> 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/pdfm-ug/v20-en-us/parallels-desktop-for-mac-20-users-guide/advanced-topics/working-with-virtual-machines/changing-virtual-machine-configuration-while-in-use.md). # Changing Virtual Machine Configuration While in Use Parallels Desktop allows you to connect or disconnect certain devices at runtime or switch some of them to use other media. Generally, the following virtual devices can be connected or disconnected at runtime: * Removable media drives * Network adapters * Sound devices * USB devices * Shared folders If parallel and serial ports are present in the virtual machine configuration, you can also manage them on the go. To configure any of these devices, use the necessary command from the **Devices** menu in the menu bar. This menu is available only when the virtual machine is running. ### Connecting a Removable Media Drive If you have several CD/DVD drives connected to your virtual machine, in the **Devices** menu they are listed in the same order as they were connected. The first CD/DVD drive will be **CD/DVD 1**, the second will be **CD/DVD 2**, and so on. ### Connecting a Network Adapter You can set up any of the three network modes: Shared Networking, Bridged Networking, or Host-Only Networking. ### Connecting a Sound Device To connect or disconnect a sound device, choose the type of output (or input) device or **Mute** option respectively. ### Connecting a USB Device Parallels Desktop automatically detects all USB devices plugged into your Mac computer. The devices that are currently connected to the virtual machine appear in the list from the **Device** menu. You cannot use a USB device in macOS while it is being used by the virtual machine. ### Connecting a Shared Folder The Shared Folders options available at runtime are similar to the settings in the **Virtual Machine Configuration** dialog. You can: * share all Mac disks or Home Folder only with the virtual machine; * share Windows guest operating system disks with macOS; * add a new shared folder. ### Connecting a Serial Port To connect or disconnect a serial port, click the **Devices** menu, select the corresponding serial port, and choose the appropriate command in the displayed menu. ### Connecting a Printer To connect to a printer or an output file, click the **Devices > Printer** menu, select your preferred printer, or choose to print to a file. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## 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, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.parallels.com/landing/pdfm-ug/v20-en-us/parallels-desktop-for-mac-20-users-guide/advanced-topics/working-with-virtual-machines/changing-virtual-machine-configuration-while-in-use.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. 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.