How to download and install Parallels Desktop on Mac

Before you download

Parallels Desktop is paid, with a 14-day free trial. The trial page asks for your email address. The current version needs a Mac with Apple Silicon and macOS 14.7 or later. On an Intel Mac or an older macOS, the same installer sets up an earlier version that still supports it. You also need:

• Memory. 8 GB at least, 16 GB or more for demanding Windows apps.
• Disk space. About 600 MB for the app and at least 16 GB for Windows, more as you install programs.
• Windows for Arm. Macs with Apple Silicon run the Arm version of Windows 11. Most Windows apps made for Intel PCs run in it through Windows’ own emulation, but some games and drivers don’t.

The download button here gets Parallels’ small web installer from parallels.com. It downloads the full app during installation.

How to install Parallels Desktop

1. Open Install Parallels Desktop.dmg in your Downloads folder and double-click Install Parallels Desktop.

2. Click Open when macOS asks about an app downloaded from the internet, and wait while the installer downloads Parallels Desktop.
3. Accept the license agreement and enter your Mac password when asked.
4. Sign in to your Parallels account or create one to start the trial or activate your license.
5. In the Installation Assistant, choose to get Windows 11 from Microsoft and follow the steps: Parallels downloads and installs it for you.

Windows needs its own license from Microsoft: until you activate it, Windows keeps reminding you.

What to set up after the first launch

macOS asks for each permission the first time Windows needs it. If you clicked Don’t Allow by mistake, turn it on in System Settings › Privacy & Security:

• Camera and Microphone: turn on Parallels Desktop for video calls in Windows.
• Files and Folders: allow access to Desktop, Documents and Downloads if you share them with Windows.
• Disk space. The virtual machine lives in ~/Parallels and grows as you use Windows. Parallels can reclaim unused space in the virtual machine’s settings.
• Opening at login. If Parallels Desktop starts with your Mac and you don’t want it to, turn it off in System Settings › General › Login Items.

If Parallels Desktop won’t install or start

• The installer stops with an error. Check your internet connection: the web installer downloads the app. Then download it again from Parallels’ website.
• Windows won’t start or is very slow. Check free disk space and memory: close other apps, and give the virtual machine more memory in its settings if your Mac has enough.
• Nothing helps. Remove Parallels Desktop and install it again. Your virtual machines stay: see how to uninstall Parallels Desktop on Mac.

Alternatives to Parallels Desktop

• VMware FusionFree virtual machines for personal use.
• UTMFree and open source, runs many systems.
• CrossOverRuns some Windows apps without Windows at all.