Parallels Desktop for Mac
Run different OS apps without rebooting (App Store version).
Free
In English
Version 1.26.1When 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 1.26.1
Parallels Desktop for Mac App Store Edition 1.26.1 (23917) update represents a new major version of Parallels Desktop for Mac designed to be compatible with macOS Tahoe 26. It addresses the overall stability and security issues and includes the following additions and improvements:
Look and Feel
- Updates the app icon to match the default style of macOS Tahoe 26.
Windows
- Enables Windows to accurately assess the available disk space on your Mac, helping you avoid harming your Mac's responsiveness by installing overly large Windows software.
- Fixes the Parallels Tools for Windows issue that prevented virtual machines running Windows 11 23H2 from updating to 24H2.
- Fixes the issue that caused Persona 5 Royal to crash on launch in Windows 11 virtual machines.
Linux
- Introduces the new version of Parallels Tools for Linux, designed to minimize installation and kernel compatibility issues.
- Adds several updated Linux distros for quick installation on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.
- Fixes the issue that prevented virtual machines running Ubuntu 25.04 from sharing connected drives with the Mac.
- Fixes the issue that caused shared folders to appear empty on virtual machines running Fedora 41.
- Fixes the issue that prevented virtual machines running Debian 12 from connecting to the Internet after restarting the Mac.
- Fixes the issue that prevented Parallels Tools for Linux from installing correctly on CentOS 10 running on Intel Macs.
macOS (as a virtual machine)
- Introduces support for creating and running macOS virtual machines in the App Store Edition of Parallels Desktop.
What was deprecated or removed from Parallels Desktop 1.26.1
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 have been removed from Parallels Desktop for Mac 1.26.1:
- Installing Parallels Desktop on Macs running macOS Monterey 12.
- Travel mode.
- 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 1.26.1
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.