The biggest highlight is the new Parallels AI package, offering secure, downloadable pre-packaged virtual machines to quickly enhance AI developing skills in an offline environment.

Parallels Desktop 20 is also ready for macOS Sequoia and Windows 11 24H2 and introduces a new Management Portal as a part of the new Enterprise Edition. It offers numerous updates for Windows, macOS and Linux VMs.

Try Parallels Desktop 20 for Mac now – it is better than ever.

PS. Read all the way to the end for a fun Easter egg!

Ready for macOS Sequoia 15

The new Parallels Desktop 20 for Mac supports the upcoming macOS Sequoia (when released), improves the application stability on this operating system, and allows Mac users to enjoy AI-powered Writing Tools with Windows apps (requires macOS Sequoia 15.1).

Preview macOS Sequoia 15 using Parallels Desktop.

This version decreases the use of deprecated APIs for content capture (such as CGDisplayStream and CGWindowListCreateImage), which now trigger system alerts that indicate they might be able to collect detailed information about the user. Instead, it moves to the recommended macOS API to ensure security and compliance.

In addition, macOS Sequoia provides the ability to sign in to Apple ID in macOS virtual machines on Apple silicon!

This long-awaited improvement allows developers to fully leverage macOS virtual machines for building and testing software in an isolated environment.

With Parallels Desktop for Mac, it is so easy to install a new macOS virtual machine on Apple silicon.

Ready for Windows 11 24H2

Improving the stability and integration of this major Windows 11 update in a virtual environment has been a major goal since Windows 11 24H2 appeared in the Canary channel in early 2024.

These efforts include fixes for the NVMe driver, express Windows 11 installation on Intel-based Mac computers, mouse cursor positioning, and a fix for the dynamic resolution to sustain the ability to resize a Windows 11 VM window with automatic resolution adjustments.

From the Microsoft side, optimizations for the new major Windows 11 version 24H2 ensure users’ workflows remain uninterrupted while running legacy Windows apps (built for the Intel platform) and get up to 80% performance boost^[1] for certain computational workloads thanks to the improved Prism emulator built into Windows 11 on Arm OS.

State of Windows apps on Apple silicon Macs

Contrary to popular belief, most Windows apps run just fine in Windows 11 on Arm – the version of Windows OS users run on a Mac with Apple silicon.

With the increased adoption of Apple silicon, Parallels Desktop became an essential tool for many professionals who need access to the Windows OS ecosystem – our customers happily run more than 200,000 Windows apps on their computers.

Parallels is proud to be the first Microsoft-authorized solution for running Arm versions of Windows 11 on Mac, helping to amplify the adoption of the Arm platform by software developers.

The latest release offers improved compatibility with ArcGIS Pro, LabVIEW, Ninja Trader, and other applications so you can now seamlessly install and run on a Mac with Apple silicon—all with the help of Parallels Desktop for Mac.

It’s also great to see software companies shift their strategy and start delivering product updates that run natively in Windows 11 on Arm which means more apps will soon become available for Apple silicon users. Recent examples include Malwarebytes ThreatDown, Opera browser, Adobe Illustrator, LibreOffice, and others.

Streamline your development workflow

The Parallels Desktop 20 release reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering the best environment for developers to build, automate, and test solutions on every major operating system (Windows, Linux, and macOS).

Let’s start with the Visual Studio Code extension for Parallels Desktop. This tool allows you to create and manage your Parallels Desktop virtual machines from a single user interface — and it’s becoming a popular choice, with over 50,000 downloads and counting.

• This release introduces the ability to control virtual machines using natural language with Microsoft Copilot integrated into the Parallels Visual Studio Code extension.

• DevOps and developers can use Parallels Desktop GitHub Actions to transform their CI/CD workflows, automating the deployment and management of virtual machines directly from their GitHub repository. Imagine triggering VM provisioning, testing, and configuration automatically as part of your GitHub Actions pipeline, eliminating manual steps, reducing errors, and accelerating your development process.

• Enjoy the convenience of the Parallels Desktop DevOps Service to manage and orchestrate multiple Parallels Desktop hosts and virtual machines. Built to cater to the unique needs of DevOps teams, developers, and IT administrators, this service offers robust tools and automation capabilities that simplify the management of complex environments, enabling you to accelerate your software delivery process.

