Importing from an Earlier Version of Parallels Desktop or Another Virtualization Application

With Parallels Desktop for Mac you can use Windows that you set up using earlier versions of Parallels Desktop, as well as VMware Fusion, Microsoft Virtual PC, and VirtualBox:

Note: Importing, converting, and running previously created virtual machines from another virtualization application is not available on Apple Silicon Macs.

1. Open Parallels Desktop (in the Applications folder) and choose File > Open.

2. Select the Windows data file you want to import, then click Open, and follow the onscreen instructions.

   • Parallels Desktop data files end with .pvm.

   • VMware files end with .vmx.

   • Virtual PC files end with .vmc.

   • VirtualBox files end with .xml or .vbox.

   You can also simply drag a Parallels .pvm file to Control Center to add it to Parallels Desktop.

3. Start Windows.

4. Choose Actions > Install Parallels Tools and follow the onscreen instructions.