Open a Windows Application

Opening a Windows application is as easy as opening a Mac application. Here are several ways to open Windows applications:

  • From the Windows Applications folder in the Dock
  • From the Windows Start menu
  • From the macOS Finder
  • From the Dock
  • Using Spotlight searching
  • Using Launchpad

Note: All Windows application icons can be easily identified by the Parallels Desktop symbol in the lower-right corner of the icon.

Windows Applications Folder

This folder is available in the macOS Dock and contains all your Windows applications. As you install more applications, they are automatically added.

PD_Windows_Applications_folder

To open a Windows application using the Windows Applications folder:

  • Click the folder, and then choose a application.

To add the Windows applications folder to the Dock:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click the Parallels icon in the menu bar and choose Configure.
    • If the Parallels Desktop menu bar is visible at the top of the screen, choose Actions > Configure.
  2. Click Options and then click Applications.
  3. Be sure Share Windows applications with Mac is selected, and then select Show Windows applications folder in Dock.

Windows Start Menu

To open a Windows application from the Start menu:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click the Parallels icon in the menu bar and choose Windows Start Menu.

      PD_Start_menu

    • If Windows is in Full Screen or Window mode, open the Start Menu as you normally would.

      Note: You can also Control-click or Right-click the Parallels icon.

  2. Click the application you want.

Application Icon in the Dock

When you open a Windows application, its icon appears in the macOS Dock at the bottom of the screen. By default when you close the application, the icon disappears from the Dock. Keeping a application's icon in the Dock provides a quick way to open the application anytime.

To keep a Windows application's icon in the Dock, do one of the following:

  • Right-click or Control-click the Windows application icon in the Dock and choose Keep in Dock from the shortcut menu.
  • Drag the application's icon from the Finder to the Dock.

Now you can open the application again anytime by clicking the icon in the Dock.

Spotlight

You can search for and open Windows applications using Spotlight:

  • Click the Spotlight icon in the upper-right corner of your screen, or press Command-Space bar on your keyboard. Then type the name of the application and select it from the list.

Launchpad

You can see a full screen display of all your Windows applications and Mac applications using Launchpad. Just click the Launchpad icon (looks like a rocket) in the Dock. You can then click any macOS application to open it. To open a Windows application, click the Windows folder and then click the application you want.

Note: The Windows folder is available in Launchpad only if sharing Windows applications is enabled.

To move a Windows application from the Windows folder to a main Launchpad page, do one of the following:

  • From Launchpad, click the folder containing your Windows applications and drag a application to the Launchpad icon in the Dock.
  • Start the Windows application you want, right-click its icon in the Dock, and choose Add to Launchpad.

To remove a Windows application from Launchpad, start the application, right-click its icon in the Dock, and choose Remove from Launchpad.
Top of page