# About Virtual Machines To add Windows or another operating system to your Mac, Parallels Desktop creates a "**virtual machine**," or a virtual computer, inside your Mac. You can then install Windows in the virtual machine, just as you would install an operating system on a regular computer. Many use Parallels Desktop to create one virtual machine and install Windows in it. But you can install as many virtual machines as you like, and install a different operating system in each of them. That way you can use multiple operating systems together at the same time on your Mac. And just like with a regular computer, you can turn virtual machines on and off, configure them, and install and use applications. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.parallels.com/landing/pdfm-ug/parallels-desktop-for-mac-26-users-guide/advanced-topics/working-with-virtual-machines/about-virtual-machines.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.