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Create a Windows Image

Download the Windows ISO image and create a Parallels Desktop Windows image

First, you need to download a Windows 10 ISO disk image to your Chromebook. Windows 10 is available for download from Microsoft at the following location:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Download the image to the Downloads folder on the Chromebook. Do not create subfolders, the image must reside in the root Downloads folder.

To create a Parallels Desktop Windows image, open Chrome browser and press Ctrl+Alt+T to open the crosh terminal. In the terminal, type the following command:

vmc create -p PvmDefault <filename.iso>

where

  • PvmDefault is the default image name. Type it as it appears here.
  • <filename.iso> is the name of the Windows ISO disk image file. This must be just the file name with no path. The file must reside in the root Downloads folder.

For example:

vmc create -p PvmDefault Win10_English_x64.iso

The command above will create a Parallels Desktop Windows image named "PvmDefault" and mount the Windows 10 ISO disk image named "Win10_English_x64.iso" in it.

Wait until the command completes executing. You should see a text message that the command executed successfully.

Run Windows Setup

You can now start the Parallels Desktop Windows image, which will launch Windows Setup . To do so:

  1. In the Chrome browser, press Ctrl+Alt+T to open the crosh terminal.
  2. In the terminal, type the following command:

    vmc start PvmDefault

  3. Windows will start in its own window and you'll see the Windows Setup screen. Follow the onscreen instructions and install Windows as you normally would.

After Windows is started for the first time, the first thing that you should do is install Parallels Tools. This is a very important step in order to provide the best experience to your users. See below for instruction.

Install Parallels Tools

Parallels Tools is a collection of drivers and utilities which are installed in Windows to allow seamless operation between Windows and Chrome OS. Parallels Tools help users to operate Windows in the most comfortable and efficient way. For example, users will be able to change Windows screen resolution simply by resizing its window in Chrome OS, access user Windows folders in Chrome OS, copy and paste in both directions, and more. Installing Parallels Tools is highly recommended and is essential for providing the best possible user experience.

The Parallels Tools package is connected to the virtual CD in Windows from where the installer can be executed as follows:

  1. Click the File Explorer icon on the Windows taskbar > This PC > Locate Parallels Tools CD drive. Then double-click on it to launch the Parallels Tools installer.
  2. If the installer doesn't start, right-click on Parallels Tools CD, choose Open , locate the Autorun.exe file and double-click it to launch the installation.
  3. If Parallels Tools are still not present, you can go to the ellipsis menu (in the upper right of the window), choose Troubleshooting and select Install Parallels Tools or Reinstall Parallels Tools .

When Parallels Tools are installed, restart Windows to complete the installation. You can now install Windows applications required by your organization. Make sure you set up a volume license for Windows and other third party software.

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