"There is no operating system installed in this virtual machine" error message

Symptoms

Trying to start the Virtual Machine you get the following error message:

"There is no operating system installed in this virtual machine. Please insert an operating system installation CD into the optical drive of your Mac and restart the virtual machine."

Cause

• The error message indicates that Windows Operating System is not installed in the Virtual Machine.
• Your Windows Installation disk or .iso file may be corrupted or non-bootable
• You did not connect an Operating System image of CD/DVD and started virtual machine installation

Resolution

Option 1

1. Start Parallels Desktop.
2. On top MAC menu bar click on File menu -> New -> choose Install Windows -> Click Continue and follow the instructions.

Note: For more information you may follow the instruction in the KB article: KB4729

Option 2

Download another .iso file or get another original installation disk from manufacturer

Note: Original means that this iso file/DVD is not modified by 3rd party persons

Option 3

If you are not able to install from DVD (e.g. there is no DVD-ROM in MacBook Air) you may create an .iso image on other computer. Please refer to the following KB article: KB4917

Option 4

Connect your DVD/iso file:

1. In virtual machine Configuration go to Hardware > CD/DVD 1.
2. Make sure that Connected box is checked.
3. Specify the disk/image location in Connect to: box.