• Perhaps the most exciting feature of this release is the introduction of the Parallels AI Package, now available in the extension catalog. These allow developers to start working and experimenting with AI at a low cost, with quick onboarding, and the ability to test on different configurations, including those without network access. Interested? Read more about AI VMs.

You can also join our Discord server to ask questions, share your experience, and get help from the community.

If you’re interested in macOS virtual machines…

For developers and DevOps who run macOS virtual machines on a Mac with Apple silicon, the new version delivers:

• New! The ability to use snapshots to quickly save and restore the system state for an even more flexible development and testing process.

• An improved Parallels Packer plugin for a faster macOS VM installation in express mode, automating the initial setup process using Apple Vision framework (OCR).

• An enhanced Parallels executor for GitLab runner that now allows the use of macOS VMs on Apple silicon Mac computers.

Improvements for Linux fans

The Parallels Desktop team has listened to your feedback about the issues when running the newly released kernels inside Parallels Desktop virtual machines.

It’s well-known that the newest Linux kernels can sometimes be unstable and lead to compatibility challenges. However, we didn’t just acknowledge the issue — we took the first step to solve it.

Through careful analysis, the team discovered that nearly 50% of the reported issues were related to the Shared Folder driver operating within the kernel space.

Tackling this required adopting the high-level FUSE API, which should significantly reduce installation issues caused by kernel API changes in the near future.

This enhancement is designed to improve compatibility and ensure seamless support for future Linux distributions, reaffirming our commitment to providing you with a reliable and consistent virtualization experience.

This change also allowed us to improve performance for certain operations. You will feel the speed improvements when working with the volumes shared from Mac — now up to 4x faster than before^[2].

Introducing Management Portal and Parallels Desktop Enterprise Edition — coming later this fall

I’m excited to announce a significant update that transforms how IT administrators manage Parallels Desktop virtual machines across their organizations.

The changes are based on user feedback, particularly how IT administrators have expressed the need for more advanced tools to manage their Parallels Desktop environments.

Common requests included the ability to control virtual machines remotely from a single interface, centralized monitoring of VM performance across the entire organization, and a more convenient way to deploy the virtual machines to endpoint Macs.

The Parallels Desktop team has taken this feedback to heart and are thrilled to introduce the Management Portal, which addresses these needs head-on.

To complement the release of the Management Portal, the Parallels Desktop Enterprise Edition is now available—it’s our most advanced offering yet.

Created for organizations that need more control, visibility, and efficiency in managing their large-scale virtual environments, the new Edition unlocks access to the new Management Portal.

And that’s just the beginning. The Enterprise Edition is packed with enhancements that will empower your IT team to operate more effectively and efficiently than ever before.

Stay tuned for further updates! If you’re eager to be among the first to experience these new capabilities, reach out to our sales team today for more details and to arrange an exclusive demo: https://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/enterprise/.

Streamline the deployment process

In the world of IT management, seamless software deployment is crucial.

However, some IT admins using Parallels Desktop have recently faced a challenging roadblock when deploying the application through some Mobile Device Management (MDM) providers.

The issue stemmed from the bundle structure of the deployment package, which, while powerful, was not widely supported by many MDM providers, e.g., Microsoft Intune.

As a result, admins were forced to find workarounds, such as deploying the software via custom scripts. Additionally, our customers reported the package can’t be run on Mac computers with macOS Sequoia.

The latest release introduces support for converting the existing bundle package into a flat package format, which is compatible with most MDM providers.

This simple yet powerful change ensures that IT admins can now deploy Parallels Desktop without resorting to complex scripts.

The flat package format maintains all the essential capabilities of the original bundle, including the ability to pass a license, configure policies, and deploy VMs with precision.

For MDMs with file size limitations, admins can now link a cloud-stored VM in the package, streamlining large deployments. The option to include the VM file in the package remains available.

To further enhance the deployment experience, Parallels has added the ability to always deploy the latest version of the Parallels Desktop application without needing to bundle the DMG file with each package.

This ensures that IT admins can use the time they used to spend on building a new package on other crucial tasks.

These advancements mark a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to improving the IT admin experience. With these new features, deploying Parallels Desktop across a network of Macs is simpler and more flexible than ever before.

Can’t wait? You can give it a try now: https://www.parallels.com/products/business/download/.

