Express Windows Installation

1. Start Parallels Desktop and launch New Virtual Machine Assistant by clicking New Virtual Machine from the File menu or choosing Virtual Machines Directory from the Window menu and clicking the button in the displayed window.
2. In the Introduction window, click Continue to proceed with the virtual machine creation.
3. In the Operating System Detection window, click Skip Detection .
4. In the Select Operating System Type and Version window, select the Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows Vista guest OS and click Continue .
5. In the Virtual Machine Type window, select Express Windows and click Continue .
6. In the Express Windows Installation window, specify your user details and the Windows product key necessary for the Windows guest OS installation.

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

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

7. Define the main parameters 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 VM. 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.
   • Select the Enable file sharing option if you want to have access to your Mac home folder from your Windows virtual machine. In this case the Mac home folder will appear in the My Computer window as an independent folder.
   • Select the Enable user profile sharing option if you want to access Mac desktop objects from the virtual machine's Windows desktop. With this option enabled, Windows folders and icons will be substituted with Mac desktop folders and icons, thus, allowing you to access them from both desktops.

     Note: A number of Windows-specific icons (such as the Recycle Bin and Shared Folders icon) always remain on the Windows desktop.

     In the More Options section, you can configure the following virtual machine parameters:

   • Create icon on Desktop . Select this option if you want to create a shortcut to the virtual machine configuration file on the Mac OS X Desktop.
   • Share virtual machine with other Mac users. Select this option if you want to share this virtual machine with other users of your Mac. In this case all virtual machine-related files will be saved in the \Users\Shared folder on your Mac.
   • Location . Use the Choose button if you want to change the default location of the virtual machine-related files.

     This option also allows you to share the following user folders to Windows: Documents, Pictures, and Music. You can share all these folders or only some of them. To this effect, enable this option and go to the Shared Profile Options pane of Virtual Machine Configuration.

     

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

8. After the virtual machine is created, in the Prepare to Install Operating System window, specify the source of installation files and click Start . You can use the following types of installation media:
   • Real CD/DVD-ROM Drive . Select this option to use a disc inserted into the CD/DVD drive of your Mac. Choose the drive to use from the Drive list.
   • CD/DVD Image . Select this option to use a CD/DVD disc image connected to the virtual machine's CD/DVD drive. Type the path to the file in the File field or use the Choose button to locate the file.

     Note: Parallels Desktop 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.

     

9. After you click Start , New Virtual Machine Assistant will automatically start the new virtual machine and install the guest operating system in it. After the guest OS has been successfully installed, Parallels Desktop installs Parallels Tools.

During the unattended installation, Parallels Desktop 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.

To change the administrator password in Windows Vista:

1. Click the Start menu, then select Control Panel -> User Accounts and Family Safety -> Change your Windows password .

To change the administrator password in Windows XP (Professional Edition):

1. Click the Start menu, then select Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management .
2. In the Computer Management window, open System Tools -> Local Users and Groups -> Users . Right-click the Administrator account and choose Set Password from the context menu.

For changing the password in other versions of Windows, refer to the Microsoft Windows Help: Start -> Help and support.

Please send us your feedback on this help page