# Installing Windows

If you have a Windows installation source (a DVD disc, an image file, or a USB storage) and a valid Windows product key, you can install Windows on your Mac and use it with Parallels Desktop.

To install Windows:

1. Open Parallels Desktop (in the Applications folder) and choose **File** > **New**.
2. If you have a Windows installation disc, insert it into the DVD drive. If you have a USB drive with Windows, connect the drive to the Mac.
3. Click **Install Windows or another OS from a DVD or image file**.
4. Parallels Desktop scans for and lists installable operating systems. If you see the version of Windows you want to install, select it and do one of the following:
   * If you want Parallels Desktop to install Windows automatically, click **Continue** and proceed to step 6.
   * If you want to install Windows manually, select **Install operating system manually** in the left bottom corner of the window, click **Continue,** and proceed to step 7.
5. If the Windows installation source didn't show up automatically in Step 4, click **Choose Manually** to browse for it manually. You can browse from the following sources:

   * **DVD:** If you have a Windows DVD, insert it into the DVD drive. Once Windows is detected, click **Continue**. If your Mac doesn't have a DVD drive, you can use an Apple SuperDrive, another Mac's DVD drive via Remote Disc, or make an image from the disc.
   * **Image File:** If you have a Windows image file, click **Image File** and drag the image to the Parallels **Installation Assistant** window. Once Windows is detected, click **Continue**.
   * **USB Drive:** If you have a bootable USB installer with Windows, click **USB Drive** and connect the drive to the Mac. Once Windows is detected, click **Continue**.

   [**Note:** Parallels Desktop may fail to detect some operating systems (for example, the latest Linux distributions). If this happens, but you're certain that the operating system can still be installed, click **Continue**, specify the OS type manually (if it's not listed, choose **Other**), and follow the onscreen instructions.](#user-content-fn-1)[^1]
6. Enter a Windows license key. If you don't have any, you can follow the links in the assistant to purchase a key online from the Microsoft Store. \
   \
   [**Note:** If you choose not to enter a key now and the specified image contains multiple Windows editions, you will be asked to select the edition you want to install.](#user-content-fn-1)[^1]
7. Choose what for you're going to primarily use Windows for. Its settings will be optimized to best fit your needs.
8. Choose where you want to store Windows from the **Save to** menu. By default, Parallels Desktop stores Windows in the `/Users/<username>/Parallels` folder.
9. If you want to pre-set things like how much memory Windows uses or whether it starts automatically when you open Parallels Desktop, select **Customize settings before installation**. You can also adjust these settings after the operating system is installed.
10. Click **Create** and wait for the Assistant to install Windows.

Once Windows is installed, you can start it up by [opening a Windows application](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/pdfm-ug/v20-en-us/parallels-desktop-for-mac-20-users-guide/use-windows-on-your-mac/getting-started/opening-a-windows-application) or by clicking the power button in the **Control Center**.

<figure><img src="https://4047593329-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FNgaOYFJddKmopmi2cfn5%2Fuploads%2FzGoj5GypcpOiH27qGgff%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8761339d-fa09-487d-a680-623197cbba26" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Important:** The first time you start Windows, Parallels Tools are installed to allow seamless operation between Windows and macOS. Once Parallels Tools are installed, you're prompted to restart Windows.
{% endhint %}

When you install Windows, Parallels Desktop creates an administrator account with a blank password. Once the installation is complete, it is recommended that you change this password.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** You can also install Windows from a [disk image file](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/pdfm-ug/v20-en-us/parallels-desktop-for-mac-20-users-guide/parallels-desktop-preferences-and-virtual-machine-settings/adding-and-removing-devices/support-for-virtual-and-physical-drives) of an installation disc. Simply choose the disk image file in step 4 above. Parallels Desktop supports ISO, DMG, CUE, and CCD disk images.
{% endhint %}

[^1]: