We have observed instances where users have reported issues when attempting to open Parallels Desktop virtual machine bundles (.pvm) or installation image files (.dmg) after sharing them via communication platforms like Microsoft Teams or other similar methods.
Upon attempting to open these files, users may encounter an error message indicating that Apple cannot verify that the bundle or installation image is free of malware, preventing the file from being opened as expected.
This issue typically arises because Apple’s Gatekeeper security mechanism cannot authenticate the shared file's integrity, especially after it has been transferred through third-party platforms that modify the file's attributes, such as its quarantine flags or metadata.
Resolution
To resolve this issue and bypass the Apple verification warning, you need to remove the com.apple.quarantine attribute from the file by following these steps:
-
Open Terminal on your Mac (Applications > Utilities > Terminal) and execute the following command:
-
Execute the following command to remove the quarantine attribute:
xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine <path to file>- Replace
<path to file>with the full path of the file you are trying to open, e.g. xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Users/username/Downloads/ParallelsVM.pvm
- Replace
-
For .dmg files: After running the command, open Finder, select the dmg file and proceed with the installation.
-
For .pvm files:
-
Start Parallels Desktop.
-
Navigate to File > Open
-
Select the pvm file.
-
Was this article helpful?
Tell us how we can improve it.