Just Released! Parallels Desktop 17 for Mac

It’s finally here! We’re so excited to introduce a new version of Parallels® Desktop: Parallels Desktop 17 for Mac. It is optimized for Windows 11 and macOS Monterey, unveils powerful new features for both Apple M1 and Intel and includes graphics, performance and productivity improvements.

Watch a video about the highlights in Parallels Desktop 17: 

What are the top new features in Parallels Desktop 17? 

Ready for macOS 12 Monterey and Windows 11

Parallels Desktop 17 will support macOS Monterey as a host and guest operating system (OS) and will be optimized for Windows 11. Get a sneak peek and install the highly anticipated previews of macOS Monterey and Windows 11 to a virtual machine (VM) via the Parallels Desktop 17 Installation Assistant. Check out our two blog posts about how to run macOS Monterey in a VM and how to run Windows 11 in a VM. 

Must-have Speed and Performance Updates

Applications running with Parallels Desktop 17 on Mac computers with Apple M1¹ and Intel chip now run remarkably faster and more efficiently. Here are some of our performance improvements:

On all supported Mac computers²: 

Up to 38% faster Windows, Linux and macOS resume 
OpenGL graphics perform up to 6 times faster 
Up to 25% faster 2D graphics in Windows

On a Mac with Apple M1 chip²: 

Up to 33% faster Windows 10 on ARM Insider Preview start 
Up to 20% faster Windows 10 on ARM Insider Preview disk performance 
Up to 28% better DirectX 11 graphics performance

On a Mac with Intel processor²: 

Up to 60% faster network connection on macOS Big Sur (and newer) virtual machine

Enhanced Windows Gaming Experience:

The improved display driver in Parallels Desktop 17 delivers a much smoother Windows UI responsiveness and synchronized video playback experience. The new driver boosts the frame rate in many 2D action-platformer games including Foregone, Smelter and many others for a greater gaming experience. 

Powerful New Features for Apple M1 chip Mac

With Parallels Desktop 17, Windows 10 recognizes Mac battery status and enables battery saving when your Mac runs low of charge. The new virtual TPM chip enables Windows 10 and Windows 11 to use BitLocker and Secure Boot for a higher level of data protection. Enjoy multichannel sound support and jack presence detection with native drivers in Linux VMs. Conveniently use a Linux virtual machine in a windowed view mode with dynamic resolution support—resize the VM window and Linux will refresh the display for the new resolution automatically.   

Coherence Mode Improvement:

A long-time user favorite feature, Coherence™ Mode is now used by 80% of Parallels Desktop users, enabling them to run Windows applications and Mac applications side by side, without seeing the Windows desktop. Users now enjoy an uninterrupted and distraction-free workflow as all Windows shutdowns, updates and sign-in screens are windowed, enabling the user to minimize them to stay focused and productive.  

Automatic Resource Manager:

Users can now experience the Automatic Resource Manager, designed to evaluate and advise on the optimal amount of Mac hardware resources for virtual machines to ensure the best performance every time.   

Seamlessly Drag and Drop Content between Windows and Mac:

Users now enjoy the ability to drop any text or image between Mac and Windows applications, including between Windows applications and macOS Monterey Quick Note (when available). 

Parallels Desktop 17 for Mac Pro Edition: 

Designed to provide the best value to Parallels Desktop power users, developers and IT specialists, Parallels Desktop Pro Edition is Parallels’ most popular selling version, offering all the power of the standard Parallels Desktop 17 for Mac, plus these unique capabilities:  

Easily Convert a Linked Clone to an Independent Virtual Machine: Responding to the demands of our users, Parallels Desktop 17 for Mac Pro Edition enables the creation of an independent virtual machine from a linked clone in just two clicks.  
Improved Visual Studio Plugin: The Parallels Desktop plugin for Visual Studio, designed to debug code in a standalone VM, now supports Mac computers with Apple M1 chip. Moreover, the plugin installation process with Visual Studio 2019 has been simplified.

 Parallels Desktop 17 for Mac Business Edition: 

Delivering essential capabilities specifically for enterprise environments, Parallels Desktop 17 Business Edition builds on the power of the Pro version with additional functionality, including:  

Corporate Virtual Machine Provisioning to Any Mac: Business administrators can now provision pre-configured Windows virtual machines to a mixed fleet of Mac computers with both Intel and Apple M1 chip. IT managers can now specify download links and descriptions in Parallels My Account for both Intel and Apple M1 chip Mac computers, and Parallels Desktop will automatically download the proper image for each individual employee.  
Deploy Parallels Desktop on a Multi-Architecture Mac Fleet with a Single Package: Parallels Desktop 17 is a universal binary application that makes it possible to create just one mass deployment package that can be used with both Intel- and M1-based Mac computers. With this new option, Parallels Desktop deployment using Mac Management tools and Self-Service Portal is remarkably simple.

Take a look at all the new features of Parallels Desktop 17 for Mac on our website.

How to get your copy of Parallels Desktop 17 for Mac  

 If you… 

…are an existing customer, upgrade now. 
…are a new customer, purchase your copy here—or test it for 14 days for free. 
…have just recently purchased Parallels Desktop 16, check out our Tech Guarantee to see if you get a free upgrade. 

Let us know on Facebook or Twitter what your favorite feature in our latest version is.

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¹ Running VMs on Apple M1 Mac computers in Parallels Desktop 17 requires ARM-based operating systems (OSs). Customers who install guest operating systems in Parallels Desktop virtual machines are responsible for making sure that they are compliant with each OSs’ end-user licensing agreement (EULA).

² Performance measurements conducted by Parallels. Measured with a prerelease version of Parallels Desktop 17 versus released version of Parallels Desktop 16. The performance will vary based on usage, system configuration and other factors.