second laptop. Even though laptops are small and lightweight, carrying two laptops and synchronizing files is an unnecessary hassle.   

Either way, users are not content and potentially less productive, but organizations still need to find a way for their teams to access niche applications. 

Developing in a Windows environment, on a Mac 

Similarly, how can application developers utilize their Mac devices to access a locally installed Windows 11 guest operating system for development work?   

Whether the developer is a contractor or an employee, they need to install tools such as Visual Studio or Notepad++ and/or create and test Windows code in a segregated environment.   

Especially within small enterprises, a centralized virtual machine or device may add complexity to development efforts.   

A much better alternative is to allow the user to choose their favored device type, e.g., a Mac, and enable Windows-based applications to run in a virtualized environment with Parallels Desktop.  

After installation, the Windows 11 operating system can be run in a virtualized environment by the user on a dedicated resource.  

This way both the host and guest can function independently without relying on each other, and files and system resources can be shared between macOS and Windows.   

Then, the desired Windows application(s) and tools can be installed on Windows 11, providing the best of both worlds for the end user.  

H2: Windows 11 licensing  

Licensing the Windows 11 operating system that runs on the Mac device is straightforward.   

The same volume licensing system that addresses enterprise licensing, such as Key Management Services (KMS), can be used to provide Pro or Enterprise licenses to the Windows 11 guest operating system.  

Frequently asked questions 

1. What will change for users of Parallels Desktop for Mac?

New users must download and install the latest version of Parallels Desktop to get started running Arm versions of Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise.  

Existing Parallels Desktop users can continue to use Windows without making changes to their current set-up on their devices. However, if you are not using one of the supported editions of Windows, we recommend upgrading to Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise. 

2. Do I have to purchase a new version of Parallels Desktop to access the version certified by Microsoft? 

If you run Parallels Desktop 17 or a later version, you can continue to use Parallels Desktop on Mac with Apple silicon or Apple M-series Mac with Apple silicon. 

3. Do existing users have to upgrade their Parallels Desktop SKU? 

All Parallels Desktop SKUs (Standard, Pro, Business) are supported by Parallels for users to run Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise with Apple Silicon. 

4.Do Parallels Desktop users have to purchase new Windows product keys? 

You will be able to bring your own Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise product keys if they have a key that can be used to activate Windows.  

5. How can I purchase Windows product keys if I don’t have one? 

Organizations can purchase Windows 11 through their normal Windows procurement process. Individuals can buy Windows 11 Pro through the Microsoft site.  

6.I have a working version of Parallels Desktop with Windows 11, can I continue to use it? 

Existing Parallels Desktop users can continue to use Windows without changing their current set-up on their devices. However, if you are not using one of the compatible editions, we recommend upgrading to Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise. 

7. Can I install other Windows editions? 

We recommend installing Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise. 

8. How can I get Windows for my Mac with Apple silicon now? 

End users will be able to download and install Windows 11 Pro in two simple steps with Parallels Desktop for Mac. 

IT administrators and organizations deploying Windows Enterprise will require a volume license agreement and will be able to download Windows from Microsoft. You can download this from the Microsoft 365 admin center.  

9. Are there known issues or limitations with Parallels Desktop used with Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise on Mac with Apple silicon? 

Some Windows 11 features may not be available or fully functional when running Windows 11 in a virtualized environment. Access our knowledge base to learn more. 

Ready to jump right in? Learn more about our Microsoft certification and get your free trial of Parallels Desktop!  

Recap: Parallels Desktop is the only Microsoft-authorized solution for running Windows on Mac 

The Parallels Desktop team is proud to be the only solution certified by Microsoft to run Windows on Mac, so you can be confident in choosing it for your own use as well as advising your organization, customers, or teams to use Parallels Desktop. 

Parallels Desktop empowers you with:  

• Security compliance with virtual TPM chips and Secure Boot technologies. 
• Volume license key or key-free activation in a corporate environment with Single Sign-On support and integration with leading identity providers such as Azure, Okta, and Ping Identity, among others.  
• Centralized user and license administration via the Parallels MyAccount web app. 
• The ability to mass-deploy Parallels Desktop using solutions like Apple Remote Desktop, Jamf, Microsoft Intune, and Munki.  
• The ability to provision a corporate Windows image to selected users within the organization. 
• Premium 24/7 tech support. 

