Parallels Desktop for Mac
Run different OS apps without rebooting (App Store version).
Free
In English
Version 1.20.4When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission
Parallels Desktop overview
Parallels Desktop allows you to easily run Windows, Linux, and their applications on your Mac. You don't have to reboot your Mac to switch between operating systems or when switching between Mac, Windows, or Linux applications.
Features:
- Use Mac gestures in Windows apps
- Time synchronization between Mac and Windows
- Mouse synchronization enables the mouse to move seamlessly between the Mac OS, Windows, and Linux
- Copy/paste formatted text between Mac and Windows
- Drag and drop files between Mac and Windows
- Share Mac folders with Windows-including Desktop, Documents, and Downloads-without duplication and saving precious disk space on your Mac
- Resize window to get desired Windows resolution
- 3D graphics acceleration up to DirectX® 10.1
- Use Mac printers in Windows
- Share Mac location info with Windows
What’s new in version 1.20.4
Windows
- Introduces support for using Dragon Medical One macros (step-by-step commands) in Mac apps (e.g., Epic Hyperspace).
- Fixes the issue that produced black screens when waking a Windows 11 virtual machine from sleep mode on Intel Macs.
- Fixes the issue that prevented the “Send with Windows Email App” feature from working correctly with Microsoft Outlook when attempting to send a file from your Mac using the Windows virtual machine email client.
Linux
- Fixes the issue that prevented Ubuntu 25.04 virtual machines with Parallels Tools for Linux installed from accessing files in the host Mac’s shared folders.
- Fixes the issue that caused black screens when moving app windows in Ubuntu 24.04.
What will be deprecated or removed from Parallels Desktop soon
According to statistics from users who participate in the Parallels Customer Experience program, some product features are rarely used or not at all. We have decided to either stop supporting them or altogether remove them from Parallels Desktop and focus on frequently used features and further enhancements.
Below is the list of features that are no longer supported and will be removed – **not in version 1.20.4**, but in **the next major version** of Parallels Desktop for Mac App Store Edition:
- Installing Parallels Desktop on Macs running macOS Monterey 12.
- Travel mode.
- **Free Up Disk Space** menu option. You will still be able to save space using other options.
- Synchronization of virtual machine color tags between the Parallels Desktop Control Center and macOS Finder.
- The option to install Parallels Toolbox for Windows in a Windows virtual machine using the Parallels Desktop menu.
Parallels Desktop for Mac
Free
In English
Version 1.20.4
Write a detailed review about Parallels Desktop
(6 Reviews of Parallels Desktop)
Comments
User Ratings
May 10 2025
Version: 1.10.2
MU should title this correctly: Parallels Desktop Lite, not Parallels Desktop as they have on the opening page. They are not the same! As a paid user of Parallels Desktop for Mac since version 5, it should be made clear that the "Lite" version is more of a "player" app than a full virtualization engine with all the bells and whistles. I give credit to Parallels for continuing to offer a (better, imo) substitute for VMware Fusion, and have used it over the years in a professional setting, thankful I never had to buy a Windows computer!
Oct 14 2022
Version: 1.8.0
Years ago, when overnight Parallels changed their policy from two allowable computers per user to only one, I got forced into buying another license that day so I could use it at my work location. I was livid, and swore I'd never give that company another cent. I had made a purchase under a set of terms and conditions and those mongrels simply changed them, costing me $100 or so. They could have grandfathered in existing users, but they didn't. A well deserved pox on that miserable company.
Aug 26 2021
Version: 1.7.0
What Is This Thing? --> Sorting through the confusion of this App Store version of Parallels Desktop, here are the details: (1) The actual OFFICIAL name for this version is: Parallels Desktop® App Store Edition. (2) The actual current version number really is 1.7.0, not 17.0. Beats me why! (3) Parallels WARNS: "NOTE: It is not recommended that existing Parallels Desktop for Mac users move to Parallels Desktop® App Store Edition. So IGNORE this thing unless you know you really want/need it. Get the full version instead, DIRECT from Parallels, NOT the App Store. Please. (4) So what is this thing good for? It's a 14-day DEMO only. All it allows you to do is create and edit virtual machine configurations. If you want to actually run a virtual machine, you have to SUBSCRIBE to Parallels Desktop for at least a year. (5) FYI: The cost for Parallels Desktop varies widely if you keep an eye on deals/sales on the net. If you're crafty, right place/right time, you can avoid paying full price. You're welcome.
Aug 26 2021
Version: 1.7.0
- Running virtual machines requires an in-app purchase of an auto-renewable subscription (1 year). You can cancel at any time.
- There is a fully functional 14-day trial to test Parallels Desktop before the subscription starts.