Using Parallels Explorer

Parallels Explorer - is a tool for browsing through and organizing the contents of your Parallels (and other) virtual machines in Mac OS X. With it, you can view and change data inside a virtual machine without starting it. Also, you can exchange files and folders between Mac OS X and a powered off virtual machine. By using Parallels Explorer, you can save time and computer resources on routine operations, such as moving files between Mac OS X and a virtual machine.

Also you can use Parallels Mounter – a specially designed utility for browsing your virtual machines and virtual hard disks directly in Finder. Parallels Explorer and Parallels Mounter are provided as a part of the Parallels Desktop package and don't require separate installation. You can find Parallels Explorer in the /Applications/Parallels folder on you Mac.

Using Parallels Explorer

To start Parallels Explorer:

1. Click Finder, open the /Applications/Parallels folder.
2. Double-click the Parallels Explorer icon.

When Parallels Explorer starts, it automatically detects all Parallels virtual machines, except Boot Camp-based virtual machines, on your Mac OS hard disk and displays them in the working area.

The Parallels Explorer interface is similar to that of the Mac OS Finder. You can work in multi-window mode, which is useful when you browse several virtual disks, change the appearance of Parallels Explorer window by switching between Icon, Tree, and Column view modes.

To browse the contents of virtual machines:

1. Click Virtual Machines in the sidebar.
2. In the working area, double-click the .pvs file for the virtual machine.
3. If the virtual machine has multiple volumes, then double-click the volume to explore.

To browse the contents of virtual disks:

1. Click Virtual Disks in the sidebar.
2. In the working area, double-click the .hdd file.

With Parallels Explorer you can copy, paste, delete and rename files and folders. Also, you can open some types of files without starting a virtual machine. To manage files and folders in Parallels Explorer you can use either the shortcut menu which appears when you right-click an item, or the Edit menu commands.

Note: If you copy files to a Windows virtual machine using Parallels Explorer or Parallels Mounter, you need to log in to Windows as an administrator to be able to open them inside the virtual machine.

Using Parallels Mounter

1. Locate the virtual machine's PVM file in Finder.

   The default path for storing Parallels virtual machines is /Users/<UserName>/Documents/Parallels/.

2. To mount the hard disk of a particular virtual machine, right-click this virtual machine's PVM file and choose Open With > Parallels Mounter from the shortcut menu.

   Note: If you choose the PVM file of a virtual machine that has several virtual hard disks, all its volumes will appear as mounted in Finder.

   If you want to mount a single virtual hard disk, double-click its HDD file to mount it with Parallels Mounter. The icons for the selected hard disk or virtual machine volumes appear in the sidebar of the Finder window, together with other Mac OS X icons.

3. To browse the contents of a volume, click its icon in the sidebar of the Finder window.

   You can manage the virtual machine files just as you manage your Mac OS X files in Finder windows.

   Note: If you are browsing the contents of a suspended virtual machine in Finder, you cannot delete, move, or otherwise modify its files.

4. To unmount the volume, use the Eject button next to the disk icon.

   Note: If a hard disk that has several volumes was mounted, and you want to open it or the virtual machine using it in Parallels Desktop, you should disconnect its volumes one by one by clicking the Eject button.

For more information about Parallels Explorer and Parallels Mounter, refer to Parallels Explorer User Guide.

Please send us your feedback on this help page