The post The Ultimate Solution: Windows 11 in a virtual machine + Parallels Desktop + Mac Computers with Apple silicon appeared first on Parallels Blog.

The latest update also delivers full support for the M1 Ultra chip, allowing Mac Studio users to assign up to 128GB of RAM to a Windows 11 VM to give the system even more power. 

“Knowing that Parallels Desktop plays a critical role in enabling users to run Windows, Linux and macOS on their favorite Mac computers, our team delivers yet another solid update to polish user experience of running Windows apps with macOS Ventura’s Stage Manager, as well as to bring support for CentOS Stream 9 ARM to run on Mac computers with Apple M-series chip,” said Elena Koryakina, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Alludo. “The latest version of Parallels Desktop also simplifies migrating existing employees to a new per-user Business license to enable SSO/SAML authentication.”  

What are the top new features in Parallels Desktop 18 update 1?

Parallels Desktop 18.1 update addresses the overall stability and security issues and includes the following additions and improvements across the Standard, Pro, and Business editions: 

Parallels Desktop for Mac Standard Edition  

• Polished experience on macOS Ventura when using Windows 11 in Coherence mode with Stage Manager (new macOS 13 feature). 

• Improved graphics in Windows 11 for a multitude of OpenGL 3D applications as well as some games, including but not limited to World of Warships, Eve Online, Optuma, ANSYS Workbench 2021, Micromine, NS-1, BobCad-Cam, ACCA Edificius. 

• NEW! Added by popular demand from current Parallels Desktop users, support for CentOS Linux Stream 9 (ARM) on Mac computers with Apple M-series chips. 

Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition   

• NEW! With macOS Ventura, Parallels’ engineering team successfully delivers full M1 Ultra chip support with the ability to assign up to 128GB of RAM to a VM.  

Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition  

• Improved! This update simplifies the migration process from the regular per-device license to a new per-user license with SSO/SAML integration. For more details, check out our KB article on Parallels Desktop for Business per-user licensing. 

For more details on the fixes and improvements, visit:  https://kb.parallels.com/en/129060

New to Parallels Desktop? Check out what’s new in the latest version 18 and test it for 14 days for free! 

The post Just Released — Parallels Desktop for Mac 18.1 Update Fully Supports macOS Ventura and M1 Ultra Chip appeared first on Parallels Blog.

Engineered for the latest Apple hardware and the upcoming macOS Ventura release, with improved compatibility of Windows 11 on ARM and powerful performance and gaming updates, Parallels Desktop for Mac enables users to work (and play!) without interruptions to get more done. 

With this latest release, Parallels Desktop for Mac continues to offer end users, professionals, and enterprises the latest and greatest in technology and user experience, which has led to top rankings by trusted independent reviews sites like G2 and TrustRadius. 

Users can leverage the most advanced Windows experience on their Macs to run more than 200,000 Windows apps and classic games, and download, install, and configure Windows 11 in just one click, making setup fast and easy. They can also download a free set of ready to use Linux systems.    
 

Top new features in Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac  

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Standard Edition 

• Full support for Apple’s ProMotion display with automatic refresh rate changes and increased Apple M1 Ultra performance, allowing users to assign more RAM and CPU cores and run Windows 11 up to 96% faster on Mac Studio with Apple’s M1 Ultra chip. *  
• Enhanced Windows game play experience on a Mac. Users can now connect a game controller to their Mac, switch to Windows, and start playing, in addition to automatically sharing Xbox or DualShock Bluetooth game controllers with Windows and Linux. Enjoy a smooth Windows UI on your Mac, a higher frame rate, and much more. 
•  Improved compatibility of Intel (x86) applications when running Windows 11 on ARM, specifically when saving and reading files from the Mac disk. 
• Improved USB 3.0 to support live data streaming devices, including Elgato HD60, Startech USB 3.0 Video Capture, and more. 

