Install Windows 10 on a Mac Using Parallels

Tags windows mac osx

These instructions are for Elon students wanting to download Parallels in order to run Windows on a Mac. To purchase Parallels, please visit their website.

What you'll need before you install Parallels on your Mac

Check your system and hardware requirements

Prior to installing Parallels, make sure your system meets the minimum requirements for hardware. Below are the minimum requirements to install Parallels Desktop.

  • A Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Intel Core M or Xeon processor
  • 4 GB of memory (8 GB recommended)
  • 500 MB of disk space on the boot volume (Macintosh HD) for Parallels Desktop installation
  • Additional disk space for virtual machines (at least 16GB of free space for Windows 10)
  • SSD drive is recommended for better performance
  • Internet connection for product activation and select features

Your Mac operating system should also be no older than four years.

  • macOS Catalina 10.15
  • macOS Mojave 10.14
  • macOS High Sierra 10.13
  • macOS Sierra 10.12.5 or later

Your system information can be found by clicking the apple logo at the top left of your screen then select "About This Mac."

Make sure to obtain your Product Key. You will need this for later steps. Make sure to save your Product Key in a safe place in case you need it in the future.

Download Windows 10

  1. Complete steps on the Parallels website

  2. Click the link to be redirected to Microsoft's website

    • Site stating "Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac users: 1. Go to Microsoft's ISO Software Download Site. 2. Enter the product key from your Order Details page when prompted to launch the upgrade to Windows 10 Education. Important; Upgrading in this fashion will cause all files, settings and software applications to be deleted from your computer.Be sure to back up all important data before you upgrade your operating system." The first step has a click-able link with the words "Microsoft's ISO Software Download Site"

  3. Read the System Requirements for Windows 10

    • Page displaying the System Requirements for Windows 10

  4. Enter your product key, select 'Verify'

    • Page showing the steps for downloading product and then the prompt to "Enter product key" with the "Verify' button directly under it

  5. Select the product language, then 'Confirm'

    • Page with the headers "Product confirmation" and "Select product language." Under the "Select product language" is a drop down menu to choose a language with a "Confirm" button directly under

  6. Choose which download you prefer

    • Header options "Downloads" with a FAQ link and "Windows 10 Education English" with the options of "64-bit Download" and "32-bit Download"

 

Install Parallels and run Windows 10

Once you've downloaded Parallels, you can complete the following steps.

  1. Double-click on the ParallelsDesktop.dmg file to start the installation. This file will most likely be in your downloads folder

    • Download folder for Parallels Desktop 13

  2. Accept the License Agreement and enter your computer's administrator Name and Password when prompted

  3. After the installation has completed you will be prompted by the Installation Assistant to download and install Windows 10 as an automatic download

    • Pop-up window for "Download and Install Windows 10" with the options to "Skip' or "Install Windows"
    • If you decide to "skip" but still need to download Windows 10, you can manually "Add New" virtual machine later.

  4. Once Windows 10 has finished downloading, you will be able to enter the Windows 10 license key

    • Pop-ip window asking for the "Windows License Key" with options to "Go Back" or "Continue"
    • Next pop-up window for "Downloading Windows 10" showing the download process with the ability to "Pause"

  5. After Windows 10 completes the installation, you will have access to the OS through the Control Center as a virtual machine

    • Control Center for Windows 10 with icon options for on/off and settings


 

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