Parallels Desktop is a popular virtual machine software that allows Mac users to run Windows applications seamlessly on their Mac. One of the biggest advantages of using Parallels Desktop is that you can install Windows on your Mac without needing a CD. In this post, we’ll show you how to install Windows on Parallels without a CD.
There are several ways to install Windows on Parallels Desktop on your Mac. Let’s take a look at the three most frequently used ways:
1. Let Parallels Desktop get and install Windows at no cost to you
If you have just installed Parallels Desktop on your Mac, this dialog will automatically appear if you click on the install Windows button. Parallels Desktop will download and install Windows 10 for you at no cost. Later, you can decide to keep using Windows and purchase a Windows product key from Microsoft. The time required to download and install Windows depends on the speed of your internet connection and the speed of your Mac. There is nothing more for you to do after a while, just return to your Mac and Windows 10 will be installed.
2. Transfer Windows plus all of your applications and files from a hardware PC
If you have a PC with Windows which is on the same network as your Mac, you can migrate Windows plus all of your applications and files into a Parallels Desktop virtual machine. To get this migration started, there are actions you need to take on both the Mac and the Windows PC to be migrated. On the Mac, launch Parallels Desktop, create a new virtual machine, and click on the transfer windows from a PC icon. On the PC, download the Parallels Transporter, install it, and reboot the PC. On the PC, type in the code displayed on the Mac, and the transfer will begin. The amount of time this will take depends on how many applications and how much data is on your PC.
3. Purchase Windows online from Microsoft
Create a new virtual machine on your Mac and choose the get Windows 10 from Microsoft option. Pick the version of Windows 10 and complete the purchase in your default Mac browser. Copy the Windows product key and download the Windows installation file. This file will be about 5 gigabytes in size. Select this Windows installation file in the VM and enter the Windows product key. Soon, you will have a new Windows virtual machine on your Mac.
In addition to these three ways, there are two less used ways to get Windows on your Mac. One of them is to download one of the specially prepared versions of Windows designed for developers and testers. You can download these from the highlighted area in the installation assistant window. These are full virtual machines, and there are no installation actions on your part to use them. They expire after 90 days.
If you have already installed Windows in Boot Camp, then you can use the version of Windows in Boot Camp from a Parallels Desktop virtual machine, although there are some restrictions in its use.
In conclusion, there are several ways to install Windows on Parallels Desktop without a CD. You can download and install Windows at no cost, transfer Windows from a hardware PC, purchase Windows online from Microsoft, download specially prepared versions of Windows, or use the version of Windows in Boot Camp. With Parallels Desktop, you can seamlessly run Windows applications on your Mac.