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Pro Edition  

Includes all features in Standard Edition, with the following additional functionality: 

• Powerful network conditioner on Apple M1 Macs enables users to set up various network conditions for a virtual machine (VM), such as bandwidth, packet loss, and delay, similar to both Windows and Linux VMs. 
• Isolate VM network from Mac on Apple M1 Mac computers for better security and start a Minikube cluster with Parallels Desktop as a virtualization provider. 

• Ability to use network boot with Linux ARM VMs now available on Mac computers with Apple M1 chips. 
• Easily analyze an application performance on a separate VM using the enhanced Parallels plugin for Visual Studio. 

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Business Edition 

Includes all features of the Standard and Pro Editions, with the following additional functionality: 

• Convenient SSO/SAML authentication enables employees to sign in and activate Parallels Desktop with a corporate account. 
• Allow IT admins to deploy, provision, or transfer a Windows 11 VM across employees’ Mac computers.  
• Manage your Parallels Customer Experience Program participation centrally in Parallels My Account. 

How to get Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac    

Ready to get started? Here’s how to access Parallels Desktop 18: 

• If you’re an existing customer, go here to upgrade. 
• If you purchased Parallels Desktop 17, check out our Tech Guarantee to see if you qualify for a free upgrade.   
• New customer? Get your copy here. 
• Still deciding? Test drive Parallels Desktop 18 free for 14 days! 

Note: All Parallels Desktop subscriptions include complimentary concurrent subscriptions to Parallels Access and Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Windows. 

For more information, please visit parallels.com. 

* Performance measurements conducted by Parallels by collecting the PassMark9 score in Windows 11 (22000) in macOS 12 on Mac13,2. Measured with a prerelease version of Parallels Desktop 18 versus the released version of Parallels Desktop 17. The performance will vary based on usage, system configuration, and other factors. 

The post Just Released! Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac appeared first on Parallels Blog.

A leader in the virtualization space for more than 17 years, Parallels Desktop offers a power-packed release that increases productivity while addressing critical business needs across macOS and Windows. 

This release boasts more than 20 new features, is optimized for all new Apple OS and hardware, and is compatible with Intel and all Apple M1 chips. 

Users can seamlessly run over 200,000 Windows apps on Mac without rebooting, share files, folders, and content between Mac and Windows applications, and run graphics applications effortlessly without slowing users down. 
 
Here’s a quick overview of the most noteworthy features of Parallels Desktop 18:  

• Optimized for macOS Ventura (when released).  
• Built for macOS 11+ and both Intel and Apple M Series chips. 
• Developed for incredible optics with on-the-fly sync of Apple’s ProMotion display. 
• Powered to assign up to 62 GB of RAM and up to 18 CPU cores to a virtual machine (VM).  
• Created for compatibility with Intel applications in Windows on the Apple M Series Mac.  
• Improved for live data streaming.  
• Enhanced with easy sign-in using Safari. 
• Manage local and cloud folders from either Mac or Windows. 
• Future-proofed for access to the latest Windows OS. 
• Greater update and recovery options. 
• And more! 

See how MaibornWolff equipped their team’s MacBook computers with Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition

 Parallels Desktop 18 Business Edition also offers new features and functionality for enterprise teams, including:  

• Enable employees to sign in and activate Parallels Desktop with a corporate account.   
• Easy management of Windows 11, allowing IT administrators to provision, deploy, or transfer a Windows virtual machine manually across employees’ Mac computers.   
• New best practice protocols for solution deployment.  
• A centrally managed customer experience program. 

These new features add to the four core pillars of Parallels Desktop that set this solution apart from the rest: 
 
1. Hassle-free setup. Quickly identify what you need to get started and Parallels Desktop will optimize your VM settings and performance for you. Download, install, and configure Windows 11 in one click and access a free set of ready-to-use Linux systems. 
 
2. Productivity perfected. Seamlessly move and share clipboard content, files, folders, and images between Mac and Windows and leverage the feature known as Coherence to hide your Windows desktop altogether for a purely Mac aesthetic. 
 
3. First-class performance. Run hundreds of thousands of Windows apps on your Mac with near native Mac performance and enjoy classic Windows games along with Visual Studio, SolidWorks, Autodesk, and other resource-intensive apps, all without slowing the system down.  
 
