Optimizing Remote Debugging

The Parallels plugin for Visual Studio allows you to develop software in one virtual machine and test it in other virtual machines with just one click.

Warning: This functionality will be deprecated in Parallels Desktop 20.

Requirements

To use this plugin, you need the following:

• A Windows 7 (or later) virtual machine with Visual Studio Professional/Enterprise 2013 (or later).

• Other running virtual machines (with Windows 7 or later) in which you will test the project.

• The virtual machine with Visual Studio and other virtual machines must belong to the same pool of IP addresses or just be configured to use the shared network.

• All virtual machines must have Parallels Tools installed.

• The virtual machine with Visual Studio must have the Access Windows folders from Mac option selected.

• Other virtual machines must have the Share Folders: All disks option selected.

• The user accounts logged in to the virtual machines in which you're going to test your project must have both username and password, and you must know them.

Install the Parallels Plugin for Visual Studio

To install the Parallels plugin, do the following:

1. In the virtual machine with Visual Studio, navigate to the directory where Parallels Tools are installed. For both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, it is C:\Application Files\Parallels\Parallels Tools\DevTools.

2. Double-click the VMDebugHelper(*version number*).vsix file. The plugin for Visual Studio will be installed automatically.

How It Works

To start remote debugging of your project, follow these steps:

1. In the virtual machine where Visual Studio is installed, open Visual Studio and open your project.

2. Build the project and test it locally.

3. Click PARALLELS > Start Debugging in VM and select the virtual machine you need (this virtual machine must be running).

Your project will open in the selected virtual machine.