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Installing Parallels Desktop

If you purchased Parallels Desktop from the Parallels online store, download the latest build from Parallels Download Center. When the download is complete, open the Switch to Mac DMG package file. To start the installation, double-click Install.

If you purchased a boxed copy of Switch to Mac, insert the Switch to Mac installation disk into the optical drive of your Mac. Open the Switch to Mac DMG package and double-click Install.

  1. Parallels Desktop will connect to the Parallels update server and check for available updates. If there is a newer version of Parallels Desktop available, you will be offered to install the most recent version of Parallels Desktop. If you do not want to install the most recent version, you may choose to install the version from the installation media.

    New Version

  2. In the Welcome window, click Continue.
  3. In the Important Information window, read the product Read Me file. Click Print to print the document or Save to save it for future reading. When finished, click Continue.

    Installing Parallels Desktop

    Note: You can return to the previous steps by clicking the Go Back button.

  4. In the Software License Agreement window, carefully read the license agreement. We recommend to print the license agreement for your records using the Print button or to save it for future reading using the Save button. When you are ready, click Continue.

    Installing - License

    In the pop-up dialog, click Agree if you agree with the terms and conditions of the license agreement.

  5. In the Customer Experience Program window, read about the Parallels Customer Experience Program and click Continue.

    In the pop-up dialog, click Yes if you want to participate in the program. If you don't want to participate, click No.

    Note: If you choose not to participate, you may join the program later using the Feedback pane of Parallels Desktop Preferences.

  6. In the Select a Destination window, select the hard disk where to install Parallels Desktop. You can install Parallels Desktop only on the boot volume, that is the hard disk where Mac OS X is installed. Other disks, if any, are unavailable for selection. Click Continue.

    Note: If you have only one volume on your Mac, this step is omitted.

    Installing - Select Destination

  7. Click Install to start the Parallels Desktop installation.
  8. Enter your password when prompted and click OK.
  9. The installation progress is shown in the Installing Parallels Desktop window.
  10. The Installer informs you that the installation was successful. To complete the installation, click Close.

After the installation, you can launch Parallels Desktop from the Applications folder on your Mac. The Parallels Desktop add-ons like Parallels Transporter, Parallels Explorer, and Parallels Image Tool are available from the /Applications/Parallels/ folder.

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