While Parallels can run just about any operating system in a virtual machine, its primary purpose is letting Mac users run Windows applications. For that use case, last year's Parallels Desktop 11. Parallels solutions enable seamless delivery of virtual desktops and applications to any device, running Windows on a Mac, Mac management with Microsoft SCCM, and remote access to PC and Mac computers from any device.
- Windows Creators Or Windows Anniversary For Parallels Mac Review
- Windows Creators Or Windows Anniversary For Parallels Mac Desktop
- Windows Creators Or Windows Anniversary For Parallels Mac
Symptoms
After installing Windows 10 April 2018 Update the Windows virtual machine doesn't boot.
- Now that it’s impossible to clean install Windows 10 Creators Update on Mac using Boot Camp Assistant, Apple suggests you perform a clean install of Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) and then use the Update Assistant or Media Creation Tool to upgrade to Windows 10 Creators Update if you wish to install Windows 10 Creators Update on your Mac.
- Parallels Desktop is a Mac application that allows virtualizing the Windows OS on any Mac. Like the VirtualBox for Windows, the Parallels Desktop also is a virtualization software where you could install the Windows or its applications seamlessly.
Workaround 1
To apply this workaround it's required to access Windows interface.
The easiest way to apply this workaround is through using Safe Mode by following the instructions from the article How to boot Windows virtual machine into Safe Mode?
In case of troubles of accessing the Safe mode, it's possible to use the procedure described in the second part of the article (Workaround 2).
Once Windows is loaded proceed with the instructions below:
- Click on the Start menu and start typing Control, then click on the suggested item Control Panel Desktop app
- In the appeared Control Panel window, in the Search field on the right pane type Power (1) and then click on the suggested item Change what the power buttons do (2)
- In the appeared window click on Change settings that are currently unavailable
- Disable Turn on fast startup (recommended) (1) option and then click Save Changes button (2)
- Restart the Windows 10 virtual machine to apply these changes.
Workaround 2
- Start the Windows 10 virtual machine and wait until it completes loading and wait up to 30 minutes.
The reason behind these actions is that Windows could finish performing background maintenance resulting in the issue resolution. - If the first step hasn't helped, from the top menu bar select Actions> Stop, once prompted, click the Stopbutton.
- Start the Windows 10 virtual machine again and wait up to ~30 minutes.
If steps provided above didn't resolve the issue, proceed further and perform steps outlined below:
- Make a manual backup of the VM (if not enough room on Mac, take a snapshot via Actions > Take Snapshot).
- Start Windows 10 and right after go to Actions > Reset.
- Repeat reset procedure 2-3 times until Windows shows 'Preparing Automatic Repair' (unfortunately, this is now the easiest way to get to safe mode).
NOTE: The most effective way would be to do it when Windows is loading system files, when a spinning indicator with Windows logo is shown. - Wait until Windows shows 'Automatic Repair' dialog. Select 'Advanced options' > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > click 'Restart' > press '4' or F4 on keyboard.
- Make sure Windows is booted to safe mode. A corresponding notification is displayed in each corner of the Windows virtual machine screen.
- Take another snapshot.
- Right-click on Windows taskbar > select Task Manager > navigate to Startup tab > disable all 3rd-party software except Microsoft and Parallels publishers.
- Restart Windows. Check if Windows is booted to normal mode successfully.
- If yes, then one of the 3rd-party programs causes Windows boot issue. Revert to snapshot to safe mode and disable one 3rd-party program at a time and reboot to check. Once the conflicting software is determined, contact the program development/support for further troubleshooting. Additionally, a name of the program can be shared on Parallels forum. By sharing the program name you'll help other affected people to resolve the issue. If a lot of people contact the same vendor/manufacturer with a similar issue it would be easier to prioritize the issue resolution.
