Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac updates summary

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.3.3 (53627)

This update for Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.3.3 (53627) addresses overall stability and performance issues.

Note: Version 18.3.3 of Parallels Desktop for Mac does not support transferring a Windows installation from a PC. If you still want to perform the transfer, install an 18.3.2 release available here, complete the transfer, and then upgrade to 18.3.3.

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.3.2 (53621)

MD5 checksum: 3639c84c34cb51aef5cf7bd090fe00b2

This update for Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.3.2 (53621) addresses overall stability and performance issues.

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.3.1 (53614)

MD5 checksum: 2477a20f7d36f577a19884706ca8363a

Parallels Desktop for Mac 18.3.1 (53614) update addresses the overall stability and security issues and includes the following additions and improvements:

• Fixes an issue with new MS Office windows not appearing fully in Windows 11 when using Coherence view mode
• Fixes an issue of CPU overload when running macOS virtual machines on some Intel-based Mac computers
• Fixes an issue of Windows 11 automatic installation failing due to the "Windows 11 cannot connect unattended.iso to CD/DVD 2" error
• Fixes an issue of the SSO activation/login window failing to appear during Jamf deployment
• Addresses several other stability, security, and performance issues

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.3.0 (53606)

MD5 checksum: 5282a6a8ddb95d634402c8e07564c601

Parallels Desktop for Mac 18.3 (53606) update addresses the overall stability and security issues and includes the following additions and improvements: 

Windows 11 

• Fixes an issue of Space Engineer crashing with a graphics driver error 
   
• Fixes an issue of a grey box randomly appearing when using Coherence view mode 

• Fixes an issue of abnormally slow network upload speeds in Windows 11 on Apple M-series-based Macs 

• Fixes an issue of Siemens NX software freezing when editing a section 

• Fixes an issue of Idea Spectrum's Realtime Landscaping Architect software crashing 

• Fixes the issue of Surfer geoinfo modeling software returning an “Invalid depth buffer size" error when creating a 3D view map 

• Fixes an issue of coloring in ZW3D CAD software 

Linux 

• Adds support for the recent Linux distribution updates: Ubuntu 23.04, Fedora 38, Kali Linux 2023.1 (not in-product downloads)

• Fixes an issue of Debian and Kali Linux VMs freezing upon login 

• Fixes an issue of graphical artifacts appearing on Fedora 38 VMs after a suspend/resume cycle 

• Fixes an issue of copy and paste not working between the host OS and Ubuntu virtual machine 

• Fixes an issue of host-to-guest drag’n’drop on Ubuntu 22.04 virtual machines after a suspend/resume cycle 

macOS  (virtual machines on Apple M-series-based computers) 

• Adds support for creating and spinning up Vagrant boxes 

• Enables Shared folders by default on new macOS virtual machines  (macOS Ventura only)

Additionally, you can now use the command line interface tool prlctl to perform the following operations on macOS virtual machines: 

• Change the network adapter type 

• Change virtual RAM/CPU parameters 

• Pause/resume macOS VMs 

• Restart/perform graceful-stop 

• Change MAC address 

• Start the VM without UI (headless mode) 

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.2.0 (53488)

MD5 checksum: 24035594ee0ebb73286d822f443084bb

Parallels Desktop for Mac 18.2 (53488) update addresses the overall stability and security issues and includes the following additions and improvements:

• Adds support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.1 on Mac computers with M-series chips
• Enables better feature discovery by displaying clearly marked Pro edition features to the users of the Standard edition. Pro-labeled features can be hidden with a click
• Fixes an issue of broken video playback on Ubuntu 22.04 VMs after suspension and resumption
• Fixes an issue of Safari missing from the list of available browsers in Windows 11
• Fixes an issue of inability to write or delete files on a VM-connected SD card
• Fixes an issue of Pytha CAD software incorrectly displaying black lines on 3D objects

Pro Edition

• Adds the ability to automate the execution of CLI prlctl exec/enter commands within the virtual machine on macOS VMs on Mac computers with M-series chips

Business Edition

• Fixes an issue where mass deployment fails with a "launch path not accessible" error
• Provides updated administrator’s guides

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.1.1 (53328)

