> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/pd-ag/preparing-virtual-machines-for-deployment-and-securing-them.md).

# Preparing Virtual Machines for Deployment and Securing Them

To ensure a smooth deployment of the Parallels Desktop application, pre-configure your virtual machines. This allows the app to automatically download and install these machines as soon as it is deployed to users' devices.

Thankfully, the [Management Portal](/landing/pd-ag/getting-started/configuring-golden-images-and-policies-in-the-management-portal.md) has all the necessary tools to quickly and easily prepare something that is called [Golden Images](/landing/pd-ag/preparing-virtual-machines-for-deployment-and-securing-them/golden-images.md) — virtual machine images, from which virtual machines will be deployed to your end users' Parallels Desktop installations.

However, the Golden Images are not without their limitations:

1. Upon the deployment of Parallels Desktop, users will have to manually click the **+ Add** button in the top-right corner of the Control Center to initiate the installation of a company-provide virtual machines.
2. Only one virtual machine per user can be distributed using Golden Images. E.g., if your setup feeds pre-configured Windows 11 virtual machines using Golden Images, and some of your users also need a Linux machine, they would have to install and configure such machines manually.

Therefore, if you envision a completely zero-touch deployment, or your users need more than one pre-configured virtual machine, we recommend to deploy Parallels Desktop and virtual machines using our [**Autodeploy Package**](/landing/pd-ag/provisioning-and-activation-of-parallels-desktop/alternative-deployment-methods/alternative-mass-deployment-via-deployment-package/preparing-the-autodeploy-package.md).


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