Parallels Desktop | User's Guide

Start Windows

To use Windows applications on your Mac, Windows must be running.

The simplest way to start Windows is to open a Windows application. If Windows isn't already running when you open a Windows application, it starts automatically in Coherence mode.

You can also start Windows by doing the following:

1. Open Parallels Desktop.
2. In Control Center, click the Power Button below Windows.

   

   Note: The Control Center lists all virtual machines that are registered in Parallels Desktop. If a virtual machine is stored on an external drive and it's not connected to your Mac, the virtual machine icon is displayed as a question mark (?). To start such a virtual machine, connect the external disk to the Mac.
3. Click anywhere in the Windows window that appears.

Windows starts and you can begin using Windows applications alongside macOS.