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Installing Parallels Desktop

Before installing Parallels Desktop make sure that your computer meets the hardware and software requirements .

If you purchased Parallels Desktop from the Parallels online store, download the latest build from Parallels Download Center . When the download is complete, open the Parallels Desktop DMG package file. To start the installation, double-click Install .

If you purchased a boxed copy of Parallels Desktop, insert the Parallels Desktop installation disk into the optical drive of your Mac. Open the Parallels Desktop DMG package and double-click Install .

  1. Parallels Desktop will connect to the Parallels update server and check for available updates. If there is a newer version of Parallels Desktop available, you will be given the option to install the most recent version of Parallels Desktop. If you do not want to install the most recent version, you can choose to install the version from the installation media.

    PD6_New Version Available

    • If you click Install current , Parallels Desktop will be installed from the installation media.
    • If you click Download and install new version , the latest version of Parallels Desktop will be downloaded and installed on your Mac.

    If there is no update available or your Mac is not connected to the internet, Parallels Desktop will be installed from the current installation source.

  2. In the Welcome window, click Continue .
  3. In the Important Information window, read the product Read Me file. Click Print to print the document or Save to save it for future reading. When finished, click Continue .

    PD6_Install_Release Notes

    Note: You can return to the previous steps by clicking the Go Back button.

  4. In the Software License Agreement window, carefully read the license agreement. We recommend to print the license agreement for your records using the Print button or to save it for future reading using the Save button. When you are ready, click Continue .

    PD6_Install_License

    In the pop-up dialog, click Agree if you agree with the terms and conditions of the license agreement.

  5. In the Customer Experience Program window, read about the Parallels Customer Experience Program and click Continue .

    In the pop-up dialog, click Yes if you want to participate in the program. If you don't want to participate, click No .

    Note: If you choose not to participate, you may join the program later using the Advanced pane of Parallels Desktop Preferences .

  6. In the Select a Destination window, select the hard disk you would like to install Parallels Desktop. You can install Parallels Desktop only on the boot volume, that is the hard disk where Mac OS X is installed. Other disks, if any, will be unavailable for selection. Click Continue .

    Note: If you have only one volume on your Mac, this step is omitted.

  7. Click Install to start the Parallels Desktop installation.
  8. Enter your password when prompted and click OK .
  9. The installation progress is shown in the Installing Parallels Desktop window.
  10. The Installer informs you that the installation was successful. To complete the installation, click Close .

After the installation, you can launch Parallels Desktop from the Applications folder on your Mac.

Related Topics

System Requirements

Advanced Preferences