Parallels Desktop 20: The latest in a long line of innovations

Many years ago, a small group of enthusiasts embarked on a journey to create a product that, year after year, captured the hearts of more and more users worldwide: be it a Windows lover, a student, a developer, or an IT admin – Parallels is proud to serve so many different people worldwide.

Fun fact: Parallels Desktop launched publicly in June 2006 with version 2.5, which makes this release not an anniversary by age but rather yet another round number release. Stay tuned for anniversary easter eggs in 2026 😊.

Years later, Parallels Desktop became the leading solution for running Windows, Linux, and even macOS in a virtual environment – the only solution authorized by Microsoft to run Windows 11 on a Mac with Apple silicon!

And this is only the beginning. Look for more enhancements in the near future, making deployment and management an even smoother process for IT admins worldwide. Stay tuned for what’s next!

New to Parallels Desktop for Mac? Get your 14-day free trial of Parallels Desktop 20.0.0 now.

• _{[1] – Performance measurements conducted by Parallels by comparing the score produced by the x86 version of the test Floating Point Math from the Passmark 10 CPU Mark suite in Windows 23H2 (10.0.22621.3593) versus Windows 24H2 (10.0.26120.670) on MacBook Pro (M2 Max, (8+4) CPU, 96GiB RAM) with the virtual machine (4 CPU, 32GiB RAM). Measured using Parallels Desktop public version 19.4.1. The performance may vary based on usage, system configuration, and other factors.} 
• _{[2] – Performance measurements conducted by Parallels by measuring the time it takes to copy 3000 (three thousand) files in 315 directories from the primary macOS 13.3 (22E252) to the Ubuntu Linux virtual machine (4 CPU, 8GiB RAM, Ubuntu Server 22.04) on MacBook Air (M2, (4+4) CPU, 32GiB RAM). Measured with a prerelease version of Parallels Desktop 20 versus the released version of Parallels Desktop 19. The performance may vary based on usage, system configuration, and other factors.} 

This article is a step-by-step guide to find and remove duplicate files, a vital hygiene practice for maintaining an organized, efficient, and smooth-running workspace. 

Explore Parallels Toolbox (included in your Parallels Desktop subscription) to learn how to dedupe files and free up your hard drive in mere minutes.

How to find and remove duplicate files on a Mac

Users can open Parallels Desktop on a Mac to find and remove duplicate files with the built-in “Find Duplicates” tool.

If you’re using Parallels Toolbox, here’s how to find and remove duplicates on a Mac.

1. Open Parallels Toolbox

2. Locate and launch the “Find Duplicates” tool within Parallels Toolbox

3. Choose the folders or drives that may contain duplicates—you can even scan multiple locations simultaneously

4. Initiate the scanning process; the tool will search for duplicate files across your selected locations

5. Once the scan is complete, you’ll receive a list of duplicate files—the results are typically organized by file type, making reviewing a whole lot easier

6. Review the duplicates carefully; the tool lets you preview files before deletion to ensure you don’t remove important content

7. Select the duplicate files you want to remove; Parallels Toolbox offers “smart” selection options to help you choose which duplicates to delete

8. After selection, remove the duplicates using the “Move to Trash” option—it’s that easy

To mitigate lengthy processing time, consider scanning multiple smaller sections of your drive rather than tackling the entire system simultaneously.

Does Apple have a duplicate file finder?

MacOS does not have a built-in duplicate file finder. If you can believe it, that’s one thing Apple has not developed!

Because of this, users must rely on manual methods (ack!) or a trusted third-party application like Parallels Desktop to identify and remove duplicate files.

Finder’s Smart Folders provide a powerful tool for those who prefer a more hands-on approach.

Finder’s Smart Folders create dynamic folders that display files based on specific search criteria, giving users full control over their file management.

Users can manually sift through potential duplicates by setting parameters such as file type, date created, or file size.

However, this process can be tedious and may only catch some things, especially if files have slightly different names or formats.

Is it safe to delete duplicate files on Mac?

Yes, it is safe to delete duplicate files on your Mac if you need storage space. Be sure to follow a few basic guidelines so you don’t find yourself in a pickle.

Here are examples of files safe to delete on Mac.

1. User-generated files are safe to delete. Any file you create or download can be safely removed if it is duplicated on your drive.

