Graphics Settings

In the Graphics pane, you can view and configure the amount of video memory available to the virtual machine video card, set resolution, and more.

To open these settings, choose Actions > Configure > Hardware, then click Graphics.

VM_Configuration_Graphics

Option

Description

Memory

Use this field to set the amount of video memory that will be available to the virtual machine. Auto is recommended.

When Auto is selected, Windows may use system memory as graphics memory. If any of your Windows applications reports that it lacks graphics memory, please increase the amount of system memory within the recommended range.

Resolution

If you're working with Windows 7 or later on a Mac with a Retina display, you can choose how Windows is displayed on the screen:

  • Best for Retina display. Windows resolution matches that of the Retina display and the DPI setting increases. Windows interface elements and text are clear, sharp, and at full size. This option is supported by Windows 7 and later.
  • Scaled. Windows resolution and DPI setting don't change. Instead, Windows is scaled to full size. As a result, Windows interface elements and text are not sharp. This option is useful for Windows applications that don't support high-DPI settings and appear small onscreen.
  • Best for external displays. Use this option if you're working with Windows on multiple displays one of which is non-Retina. The option is supported by Windows 8 and Windows 10.

For Windows XP:

If you're working with Windows XP on a Mac with a Retina display, Windows becomes scaled but its resolution doesn't change. As a result, Windows interface elements and text are not sharp.

However, you can enable full (2880x1800) Retina resolution for Windows by selecting Enable Retina resolution. At such a high resolution, Windows interface elements and text become sharp but small.

3D acceleration

This menu is available for Linux virtual machines only. If you want to use games and applications that require video cards that support OpenGL, select On from the 3D acceleration menu.

For Linux guest operating systems, Parallels Desktop supports OpenGL 3.3 (Compatibility Profile).

 

In Windows virtual machines, this menu is not available because 3D acceleration is turned on by default. For Windows, Parallels Desktop supports OpenGL 3.3 (Compatibility Profile) and DirectX 10 or DirectX 11.0 - this depends on the version of macOS installed on your Mac. In macOS 10.14.4 Mojave and later, Parallels Desktop supports DirectX 11.0.

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If any of your Windows or Linux apps claims that it requires a higher version of DirectX or OpenGL, please let us know about this application on the Parallels forum. To access the forum, either click Help > Suggest a Feature or use the following direct links:

Always use high-performance graphics

This option is visible only if your Mac supports graphics switching. Select this option for better performance or deselect for better battery life.