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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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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

I have a lot to say, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup 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!









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