2. Duplicate system files are usually safe to remove, but it’s best to avoid deleting them until you’re confident you don’t need them. If you inadvertently delete a file that macOS needs to run, that could cause unwanted issues—and require IT assistance!

3. Always take a quick look at your files before deleting them. Even when using automated tools, it’s prudent to double-check files to ensure you’re not removing anything important.

4. Back up your hard drive before performing bulk deletions. This step will ensure you can recover any accidentally deleted files—better safe than sorry!

5. We can’t stress this enough: if you’re unsure about a file’s purpose, it’s better to leave it alone.

The long and short of it is that you can optimize your hard drive by deleting duplicate files, but it really is best practice to use a reputable tool like Parallels when you do it.

And don’t skip reviewing your files before deleting them!

This step will help ensure you don’t accidentally remove critical data and have to spend hours trying to recreate all of it (although the Find Duplicates tool does include a “restore” option in some cases).

How to find and remove duplicate files on Windows 10

The simplest way to identify (and remove) duplicate content on Windows 10 is to use the built-in features or third-party software like Parallels.

If you choose to brave the built-in Windows features, here are some things to try:

1. File Explorer: Use the search function and sorting options to identify duplicates manually. (This can be grueling depending on how long you’ve owned your computer and how many files and folders you have on your hard drive).

2. Windows PowerShell: Use commands to find and delete duplicate files automatically. (This can also be tricky if you use different naming conventions on your dupes.)

3. Or you can use Parallels Toolbox, which has a tool that is specifically designed to remove duplicate files.

The Find Duplicates feature inside Parallels Toolbox can be used on Mac and Windows to search and delete duplicate files without hassle.

This Parallels feature automatically searches every drive and folder to quickly identify the identical file taking up your disk space and delete it. Other software may not find identical files named differently, but Parallels will!

To start using the Parallels Toolbox to find duplicates, just:

1. Download Parallels Toolbox.

2. Double-click on the downloaded image file to start the installation process.

3. Open the tools by clicking on the app from the Applications folder.

4. Click on Find Duplicates to begin searching for duplicate files.

If you’re visually oriented, watch this video to see Parallels Toolbox in action.

Does Microsoft have a duplicate file finder?

Microsoft does not provide a built-in duplicate file finder specifically for Windows 10.

Users typically need to rely on third-party applications (like Parallels!) to locate and remove duplicate files effectively. While Windows Explorer and PowerShell can identify duplicates manually, they do not offer a dedicated tool.

No more duplicate files: A happy ending

Everyone’s a fan of happy endings and choosing Parallels Toolbox to remove duplicate files is a good decision for several reasons.

Parallels Toolbox offers a comprehensive suite of over 50 tools designed to enhance your computer’s performance by efficiently managing storage space.

The “Find Duplicates” tool is quite powerful and enables users to trash redundant files that clutter the system, saving valuable disk space and helping speed up your Mac and improve overall system performance.

Additionally, this feature is simple to use and provides a straightforward interface that makes locating and deleting duplicates easy—even for non-tech-savvy users.

Finally, Parallels Toolbox integrates with Mac and Windows systems and supports many file types, making it a flexible and trusty tool for maintaining a clean and efficient digital workspace.

Try Parallels Toolbox for free (plus, it is included in Parallels Desktop subscriptions) and discover why millions of users trust Parallels to optimize the way they work.

Are you a Mac devotee who’s been longing to experience the dark and wicked world of Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo?

Well, I’ve got some great news for you — Parallels Desktop makes it easy for you to explore Sanctuary on your beloved Mac.

No longer do you have to be limited by compatibility issues; instead, get ready to join the countless PC gamers in this action-packed adventure that they can’t stop talking about.

I’ll guide you every step of the way to use Parallels Desktop so that your venture into Diablo is triumphant.

Smoother graphics and faster performance are guaranteed as this extraordinary program ensures that nothing stands in between you and your epic adventures!

Ready to transform your Mac into a gaming powerhouse? Get Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition now and unleash your inner demon slayer!

How to play Diablo on a Mac

Ready to save Sanctuary? With Parallels Desktop Pro, you can quickly and easily install Diablo onto your Mac. Here’s how.

1. Purchase and install Parallels Desktop Pro

Get started by heading over to the official website and grabbing a copy of Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition. Download it and get to installing.

