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Express Windows Installation Mode

  1. Start Parallels Management Console and launch New Virtual Machine Wizard by choosing New from the File menu.
  2. In the Select Operating System Type and Version window, select the Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 guest OS and click Next.
  3. In the Virtual Machine Type window, select Express Windows and click Next.
  4. In the Name and Location window, define the name and location for your virtual machine:
    • Name. Indicate an arbitrary name to be assigned to the virtual machine. By default, the virtual machine gets the same name as the operating system that will be installed inside this virtual machine. If a virtual machine with such a name already exists, you will be prompted to indicate another name. The name must not exceed 50 characters.
    • Location. Use the Choose button if you want to change the default location of the virtual machine-related files.

      Installing Windows Express

    Click Next.

  5. In the Express Windows Installation window, specify your user details and the Windows product key necessary for the Windows guest OS installation.

    Note: If you do not enter the Windows product key in this step, you will have to provide it later when the Windows guest OS installation starts.

    If you are installing a 64-bit version of the guest operating system, select 64-bit Windows version.

    If you click the Advanced button, you can set the number of CPUs and the amount of RAM to your future virtual machine.

    Click Create.

  6. When the virtual machine is created, in the Prepare to Install Operating System window, specify the source of installation files and click Start.

    Select the installation source in the Placement list. Choose Physical Server if your source installation files are located on the Parallels server or choose Client Computer if the source installation files are located on the physical computer where Parallels Management Console is installed. If Parallels Management Console is installed on the Parallels server, in the Placement list, you will be able to choose only Physical Server.

    Specify the path to the source installation files. If you want to use a disc inserted into the CD/DVD drive of the computer, choose this drive from the Source menu. If you want to use a CD/DVD disc image connected to the virtual machine's CD/DVD drive, click the Source menu and use Choose an image file to locate the file.

    Note: Parallels Management Console does not provide users with OS ISO images or OS installation discs. You should purchase an OS installation disc or an OS ISO image if you do not have any.

    Choosing Installation Media

  7. After you click Start, New Virtual Machine Wizard will automatically start the new virtual machine and install the guest operating system in it. After the guest OS installation, Parallels Management Console will install Parallels Tools in the virtual machine.

During the unattended installation, Parallels Management Console creates an administrator account with a blank password. When the guest OS installation is complete, we recommend that you change the password in order to protect the safety of your data. For detailed information on changing the administrator's password, please refer to the documentation shipped with your Windows guest operating system.