How To Install Parallels On Mac For Free

Want to give macOS Mojave a spin, but don’t feel ready to upgrade from High Sierra? You can quickly set Mojave up in a virtual machine, for free.

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Parallels makes it painless to set up virtual machines, and Parallels Desktop Lite is a free version that can make Linux and macOS virtual machines for free. Even better: this software works with the macOS Mojave Beta as of right now, meaning you can get a Mojave virtual machine set up quickly without having to deal with the command line or other nonsense.

RELATED:Everything New in macOS 10.14 Mojave, Available Now

Furthermore, via the Parallels Access Client for iPad (you can download the iPad application from the Parallels Access iTunes store page), you have the possibility to use the Windows or Mac Applications from your iPad device. Note that you must install the Parallels Access agent on your Mac first.

All you need to do is download Parallels Desktop Lite, download the Mojave beta, and then install Mojave in a virtual machine. Here’s a full guide anyway, so you can see just how it works.

Step One: Download Parallels Lite (Free)

First up you need to download Parallels Desktop Lite from the Mac App Store. It’s not hard: open the page and click the button.

That was easy, wasn’t it? Gold stars all around.

Step Two: Download macOS Movaje (But Don’t Install It)

RELATED:How to Try the macOS Mojave Beta Right Now

Next, you’re going to download the macOS Movaje Beta. Head to beta.apple.com and sign up for the Mojave Public Beta. You’ll be prompted to Enroll your Mac:

After enrolling, you’ll download a DMG file with an installer, which you should run.

Next, you’ll be prompted to download the beta from the Mac App Store. Do so.

Eventually, the Mojave installer will open.

Do not run the installer. Instead, close it by pressing CMD+Q. If you go ahead and run the installer, it will replace High Sierra on your system, and you don’t want that. You just needed to download the installer so Parallels could use it to install Mojave into a virtual machine.

Step Three: Install Mojave in Parallels Desktop Lite

Fire up Parallels Desktop Lite and create a new virtual machine.

Click the option to “Install Windows or another OS from a DVD or image file” and then click “Continue.” You should eventually see macOS Mojave as an option:

Select Mojave and then click “Continue.” You’ll be told you need to create a bootable disk image file.

Click “Continue,” and Parallels will create that image. Next, you’ll be asked where you’d like to locate your virtual machine. You can also give it a different name if you want.

Next, your new virtual machine will finally start booting up.

Eventually, you will see the installer app. Begin by choosing your language.

Next, select “Install macOS” and then click “Continue.”

This will launch the installer.

Click the arrow to continue through the process.

Select your drive, which should be lableled “Macintosh HD.” Don’t worry: this is a virtual drive, not the physical hard drive on which your regular operating system is installed. Your data is safe.

The installer will now run.

The process will take a while, but when it’s done, you’ll be ready to set up your virtual Mac.

You’ll find all of the usual macOS setup routines here, including creating your account. There’s one new thing to Mojave: choosing between a dark and light theme.

Eventually, you’ll get to the Mac desktop.

Congrats! You’ve got macOS Mojave running in a virtual machine. Enjoy testing out all the great features!

Optional: Install Parellels Tools

Virtual machines work better with Parallels Tools installed. These tools add extra virtual drivers that make your virtual Mac run better, and Parallels Tools actually works with macOS Mojave as of this writing. Click Actions > Install Parallels Tools in the menu bar of your host machine, and the installer will launch inside your virtual machine.

You’ll have to restart your virtual machine when this is done, but when you do, you’ll be able to do things like resize your virtual machine and share folders easily. Enjoy!

Install Parallels Desktop for Mac

If you are new to Parallels Desktop for Mac, download the latest version here.

If you are already a Parallels Desktop user, proceed with the next steps.

Download Windows

Starting from Parallels Desktop for Mac 14 you can easily download Windows 10 via Parallels Desktop at the first Parallels Desktop start.

Click on Parallels icon in Mac menu bar > New... > Get Windows 10 from Microsoft > Download Windows 10.

If you are running an earlier version of Parallels Desktop for Mac, visit this page to Download Windows 10 from Microsoft.

For earlier versions of Windows, please refer to retail stores or authorized online resellers, including Amazon.com.

Please note that Parallels Desktop does not include a Microsoft Windows license. If you don’t have a Windows copy, you can purchase Windows 10 from the Microsoft Online Store:

Note:visit this page if you need help to choose Windows 10 edition: Home or Pro.

Install Windows from your source

Create new virtual machine

Open Parallels Desktop.app from the Applications folder and choose File > New.

Select Install Windows or another OS from DVD or image file, then click Continue.

Select an installation media

You may install Windows from a DVD or an .iso disc image, or a bootable USB drive.

Important: Windows installation files with an .exe extension can be used only to upgrade an existing Windows virtual machine (VM). If you are performing a new Windows installation, the .exe file will not work. Please contact local retailer to request either a physical disc or an .iso image.

Installation Assistant will detect available installation media automatically for installing Windows.

You can also switch to manual mode and choose the source for Windows installation.

Enter your Windows License Key

Click Continue. Enter Windows license key for automatic Windows activation upon installation.

If you don't have a Windows license key, click Continue and then Skip. To activate Windows later follow instructions from the article.

When you are ready, click Continue.

Select how you want to use Windows

Select how you want to use Windows in Parallels Desktop for Mac Home Edition:

Productivity
Games only

And in Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro and Business Editions:

Parallels

Software development
Software testing
Design

To learn more about virtual machine profiles, visit KB 123878.

Specify a name and location

Name: You may specify a name for your virtual machine.

Location: The default location for Parallels Desktop virtual machines is /Users/username/Parallels/.

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If you want to change your default virtual machine settings select Customize settings before installation. These settings can also be changed easily after installation.

Begin the installation

Click Continue and Windows installation will begin. Once Windows is installed, launch it by opening a Windows application or by clicking the Power button in the Control Center.

Install Parallels Tools

How To Install Parallels On Mac For Free

The first time Windows starts, Parallels Tools will be installed to allow seamless operation between Windows and macOS. Please do not cancel or stop the installation process. Once the Parallels Tools are installed, you will be prompted to restart Windows.

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Other ways to create a Windows virtual machine

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It is possible to create a Windows virtual machine by:

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Troubleshooting

If you have any problems installing Windows from a DVD, or if you don't have a DVD drive, you can use another drive to create an .iso image and install from that. For instructions, see KB 4917: How to create an .iso image from a Windows installation DVD.