2. Install Windows on your Mac

Open Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition, click through instructions, then grab a valid Windows license key or installation media to finish things off.

3. Adjust the virtual machine settings

Once you’ve installed Windows, head into the Parallels Desktop Control Center under “Hardware” to allocate sufficient RAM, CPU, and GPU resources to ensure smooth gameplay.

4. Optimize Parallels Desktop for gaming

In the Control Center, select “Preferences” and choose the “Optimization” tab. Enable “Optimize for games” to further enhance your Diablo gaming experience.

5. Install Diablo

Now get your hands on the BattleNet client from Blizzard Entertainment’s website.

Follow some more instructions on-screen until you’ve downloaded and installed Diablo within your virtual machine environment

6. Configure game settings

Launch Diablo within your Windows virtual machine and head to the in-game settings menu.

Adjust the video and audio settings to your preferences and ensure that the game is running how you like.

7. Start playing Diablo on your Mac

You’re now ready to slay evil forces with ultimate precision using your favorite operating system.

Can Diablo 2: Resurrected be played on a Mac?

Diablo 2: Resurrected, similar to Diablo 3, is not natively compatible with Mac.

Simply follow the steps outlined in the section above to play the game on a Mac. You can also use these steps to play Diablo Immortal. You’ll be slaying monsters in no time!

Play Diablo on Mac with Parallels Desktop

Gearing up for an epic journey into Diablo or the vast world of PC gaming?

Parallels Desktop offers Mac users a powerful and versatile virtualization solution without compromising performance or user experience.

No more rebooting, no need to own multiple devices – this top-tier software ensures that graphics and gameplay remain smooth while you explore your favorite games.

So, if you’re ready to set out on a captivating adventure, equip yourself with the best tool available — Parallels Desktop — and get ready for full immersion!

Ready to transform your Mac into a gaming powerhouse? Get Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition now and unleash your inner demon slayer!

Look no further! Parallels® Desktop is thrilled to be part of the upcoming Penn MacAdmins event, the premier East Coast conference for anyone who deploys and manages devices in the Apple ecosystem.

We’ll showcase our innovative solutions tailored specifically for IT administrators in educational settings and DevOps professionals.

Why Parallels Desktop for IT admins and DevOps?

As IT admins and DevOps professionals, you face the challenge of managing diverse computing environments and ensuring seamless operation across platforms.

Parallels Desktop offers a comprehensive solution for integrating Windows applications into Mac environments, simplifying your tasks and enhancing your efficiency.

What to expect at the Penn MacAdmins event

Join us for an in-depth exploration of how Parallels Desktop can revolutionize your IT and DevOps management:

Live demos

Experience the power of Parallels Desktop firsthand with live demonstrations designed to showcase its robust features and seamless integration capabilities.

Expert insights

Gain valuable insights from our team of Parallels Desktop experts, who will share best practices, tips, and tricks for optimizing IT management in mixed-platform environments.

Parallels Desktop workshop session

Join us for the working session: “Virtual Machines: New in Deployment, Development, and Testing”.

Led by Aleksandr Sursiakov, Senior Director of Product Management for Parallels Desktop, this workshop will delve into the latest advancements in using virtual machines (VMs) on Apple Silicon Mac computers for deployment, development, and testing.

Key topics include the status and challenges of VM deployment, solutions for both Windows and macOS VMs, and practical insights for IT admins and DevOps professionals. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge on optimizing VM use to enhance efficiency and streamline workflows.

Why IT Admins and DevOps professionals should explore Parallels Desktop

• Simplify management: Parallels Desktop simplifies IT management by enabling seamless integration of Windows applications into Mac environments, reducing complexity and streamlining workflows.
• Increase efficiency: Efficiently deploy and manage Windows applications on Mac devices, saving time and resources.
• Enhance security: Robust security features protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry regulations, providing peace of mind.

Event details

• Date: July 9-12
• Location: Penn Star Conference Center and Hotel in State College, PA
• Event Website: https://macadmins.psu.edu/

Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how Parallels Desktop can transform IT and DevOps management within your organization.

Join us at the Penn Mac Admins event and learn how to streamline workflows, increase efficiency, and enhance security with Parallels Desktop.

Learn more about Parallels Desktop today.