4. Always up to date. Tap into timely updates to support new hardware and OS releases. Users can leverage Windows Automatic Maintenance to keep their Windows OS current. 
 
Purchasing Parallels Desktop Business Edition also includes Parallels Access and Parallels® Toolbox in perpetuity.  

• Parallels Access is the easiest way to access your computer remotely, from anywhere.
• Parallels Toolbox is a suite of over 40 productivity tools to help you tackle everything on your to-do—from cleaning your drive to taking slick screenshots. 

Ready to get started? 

Try Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Business Edition free for 14 days to see the benefits for yourself! 

The post Introducing Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Business Edition appeared first on Parallels Blog.

You might have heard the BIG news from Google about the early access release of Chrome OS Flex – a “standalone” version of Google’s OS that can be installed on both Windows and Mac computers, aka “the cloud-first operating system for PCs and Macs”.  

If you haven’t yet, check out Google’s blog post about it or this article in Macworld or go through this excellent review by Ars Technica. 

I don’t have a spare Mac or PC that I can erase to try out this new OS – and I’m guessing you probably don’t either. No problem: you can install this OS in a new virtual machine (VM) in Parallels® Desktop for Mac. Read on to learn step-by-step how to do this. Actually, using Parallels Desktop to install an OS for testing is my preferred approach. 

Chrome OS Flex is a lightweight, secure Linux-based OS that is easy for businesses to manage thanks to Google’s cloud-based management. We’re very excited about this release and, of course, want to make sure that Parallels Desktop users can get a sneak peek at it today. And yes, you can! All you need is:  

1. Mac computer with Intel processor. 

2. Parallels Desktop 17 for Mac (or newer). 

3. Google Chrome browser. 

4. 8GB + USB flash drive. 

5. Pre-configured Parallels Desktop VM template for this OS. (Download here, or use manual instructions below) 

1. Create a Bootable Media With Chrome OS Flex Installer 

1. Install the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension to your Chrome browser on macOS. 

2. Open the utility (the easiest way is via Spotlight or Launchpad) > click “Get Started” > click “Select a model from a list” > locate and select “Google Chrome OS Flex” in the manufacturer dropdown > select the product. 

3. Select the USB device and click “Continue” (the data will be erased!). 

4. Click “Create Now”. 

2. Create a VM 

1. Open Parallels Desktop Installation Assistant: File > New… 

2. Select “Install Windows on another OS…” and click “Continue”. 

3. Click “Choose Manually” > check the option “Continue without a source” and click “Continue”. 

4. In the dropdown, select Other > Chromium OS > click “OK”. 

5. Check the option “Customize settings before installation” and click “Create”. 

6. Navigate to Hardware tab > set 4096 MB of memory. 

7. Select Graphics settings on the sidebar > set “Auto” in the dropdown. 

8. Select Mouse & Keyboard on the sidebar > set the mouse option to “Optimize for games”. 

9. Scroll down the sidebar with options and select Boot Order > check “External device” and move it to the top. 

10. In the dropdown “External boot device” select the USB device that you have prepared. 

11. Close the configuration window and click “Continue”.  

12. Always allow Parallels Desktop to access the USB device. 

Note: After you’ve downloaded the pre-configured VM, simply open it in Parallels Desktop and repeat steps 9-12. 

3. Install Chrome OS Flex to the Virtual Machine 

1. Once you’ve booted the VM, click “Get Started” > select “Install CloudReady 2.0” and proceed. 

2. Wait for the installation process to be completed. 

3. Once completed, shut down the VM > open its configuration > Hardware > Boot Order > uncheck “External device” and deselect the flash drive from the dropdown. 

4. Now you have a standalone Chrome OS Flex VM. Enjoy!  

Figure 1 shows Chrome OS Flex running in Parallels Desktop on my Intel iMac. 

Don’t forget, since there are no Parallels Tools for Chrome OS Flex your mouse will be “captured” when you click in the Chrome OS Flex window on your Mac. To get the cursor back on the Mac, simultaneously hold down the control and option keys. 

That’s all, folks! Let me know your experience with the Chrome OS Flex VM here on Parallels Forums. 

The post Run Chrome OS Flex in Parallels Desktop 17 for Mac appeared first on Parallels Blog.

