Symptoms

• unable to share Windows disks with Mac
• can't access Windows folders/files from Mac

Cause

Parallels Desktop fails to mount Windows disks on the Mac because "hosts" file was manually changed.

Resolution

1. Open Mac Terminal from Applications/Utilities/ directory and execute the following command:

   cat /private/etc/hosts
   

   if you see the following string, then this article doesn't apply to you:

   127.0.0.1   localhost
   

   if this line is commented:

   #127.0.0.1  localhost
   

   or is not presented, please proceed further.

2. Execute the following command to open the file in the text editor vim:

   sudo vim /private/etc/hosts
   

   Enter your Mac administrator password when prompted (you will not be able to see the symbols you type).

3. Press i button to enter in Insert mode and modify the file.

4. Once done press esc, type :wq and hit Enter combination to save the changes and quit vim:

   

5. Repeat steps 1-4 for /etc/hosts file.