- If Windows yet does not boot even after disabling all 3rd-party programs, use system restore points to recover Windows (Wait until Windows shows 'Automatic Repair' dialog. Select 'Advanced options' > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore). You can also reset Windows as a last resort option ('Reset this PC' at 'Troubleshoot' section).
Many Mac user’s will gladly let you know why they believe Mac OS X is far superior to Windows, and they wont stop telling you for quite some time. For some user’s, however, having a virtual Windows system installed within OS X can be quite handy.
There are various reasons why running Windows virtually is a good idea:
- Run Windows programs without needing to reboot.
- Use both OS X and Windows at the same time.
- Adds the ability to run Windows only applications.
- No need to download and install potentially troublesome Windows drivers
Installing Windows virtually is actually really easy on a Mac, much easier than installing it on a separate hard drive partition. All you’ll need is a copy of Windows and some software capable of running Windows virtually. One such piece of software is Parallels, it’s easy to use and well priced, so we’re going to explain the process using this app today.
We’ll cover two of the three ways to install windows using Parallels. Firstly, using a Windows DVD/USB installer and secondly, running Windows through a Boot Camp install.
Install Parallels
The first thing you’ll need to do is install Parallels, you can find it here. Installation is easy, just download the file and follow the instructions on screen.
You’ll also need a copy of Windows, that could be a DVD packaged with serial key, or a USB restore device with an accompanying serial key. You can also migrate from a PC or use your Windows Boot Camp partition.
With these things you’re now all set to install Windows virtually, first we’ll look at doing this with traditional install media such as a DVD.
Installing Windows using Parallels from a DVD or USB drive
Ok, so you have a Windows DVD or USB drive, perfect, lets get to it:
- Load up Parallels in OS X.
- Select ‘Install Windows or another OS from a DVD or image file’
- Parallels will now scan for your DVD, USB drive or mounted ISO. It should automatically find it and start installation, if it doesn’t then select ‘Find Manually’ and follow the instructions on screen to locate your DVD, USB drive or mounted ISO. Next click ‘continue’.
- You will now be asked to enter your product key, do this, or de-select ‘This version requires a product key’ if your version of Windows does not require one. Again, click ‘Continue’. We recommend you leave ‘Express installation’ ticked, unless you know exactly what you’re doing.
- Next, select what you primarily use Windows for. Again, click ‘Continue’.
- Now you will be prompted to create a name for your virtual Windows system and designate where it will be stored. We recommend you leave ‘Customise settings before installation’ un-ticked unless you know what you’re doing. Again, click ‘Continue’.
- Parallels will now create your Virtual Windows Machine.
- You will now see the Windows installer appear within a Parallels window. Install Windows as normal and enjoy your virtual machine with no need to set up extra drivers.
Enjoy!
Installing a virtual Windows machine using Parallels from a pre-installed Boot Camp partition
If you’re using this method, you’ve already done all the hard work by installing Windows on a Boot Camp partition. Here’s how to use that partition within Parallels to run OS X and Windows at the same time:
- Install Windows on your Boot Camp partition.
- Load up Parallels in OS X.
- Select ‘Use Windows from Boot Camp’.
- You’ll now see a message about potential Windows application re-activation, if you’re happy with this, tick the box and continue.
- Parallels will now create a virtual Windows machine using your Boot Camp drive, no extra set up required.
Enjoy!
CPU, RAM & VRAM allocation in Parallels
Windows Creators Or Windows Anniversary For Parallels Mac Review
It is possible to manually adjust the amount of CPU cores, RAM & VRAM you allocate to your virtual Windows machine in Parallels. Below are our general recommendations for carrying out basic tasks:
- CPU Cores: 2 cores (or 1 if you are using a dual core system).
- RAM: 2GB (or 1GB if you have 4GB or less).
- VRAM: Half of total. At least 512MB is recommended if you are using an external monitor.
If you are looking to do more serious computing in Windows you will need to increase resource allocation, or run Windows natively on a separate HDD or HDD partition.