Parallels® Desktop for Mac is a fantastic way to run Power BI on M1 and Intel-based Mac computers. That said, because Microsoft has not yet released an official Power BI desktop for Mac, users must use Windows virtualization to run it.

Parallels Desktop for Mac supports Windows 11 on both M1 and Intel-based Mac computers, and delivers superior performance and compatibility with favorite Windows programs.

How well will Power BI run on an M1 Mac?

Before launching Parallels Desktop for Mac for M1 Macs we had more than 100,000 users test programs such as Power BI to confirm that it indeed does work on an M1 laptop. Mac applications that are originally created for Intel-based Mac computers work on Mac computers with Apple M1 chip out of the box by utilizing the Rosetta framework – a translation process that enables running Intel x86_64 applications on Apple M1 chip.  

Which version of Mac works best with Power BI?

Most users report that a minimum of 8 GB of RAM should be assigned to process data sets. We recommend Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro or Business editions since you can assign up to 128 GB of RAM to your setup.

Click here to download a 14-day free trial of Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro edition and try it for yourself!

The post How Do I Run Power BI on a Mac? appeared first on Parallels Blog.

“TPM” is not something talked about in the Mac community, so it is not surprising if you don’t know about it. However, that all changed this summer. 

In this blog post, I will present a short overview of TPM and explain why a Mac user – and, in particular, a Parallels® Desktop user – needs to know and care about TPM. 

What is TPM? 

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a specification for a chip to be added to Windows PCs. The goal of TPM is to improve security on these PCs. When a TPM chip is available and enabled on a PC, a variety of security features can be added to Windows, including: 

• BitLocker –  A full volume disk encryption feature included with Microsoft Windows. 
• Secure Boot – A security standard designed to ensure that a device boots using only software that is trusted by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). 
• Windows Hello – A set of Windows log-in technologies including fingerprint recognition and face authentication. 

Since the release of the TPM specification in 2009, more than 20 manufacturers have released certified TPM chips. Apple, of course, is not on this list. (Apple has alternate security technologies including FileVault, Touch ID, Face ID, and GateKeeper, all powered by the Apple T2 Security Chip — a secure enclave hardware chip.) 

Why should I care, and what changed in June 2021? 

In June 2021, Microsoft announced and previewed Windows 11 and included TPM as a requirement to run Windows 11, on a PC, or in a virtual machine. (Microsoft released Windows 11 on October 5^th, 2021.) 

Fortunately, Parallels Desktop added support for a virtual TPM (vTPM) in version 15, released in 2019. Like many other features in Parallels Desktop, vTPM is an implementation on the Mac of a Windows component or feature. vTPM uses several of the Apple security technologies to implement the features of TPM. As far as Windows is concerned, the Parallels virtual machine has a TPM chip, and thus Windows 11 can be installed and can be used in Parallels Desktop. vTPM was added to Parallels Desktop 15 because multiple enterprise customers needed TPM in their highly secured corporate environments, and some corporate applications require TPM support as a security requirement. The vTPM feature was not enabled by default in Parallels Desktop 15 or 16, because this feature was only needed by certain enterprise customers, and vTPM was only available in the Pro and Business Editions of Parallels Desktop. 

This is all changing due to Windows 11. 

All the editions of Parallels Desktop (Standard, Pro, Business, and the App Store Edition) starting with version 17.1.0 include the vTPM feature, and will enable vTPM by default for all virtual machines that must have it: 

• Intel-based Mac computers, for all Windows 11 virtual machines, both new and existing. 
• Apple M1-based Mac computers, for all Windows 10 and Windows 11 virtual machines, both new and existing. As Windows 10 Insider Preview Builds do expire eventually, we recommend upgrading a Windows 10 Insider Preview VM to a Windows 11 Insider Preview VM at the earliest convenience. This will also reportedly improve compatibility with “regular” (Intel-based) Windows applications. 

Consequences of enabling the TPM chip 

After adding a virtual TPM chip to a VM, Parallels Desktop creates an encrypted file within the virtual machine bundle that acts as a TPM storage. This storage must be secured, so Parallels Desktop encrypts this file using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with a 128-bit key length and puts the password in Mac System Keychain, which, in turn, is in encrypted physical storage, and only Parallels Desktop (or a Mac admin) can read the TPM password from the Mac Keychain. 

