We have just released an update to Parallels® Toolbox for Mac®, with four additional tools and several new features requested by users.
A regular cycle of annual upgrades has established Parallels Desktop as the leading virtualisation tool for Mac users who need to run Windows apps and software tools that aren't normally available.
New Tools
The four new tools are shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1_The Toolbox menu, always available in the Mac menu bar
They are:
Download Audio – Similar to the Download Video tool but targeted toward downloading audio from the Internet, including multiple track downloads from a single page.
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Airplane Mode – Easily disable both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® on your Mac.
Switch Resolution – Enables you to quickly switch display resolutions—perhaps even to resolutions you didn’t know your display supported. This tool will be especially useful to those who consider the Apple® resolution choices a bit too limited. Compare the macOS® choices on an iMac® to the ones offered in the Switch Resolution tool, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2_Comparing the Mac Display preferences to the Screen Resolution tool
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Presentation Mode – This tool automatically detects connected external displays or a projector. It also enables several other tools to minimize distractions, such as hiding files on your desktop, disabling notifications, and blocking your Mac from going to sleep.
New Features
Among the features in this update are:
The Download Video tool can be automatically updated. This is especially important since some of the most popular video posting sites (YouTube, Facebook, etc.) change the manner in which videos are referenced. These changes can make the Download Video tool no longer work. This update means that we can fix these issues quickly.
The Screenshot tools can now save images in different formats. You set the format you want in the tool preferences, as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3_New image formats available in the Screenshot tools
Several different do-not-sleep durations are now available in the Do Not Sleep tool.
You can install the new Parallels Toolbox update by using the “Check for Updates …” menu item. (See Figure 4.)
Figure 4_Checking for updates of Parallels Toolbox for Mac
Every Parallels Toolbox user will receive the new features in this update. Only users with a subscription—either for Parallels Desktop® 12 for Mac or Parallels Toolbox—will receive the new tools.
The tool I use the most is Download Video. Let us know in the comments which tool you use the most.
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Question
I want to upgrade my Windows virtual machine to Windows 10. How do I do that?
Before you proceed
In January 2020 Windows 7 will reach the end of extended support (no more security patches).
Please note that only the following versions of Windows are supported for the upgrade to Windows 10:
- Windows 7 SP1
- Windows 8.1 Update
For more information please refer to Microsoft Support: Windows 10 Specifications, Windows 10 Upgrade FAQ.
Also make sure that you are running the latest update of Parallels Desktop for Mac.
NOTE: Windows 10 free upgrade policy from Microsoft ended on July 29, 2016. You may purchase a Windows 10 license from Microsoft at:
Instructions
To upgrade your Windows virtual machine to Windows 10 please follow the upgrade path given below.
Step 1
- Even though Parallels Desktop automatically detects whether 32-bit or 64-bit Windows version is installed in the virtual machine, you can check which one you've got by clicking on Start menu > right clicking on Computer > Properties.
- Choose one of the links below depending on Windows version shown in computer's properties.
Download Tool Now (32-bit version)
Download Tool Now (64-bit version)
NOTE: for installing 64-bit version of Windows 10 please make sure your virtual machine has at least 2GB of RAM assigned. To check virtual machine's RAM please open configuration menu > Hardware > CPU & Memory.
To increase the memory you would need to shut down your virtual machine.
Also make sure that you have at least 10GB of free space available on the virtual hard disk for the upgrade. You can check the amount of a free space in File Explorer of your Windows VM (C: partition). To add more free space please visit KB 113972.
Step 2
- If you have Parallels Desktop Sharing Tools enabled, you can run the downloaded file from the Mac's Downloads folder.
- Run MediaCreationTool.exe and follow the on-screen instructions to upgrade Windows.
- Once the upgrade has finished you can shut Windows down and rename it.