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How do I install Parallels Tools on my Mac OS X Intel system?

I've been running with Parallels for a while on my new Mac Intel system, and am really happy with it. But I really wish I could cut and paste between the Windows apps and the Mac apps, wish it would sync to the correct time, and so on. Is there some sort of Parallels equivalent to the old VMware "helper apps" that you'd install within the guest operating system? I'm running Windows XP.

Dave's Answer:

There is indeed a helper application that you really do need to install if you're running Parallels Desktop on your Intel Mac system, called, ingeniously enough, Parallels Tools.

To install it, start up Parallels Desktop on your Mac OS X system (if you don't yet have this Intel Mac only tool, you can get a working demo copy of Parallels online: download the Parallels demo). You'll need to have configured your virtual OS to include support for a CD/DVD drive, then log in to Windows XP as an administrator. If you don't know what I mean, you probably are the admin for the WinXP system!

Now you'll want to select "Install Parallels Tools..." from the VM toolbar that's part of the Mac side of Parallels Desktop (that is, it's not part of your guest OS):

Parallels Desktop: Installing Parallels Tools

As I indicated, you definitely need to be logged in to your guest OS. Parallels reaffirms that with its warning message:

Parallels Desktop: Installing Parallels Tools 2

Just "OK" past that -- since you are already logged in to WinXP, aren't you? -- and the next thing you'll see is the Installer running within Windows for this particular application:

Parallels Desktop: Installing Parallels Tools 3

At this point you'll be clicking Next a few times to let it tell you about the installation options, etc. The first time you click it'll warn you that they haven't gone through the Microsoft verification process for the extensions so you'll possibly see some warnings, but they're safely ignored:

Parallels Desktop: Installing Parallels Tools 4

I didn't find that anything needed to be changed along the way. You'll be asked if you want to install "complete" or "custom": I recommend you install the complete Parallels Tools package.

Finally, installation complete, you'll want to restart your guest operating system (e.g., Windows XP, not your Mac):

Parallels Desktop: Installing Parallels Tools 5

Once it starts up again, you'll have a new icon in the clock tray, right next to the time display itself:

Parallels Desktop: Installing Parallels Tools 6

That's the shortcut for Parallels Tools. Click on it and you'll be able to configure and modify all of the many utilities included in this useful package:

Parallels Desktop: Installing Parallels Tools 7

Without a doubt, if you're running Parallels Desktop you want to also install Parallels Tools too!

Note: If you haven't yet delved into the world of virtualization on Intel-based Macs, please read How to install Parallels Desktop and Windows XP on your Intel Mac OS X System.

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Categorized: Mac OS X Help (Article 6758)
Tagged: mac os x, parallels, virtualization, windows xp
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Comments

I cannot load Tools??
I get the Parallels Warning screen then nothing?
When i check Task Mgr nothing loading?
All I can do is "Cancel Parallels Tools Installation"?
Tried reinstalling everything from scratch Windows XP, Parallels v2.1 licenced copy.
Can you help?

Posted by: eric H at August 18, 2006 8:49 AM

Thanks for the help, I got it working on my MacBook Pro and sharing files with my Win 2003 VM on the MBP.

Posted by: Scott Hodson at October 2, 2006 1:36 PM

Just wanted to let you know - in the new release of Parallels, they have gotten rid of the VM menu. Instead, installing Parallels Tools is under an Actions menu.

Thanks for the advice! Parallels still has the wrong menu name under the error message saying Parallels Tools is out of synch and needs to be reinstalled - UGH!

Posted by: Melissa at May 1, 2007 12:58 PM

How can I start up Windows XP in Parallels? It won't let me get beyond the startup page where it says "Press shift + alt + delete". I press it on my MacBook Pro and nothing happens! I haven't been able to find out anything about this.

Posted by: Gar at July 14, 2007 11:05 AM

please tell me how do u do this in parralles 3.0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE1XQyT_IbA&mode=related&search=

Posted by: mr_mime at July 17, 2007 11:53 PM

I do not have sufficient disk space to run Parallels and need to reduce my Boot Camp partition. How do I do that and will I lose my software on the Boot Camp partition?

Posted by: Graham at August 7, 2007 9:16 AM

First time here . . . Dave is great - and generous.

Posted by: Gail at November 17, 2007 8:29 PM

Great! Thank you very much for this tips, everything works perfectly.

Posted by: AdN at January 4, 2008 10:13 PM

Gar asked how to get beyond Crtl-Alt-Del in you virtual machine when running parallels on your Mac. It's stupid but the Delete button on your keyboard is really a 'backspace' button, so Windows won't recognize the Ctrl-Alt-Del combo. To make it work, press Fn-Ctrl-Atl-Del. The function key turns the backspace butten (labeled 'Delete') into a real Delete key! (I can't take credit for figuring this out, a friend helped me.)