Such an implementation ensures that users don’t have to come up with a password and enter it every time they start a VM, plus we all have too many passwords to remember. Users can continue running their virtual machines as usual, up to the moment when one wants to transfer the VM to a new hardware.  

For a VM with TPM chip added, just copying the PVM bundle to a new Mac is not enough. The VM will NOT start without the corresponding record in the Mac Keychain that contains a password to decrypt the TPM file. It is not easy to copy this record to a new Mac, but it is possible. We have prepared detailed instructions on how to do it in this Knowledge Base article. 

Apart from the nuance above, virtual machines will not be affected in any other way – Windows will continue to work as usual, as well as all Windows applications.  

Here are some of the questions you might be asking: 

Because my Windows 11 VM in Parallels Desktop has a vTPM, does that mean that I can enable other Windows security features in that VM like BitLocker and fingerprint recognition? 

Yes, you can enable other Windows technologies that require a TPM. You can see the details about enabling fingerprint recognition in this blog post. 

Will an existing VM run slower after vTPM is enabled? 

No, adding a vTPM to a VM has no noticeable performance effect. 

Can I enable vTPM for my other VMs, macOS VMs, or Linux VMs? 

Yes, you can, but the vTPM feature will not be used by a macOS or Linux VM, so there is no reason to do so. The consequences listed above will still apply, even though the guest OS is not making use of the vTPM. 

The post “What is a ‘TPM’, and why should I care?” appeared first on Parallels Blog.

As the expression goes, “May you live in interesting times.”

This is such an interesting time to be a Parallels® customer: macOS Monterey release imminent, Windows 11 released on October 5^th, iOS and iPadOS 15 released, Parallels Desktop 16.5 and Parallels Desktop 17 released in 2021, Windows on ARM, TPM chips, M1 Mac computers, Intel Mac computers, high-priority security patches from Apple and Microsoft, and more – with what sometimes seems like daily changes. 

Here are just a few of the recent important points or changes: 

• Windows 11 released on October 5^th (Congrats to Microsoft!) 
• Windows 10 on ARM is no longer available from Microsoft 
• Windows 11 now requires a TPM chip, even in a VM (There are consequences of adding the TPM chip, please note, and be sure to read the vTPM section below.) 
• macOS Monterey release imminent 
• vTPM support in Parallels Desktop 16 – a Pro feature only on the Intel Mac 
• Parallels Desktop 17 vTPM support on Intel and M1, and in all Parallels Desktop 17 editions 
• Windows Insider Previews – usable or not? 

Note: Parallels Desktop 17.1.1 or newer simplifies the setup experience for Windows 11 with automatic download and installation. The process is similar to the installation on Mac computers with Intel processors. Download the latest version.

Parallels Desktop 17 Update Enables vTPM by Default 

Final changes to the system requirements for Windows 11 require a computer, both physical and virtual, with a TPM chip installed. Considering that virtual machines “will continue to work as long as the hardware requirements are met”, Parallels Desktop 17 (starting version 17.1.0) will enable the virtual TPM chip by default for all virtual machines that must have it: 

• On Intel-based Mac computers, for all Windows 11 virtual machines, both new and existing. 
• On Apple M1-based Mac computers, for all Windows 10 and Windows 11 virtual machines, both new and existing. As Windows 10 Insider Preview Builds do expire eventually, we recommend upgrading a Windows 10 Insider Preview VM to a Windows 11 Insider Preview VM at the earliest convenience. This will also reportedly improve compatibility with “regular” (Intel-based) Windows applications. 

Consequences of Enabling the TPM Chip 

After adding a virtual TPM chip to a VM, Parallels Desktop creates an encrypted file within the virtual machine bundle that acts as a TPM storage. This storage must be secured, so Parallels Desktop encrypts this file using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with 128 bits key length and puts the password in the Mac System Keychain, which, in turn, is encrypted physical storage, and only Parallels Desktop (or Mac admin) can read the TPM password from Mac Keychain. 

