If you don't have enough time to create a new virtual machine with the required configuration, you can download a ready-to-use virtual machine with a predefined configuration.
Parallels Free Systems are pre-built virtual machines with a variety of operating systems (Linux, Windows, Android).
To download such a system and use it with Parallels Desktop:
Choose File > New.
Select the system you need in the Free Systems section, click Continue, and follow the onscreen instructions.
Once the download is complete, you can start working with this system in Parallels Desktop.
This guide contains information about all functions of Parallels Desktop for Macs that are or can be related to software development and testing.
Recognizing the diverse needs of software developers, we've crafted a comprehensive toolkit combining powerful plugins, widely-used resources like Packer and Vagrant, and tools designed specifically for an optimal developer experience. Our open-source initiatives, from Visual Studio Code extensions to DevOps instruments, are provided free of charge. We want to foster a collaborative community by making our source code accessible on GitHub and offering a Discord server for peer support and contribution. We believe that collective effort and shared knowledge will help improve both our product and your workflow.
Note: This manual covers using Parallels Desktop Pro and Business Editions unless explicitly stated otherwise.
When creating a virtual machine in Parallels Desktop Pro or Business Edition, the setup process includes a page where you can choose the primary use case, like software development or software testing.
However, you can later change the optimization profile of an already existing virtual machine by doing the following:
Start Parallels Desktop.
In Control Center, right-click the virtual machine (it must be shut down) and choose Configure.
On the General tab, click Change.
Select the profile that best fits your needs.