Posted by: Elizabeth at February 14, 2008 10:51 AM

How do I install Parallels Tools on my Mac OS X Intel system?

u described a precise way how to do for a windows guest-os...

but could u answer the same question for a linux guest-os (e.g. UBUNTU 7.10)?

Posted by: kailash at March 16, 2008 1:24 AM

Hi Dave,

I'm having troubles making my windows full screen on my mac osx - it says it's full screen however, it isn't really "full screen" as there are black edges on either side and the Internet Explorer page isn't fully viewable without using the side scrolls... do you know if there is a way to make windows using parallels a true "full screen" ?? THank you !!!

Posted by: Sarah Johnson at July 17, 2008 12:37 AM

Hi! I am setting up my new Intel Macbook, and have not yet set up Bootcamp to run various PC applications.

What is the difference between FAT and NTFS format partitions?

I want to be able to copy files from Mac to PC and back again, and use the Mac (rather than PC antivirus/spyware software) to protect the PC partition from PC viruses/spyware. Which partition format should I use? Can I still use Parallels, or will that make the PC vulnerable to PC viruses?

Many thanks, Alastair

Posted by: Alastair at September 29, 2008 2:09 AM

Hey all,
so i have the parallels version that says "action" menu rather then "vm" menu. the "install parallels tools..." option is GREYED OUT!
is there another way to download the tools or anyone know how i can get this selection.... UN-grey?

Posted by: Ducktape at October 5, 2008 4:46 PM

I have had Parallels installed since it came out - running on my MacBook Pro and until a couple of weeks ago it worked famously. I have it using my Boot Camp disk.

But now Windows won't run from Parallels. It runs just fine if I boot straight into XP from Boot Camp, but if I try to run Windows in Parallels it says it (using Parallels configuration in Windows) "autochk not found - skipping AUTOCHECK" then it goes to a blue screen that says,
'STOP: c000021a (Fatal System Error)
The Session Manager Initialization system process terminated unexpectely with a status of 0xc00003a (0x00000000 0x00000000).
The system has been shut down.'

Then it restarts at using Parallels configuration and is stuck in a continuous loop and never launches into Windows. But, like I said, I can use Windows XP just fine if I boot straight into it by holding down the option key when booting my Mac and choosing the Windows drive.

Can I reinstall Parallels, or reinstall it over top of what's there now, or is this a problem totally on the Windows side (presumably with the Parallels configuration since the regular Windows configuration seems to be working just fine?

I really want to be able to use Windows with Parallels without having to reboot during work if I can and would like to get this fixed as easily and quickly as possible.

Any ideas?

(thanks in advance!)

Posted by: Doug at October 21, 2008 12:28 PM

Hello Friend, thanks very much for this tip. Save my life!
From Brazil, André

Posted by: André Martini at May 14, 2009 12:12 PM

Many thanks - loading tools in windows sorted out the problem. Great!

Posted by: alasdair denton at June 29, 2009 5:01 PM

I'm trying to install parallels tools but I get a warning, windows is in safe mode, I know how to get out of safe mode on a pc, how do I get out of safe mode in vm on my mac?

Posted by: doug at September 15, 2009 3:14 PM

A 'Goofy' question, please? While I got my feet wet on a MAC IIpci, I've been on a PC for ever and I often get asked questions or advice on problem areas. A friend asked about her G4 Powerbook and specifically about clearing the hard drive and I don't know. Will a wipe Drive or Clean type software work in either atmosphere? I think she is about to get into a train wreck with her plan of selective deletes because the MAC is her part time computer. Her PC knowledge is limited at best but I agreed to help her to find the answer. Any Help? Many Thanks.

Posted by: Attaboyslim at September 21, 2009 3:28 AM

doug, I haven't seen that one, but it should be the same: let Windows run through its diagnostics, reboot again, and you should be out of safe mode.

Attaboy, that makes me very anxious, actually. You don't want to just randomly delete files on any computer. Instead, tell her to focus on the files in her "home" directory and leave everything else alone. That should be safe.

Posted by: Dave Taylor at September 22, 2009 6:02 AM

Hi Dave,

I just upgraded to Snow Leopard. Prior to doing so, I asked in the Apple store if Parallels 3 was compatible and I was told it was. However, after installing Snow Leopard, I found out that it WAS NOT compatible and need to upgrade to 4.0. Since I was already looking for an excuse to do this, I went ahead and purchased the upgrade disk. However, when I try to install the disk it tells me that I need to stop the version of Windows Vista I had running in 3.0. Apparently, it was suspended when it was last shut down. Unfortunately, I can't access the windows software anymore because I cannot run Parallels 3 in Snow Leopard. What do I do?

Posted by: Andrew at October 26, 2009 10:11 AM

Andrew, unfortunately I don't know how you can work around that one. Try going to the Parallels site and asking their tech support people. If they have a solution, do post it here too for others to read. Good luck.

Posted by: Dave Taylor at October 26, 2009 10:41 AM

I have a lot to say, but ...

I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!