Such an implementation ensures that users don’t have to come up with a password and enter it every time they start a VM, plus we humans tend to forget and lose passwords. Users can continue running their virtual machines as usual, up to the moment when one wants to transfer the VM to a new hardware.  

For a VM with TPM chip added, copying the PVM bundle to a new computer is not enough. The VM will NOT start without the corresponding record in the Mac Keychain that contains a password to decrypt the TPM file. It is not quite easy to copy this record to a new Mac, but it is possible. We have prepared detailed instructions on how to do it in this article. 

Apart from the nuance above, virtual machines will not be affected in any other way – Windows will continue to work as usual, as well as all Windows applications.  

Here are Some of the Questions You Might Be Asking 

Should I install Windows 11 in Parallels Desktop? 

Most Parallels Desktop users run a VM with the latest Windows release, and that is now Windows 11, so the answer is “Yes”, you should have a Windows 11 VM. 

Should I upgrade an existing Windows 10 VM to Windows 11? 

Again, here the answer is “Yes”, for the reasons stated above. 

Should I upgrade from Parallels Desktop 16 or 16.5 to Parallels Desktop 17? 

The new features and the performance improvements in Parallels Desktop 17 are compelling reasons to upgrade. If you currently have an active subscription to Parallels Desktop, upgrading to a new version, at no cost, is one of the main benefits of a subscription, so the answer to this question is also “Yes”. 

Let us know in the forums how the Windows 11 VM in Parallels Desktop is working for you. 

The post Windows 11 in a Parallels Desktop VM: An Update appeared first on Parallels Blog.

We’re very excited to announce Parallels Desktop 17.1 Update, which now fully supports macOS Monterey as a host OS and improves the user experience when running macOS Monterey in a VM on Apple M1 Mac. 

The latest update also includes improved Windows 11 virtual machine (VM) support and stability with the introduction of Virtual Trusted Platform Modules (vTPMs) by default for all future and past Windows 11 VMs.  

“Knowing that Parallels Desktop plays a critical role in enabling users to run the latest versions of Windows on their favorite Mac device today, we’ve developed a simple solution to help all users upgrade to Windows 11 with the enablement of vTPMs by default on all Mac devices,” said Elena Koryakina, Vice President of Engineering at Parallels. “The latest version of Parallels Desktop also builds on our customers’ top requests with new gaming and 3D integrations to further enhance the user experience.” 

What Are the Top New Features in Parallels Desktop 17 Update 1? 

Easily install and update to Windows 11 VMs with automatic enablement of vTPM! 

Users of all editions of Parallels Desktop 17 (Standard, Pro & Business) will be able to run Windows 11 with the use of a vTPM added by default to meet the minimum requirements of Windows 11. Additional details can be found here in our blog post regarding the specific requirements needed when running Windows 11 on either Apple M1 or Intel-based Mac computers. 

Run macOS Monterey VMs on Apple M1 Mac with a better user experience! 

Now, Parallels Desktop 17.1 users can install Parallels Tools in a macOS Monterey VM on Apple M1 Mac and use the Copy and Paste integrated feature between the VM and the primary macOS. Additionally, the default virtual machine disk size increases from 32 GB to 64 GB.  

Play more Windows Games! 

In response to customers’ top requests, Parallels improves graphics for several Windows games including, but not limited to: World of Warcraft, Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition, Tomb Raider 3, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, World of Tanks, Raft.   

Use accelerated 3D graphics in Linux via VirGL! 

This update delivers support for VirGL in Virtio GPU which enables Linux 3D acceleration out of the box on all supported Mac computers,brings visual performance improvements,as well as use of Wayland protocol in Linux VMs. VirGL 3D graphics can be used by modern Linux VMs even without Parallels Tools being installed, however, Parallels recommends users install Parallels Tools anyway. 

Additional Useful Information for Parallels Desktop 17 Users:  

Learn more about Windows 11: How to Install Windows 11 on Mac 

Learn more about all features of Parallels Desktop 17: What’s New in Parallels Desktop 17 for Mac?  

Let us know on Facebook or Twitter which features are your favorites in Parallels Desktop 17! 

The post Just Released – Parallels Desktop 17.1 Update Fully Supports macOS Monterey and Windows 11 appeared first on Parallels Blog.