How to Transfer a Windows PC to Parallels Desktop on Mac

Edited 6 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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For many users switching from Windows to Mac, running Windows applications on macOS can be important for continuity and convenience. Parallels Desktop for Mac is a powerful solution that allows running Windows alongside macOS. This comprehensive guide explains how to transfer your existing Windows PC to Parallels Desktop on your Mac.

Introduction

When you buy a new Mac, you may wonder how you'll continue to access certain Windows applications. Parallels Desktop makes it possible to run Windows-based software on a Mac without compromising functionality or performance. The process involves transferring your existing Windows operating system from your PC to Parallels Desktop on your Mac, which essentially virtualizes the Windows environment.

Prerequisites

Before you begin the transfer process, make sure you have the following:

• A Windows PC that you want to transfer to.
• A Mac with Parallels Desktop installed.
• An external storage device or a network connection if you choose network transfer.
• The license for the Windows OS you are transferring, as you may need to reactivate Windows after the migration.
• Updated software versions for Windows and Parallels Desktop.

Step 1: Install and set up Parallels Desktop

First, if you haven't done so already, you'll need to download and install Parallels Desktop on your Mac. To do this, visit the Parallels website, download the appropriate package, and follow the installation instructions provided by the installer. After installation, Parallels Desktop will usually prompt you to create a new virtual machine or migrate an existing computer system.

Step 2: Prepare your Windows PC

Before starting the transfer process, it is important to prepare your Windows PC:

1. Backup your data: Make sure all the important data on your Windows PC is backed up to an external hard drive or cloud storage. This is a precautionary measure to ensure you don't lose any important files during the migration process.
2. Free up space: Make sure your Windows PC has enough free space available. This will make the process easier and faster. Delete unnecessary files and programs to make more space.
3. Digital Licenses: List software programs and their licenses that you might need to reinstall or reactivate on your Mac in the future.

Step 3: Migrate using the parallel transfer method

Parallels Desktop offers several options for moving your Windows PC to your Mac. We will discuss the two most common methods:

Option A: Network transfer

This method requires that both your Mac and Windows PC are on the same network.

1. On your Mac, open Parallels Desktop. Choose File > New, and then choose PC to Windows Transfer.
2. Parallels will prompt you to download Parallels Transporter Agent on your Windows PC. Install this application.
3. Run Parallels Transporter Agent on your Windows PC.
4. Select Transfer via network and follow the on-screen instructions to authorize the connection.
5. On your Mac, follow the instructions in Parallels Desktop to complete the migration.

Option B: External storage device

For this method, you will need a storage device, such as an external hard drive, that has enough capacity to hold your Windows system and files.

1. Connect your external storage device to your Windows PC.
2. Download and install Parallels Transporter Agent on your Windows PC.
3. Run the Parallel Transporter Agent and select transfer to external storage.
4. Copy the Windows environment to your external storage device following the Transporter Agent instructions.
5. Once the transfer is complete, connect the external storage device to your Mac.
6. Open Parallels Desktop and choose File > New, then choose Transfer from External Device.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete setting up your virtual machine.

Step 4: Configure the Windows virtual machine

After successfully transferring your Windows PC, you need to configure the virtual machine in Parallels Desktop:

1. Launch Parallels Desktop, and start your new Windows virtual machine.
2. Parallels Tools, a suite of utilities designed to improve virtual machine performance, should install automatically. If they don't, go to Action > Install Parallels Tools. This step ensures better integration with macOS, improving functions like copy-paste and drag-and-drop.
3. Reactivate your Windows OS and other essential applications using your license.
4. Adjust settings like display resolution, sharing options between macOS and Windows, and set your preference for full screen or windowed mode in Parallels.

Step 5: Testing and final adjustments

Once your Windows virtual machine is up and running, you’ll want to test its functionality:

1. Open several Windows applications to make sure they are working properly.
2. Access your files, verify they are safe and available.
3. Test integrations such as shared folders and gateway connections between macOS and Windows.

If you run into any problems, review the Parallels documentation or contact their support team for assistance.

Conclusion

Transferring a Windows PC to Parallels Desktop on a Mac involves several steps, including preparing your existing system, choosing a transfer method, and properly setting up and testing your virtual machine. By following these instructions, you can continue to use your Windows applications on a Mac environment, and enjoy the best of both worlds. Remember that keeping both systems updated is important for performance and security.

Additional tips and tricks

• Update both macOS and Windows regularly to ensure compatibility and security.
• Use Parallels Desktop preferences to optimize performance, such as adjusting CPU and memory allocation settings.
• Use virtualization options like Coherence mode to run Windows applications directly from the macOS desktop.
• Remember to regularly back up data from both macOS and virtual machines to avoid loss.

By following this guide, users can successfully transition from a Windows PC to running Windows on Parallels Desktop while using a Mac. This virtualization approach provides flexibility, allowing access to features of both operating systems and applications specific to each.

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