In this post I will take you through my experience using a virtual machine, Parallels Desktop to run Microsoft Windows 10 on your Mac. I will show you how to install Parallels on Mac before you can add new operating systems. Then, We will describe how to set up Windows 10 on your Mac that has Parallels installed. At the end of this article, We will talk about our experience using Windows on our Mac along with Parallels.
If you choose not to use Parallels Desktop for virtualization software, you can try other virtual machines such as VMware Fusion or VirtualBox. Or you can use Boot Camp to run Windows without the performance penalty that comes with virtual machines. Please see our previous review on Windows on Mac: Using Boot Camp or Virtual Machine? to compare these two methods.
Install Parallels Desktop on MacBook
Installing Parallels on your Mac is not difficult, just like adding a new program to your Mac. Up to this point, We assume you have a DMG package of Parallels Desktop. If not, you can Parallels Desktop from its website. You can try the trial version of Parallels before you decide to use it. Our Parallels Desktop and Mac OS X versions are 7 and 10.8.2 (Mountain Lion) respectively. OK, here is 7 steps to add Parallels on your Mac.
- Double-clicking the DMG package of Parallels Desktop icon launches the Parallels Desktop Installer and displays the introduction page. Click Continue.
- Read the agreement, click Continue, and click Agree.
- Select a Destination screen will display. Do not make any changes; simply click Continue.
- The Authenticate window may appear asking for your user name and password. Enter the same name and password that you use to log onto your Mac computer. Click OK, and click Install.
- Parallels will begin installing. While Parallels Desktop for Mac installs, the progress bar screen will display, which indicates the progress already made and the approximate time remaining.
- After the installation is complete, a Finder window containing six items will display. Double-click the Parallels Desktop icon to launch the application.
- Done! You are now ready to set up a virtual machine!
At the end of this post, you can download this instruction.
Setup Windows 10 on MacBook Using Parallels
At this point, you have the virtualization program Parallels Desktop installed on your Mac. Now we need to set up a virtual machine. Here are 5 steps to set up a virtual machine for Windows 10 on your Mac.
Start Parallels Desktop and click Install Windows or another OS from DVD or image file, then click Continue.
- Double-clicking the Parallels Desktop icon and launches the OS Installation Assistant.
- Click Install Windows or another OS from DVD or image file, then click Continue.
- Then, Parallels wizard will detect the installation media automatically.
- Enter your Windows product key and leave Express installation selected.
- Choose your virtual machine (this can be whatever you want) or accept the default name, which is the name of the OS being installed. Click Next.
- Provide a name (and change location if needed) for Windows 10 on your Mac.
- Start the Windows Installation and relax. Follow the Windows 10 installer instructions to continue.
In summary, to install Windows on MacBook with a virtual machine you need to:
- Download virtual machines: Parallels, VMware, or VirtualBox.
- Install a virtual machine on your Mac system.
- Setup Windows from a virtual machine that you already installed.
- Follow Windows setup instructions.