# Creating and Editing a Configuration Profile in iMazing

In macOS, you may control various aspects of the operating system and particular apps' behavior by installing or remotely deploying the so-called configuration profiles: files that contain specific instructions written in specified syntax. Such files have a `.mobileconfig` extension. They can be created or edited manually or in special software and distributed along with the app using your preferred device management solution.

Some of the MDM solutions like [Jamf Pro](deploying-parallels-desktop-via-mdm-app-catalog-as-seen-in-jamf-pro) already have preconfigured profiles for Parallels Desktop for Mac. In case your preferred MDM solution does not, this chapter describes how to create one in [iMazing Profile Editor](https://imazing.com/profile-editor).

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**: If you have never used iMazing Profile Editor before, consider studying its [quick start guide](https://imazing.com/guides/getting-started-with-imazing-profile-editor) first.
{% endhint %}

Follow these steps to create a profile that will control the Parallels Desktop activation method and (optionally) set the privacy preferences for it in advance so that your users won't have to click **Allow** on multiple system access requests when they first launch the app:

1. Download and install iMazing Profile Editor from their website or Mac App Store.
2. Launch the app.
3.  While in the General domain, set the following values at your discretion:

    1. **Payload Display Name**: what your profile will be named.
    2. **Payload Organization**: put your company's name here.
    3. **Payload Description**: what your profile controls.
    4. **Prevent users from removing this profile**: we recommend that you activate this option.
    5. **Payload Scope**: whether the profile should apply to the whole Mac, no matter what user signs in, or just the particular user.
    6. **Target Device Type**: Mac.

    <figure><img src="https://2497933630-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FCH2PH40adGxVh4iotxRv%2Fuploads%2FC1EshHJVag9QqK8EvjJ7%2FiMazing_PE_General.png?alt=media&#x26;token=fc122c2d-68e8-4a7a-b45c-73ad8efabd7f" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
4.  Scroll down the left-side bar until you find the item called **Parallels Desktop for Mac**. Select it and click the **+ Add Configuration Payload** button. This will add the Parallels Desktop activation method payload to your profile.\


    <figure><img src="https://2497933630-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FCH2PH40adGxVh4iotxRv%2Fuploads%2FFOll0wPbeVQ9nycppPt3%2FiMazing_PE_Add_PDfM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1279fd59-ed27-439f-9efe-785e76bf206c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
5.  Under **Activation Experience**, select **SSO** for the sign-in experience of per-user licensing or **License Key** for per-device licensing. In the latter case, providing the license key to activate Parallels Desktop is mandatory.\


    <figure><img src="https://2497933630-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FCH2PH40adGxVh4iotxRv%2Fuploads%2FXwtbmeb8hXudzcvZ8zYj%2FiMazing_PE_PDfM_LK_activation.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8799a88b-fde5-4dba-9508-9ce1a9b7aa09" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
6.  Optionally, scroll down the left-side bar to find the payload called **Privacy Preferences Policy Control**, add it to the configuration profile, and set it up as you see fit, following [these guidelines](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/deployment/dep38df53c2a/web) from Apple.\
    \
    At the very minimum, we recommend that you enable Parallels Desktop's access to **Desktop**, **Documents**, and **Downloads** folders.

    <figure><img src="https://2497933630-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FCH2PH40adGxVh4iotxRv%2Fuploads%2FY0xo0iqnhmooWxgNqc8H%2FiMazing_PE_PPPC_setup.png?alt=media&#x26;token=fe9d0f50-bd44-41fd-b712-be9c5ffda8d8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

    [**Note**: For the purposes of PPPC settings, Parallels Desktop for Mac and any of its virtual machines share the same bundle ID, which is `com.parallels.desktop.console`.](#user-content-fn-1)[^1][ The **Identifier Type** should be set to `Bundle ID`, **Authorization** to `Allow`, and **Allowed** to `1`.](#user-content-fn-1)[^1]
7. Use **File** -> **Save As** to save the newly created profile for further distribution. You may choose to sign the profile; if so, make sure the certificate with which you sign is also present on all target Macs.

[^1]: 