MD5 checksum: 4ffe5b637216cfc8956ef5cc3f5dad81

Parallels Desktop for Mac 18.1.1 (53328) update addresses the overall stability and security issues and includes the following additions and improvements:

• Resolves an issue with CapsLock not working in macOS VMs on an Intel-based Mac computer.
• Resolves an issue where a Windows Server 2019 VM would freeze after a few days of uptime.
• Resolves an issue with mass deployment failing due to the “Launch path not accessible” error.
• Resolves an issue that prevented Windows VMs from booting up correctly on Intel Macs when running on macOS version 12 and above.
• Resolves an issue that prevented Houdini 18 from launching correctly.
• Resolves an issue that prevented Aurora HDR from correctly identifying the presence of OpenGL 3.3-compatible graphics drivers.
• Adds support for Linux kernel 5.19 and newer on Intel Macs.
• Adds localized documentation in all supported languages.
• Addresses several other stability, security, and performance issues.

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.1.0 (53311)

MD5 checksum: 97fc3a048cb8cfaa89908862aad51949

This update for Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.1.0 (53311) addresses overall stability and security issues, and includes the following fixes and improvements: 

macOS Ventura 13 

• Fixed an issue with VM activity indicators being incorrectly positioned. 

• Fixed an issue with the Windows start menu not opening correctly in Coherence mode with Stage Manager enabled. 

• Fixed an issue when moving a Windows application window brings the underlying window to the front when in Coherence view mode with Stage Manager enabled. 

• Fixed an issue with VM crashing if the 'Share Bluetooth devices with Windows' option is enabled. 

Windows 11 

• Fixed an issue with Windows Update KB5012170 failing to install in certain situations. 

• Fixed an issue with Windows 11 express installation failing if the Mac user name contains international symbols. 

• Fixed an issue where external volumes couldn’t be ejected from macOS while Windows is running. 

• Fixed multiple graphics and stability issues with various 3D applications and games, including but not limited to World of Warships, Eve Online, Optuma, ANSYS Workbench 2021, Micromine, NS-1, BobCad-Cam, ACCA Edificius. 

Linux 

• Added support for CentOS Linux 9 Stream (ARM) on Mac computers with Apple M-series chips. 

• Fixed Parallels Tools installation issue in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9. 

• Fixed an issue with Fedora 36 having an incorrect time zone. 

Other 

• Fixed an issue with the Parallels Desktop menu bar icon leaving a blank space if disabled in preferences. 

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Pro Edition only 

• On macOS Ventura 13, assign up to 128GB of RAM to a virtual machine on a Mac Studio computer with Apple M1 Ultra chip. 

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Business Edition only 

• Added support for migrating Business users to a new per-user license (SSO/SAML). 

Deprecation of legacy Windows OS support 

As Microsoft stopped supporting driver signing for legacy Windows OS versions, it is not possible for us anymore to support Windows OS versions 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1. Moreover, these Windows versions no longer receive maintenance or security updates. 

For these reasons, this product update includes the final version of Parallels Tools for legacy Windows OS versions. Parallels Tools enable a smooth experience with Windows on a Mac, and include: 

• Automatic Windows installation 

• Coherence view mode 

• Graphic and gaming acceleration 

• Sharing and integration features. 

While legacy Windows OS versions will continue to work in future Parallels Desktop updates with the current Parallels Tools version for as long as possible, they will no longer receive any updates or fixes. Parallels recommends switching to Windows 11 for a secure and smooth Windows experience on a Mac in the long term.  

For more information about legacy Windows versions support, please visit KB 129252. 

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.0.3 (53079)

MD5 checksum: 61df638ba23620dc427c2d71fd90e2d3

This update for Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.0.3 (53079) addresses overall stability and performance issues.

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.0.2 (53077)

MD5 checksum: 209527690a42f3d2c76c320f814a83f8

This update for Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.0.2 (53077) addresses overall stability and security issues and includes the following fixes and improvements:

• Fixed an issue where Windows update KB5012170 can't be installed (Secure Boot DBX update)​
• Fixed various graphics issues with Windows desktop and application​
• Fixed an issue with Microsoft Teams camera video freeze
• Fixed an issue with black screen in Vista virtual machines

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.0.1 (53056)

MD5 checksum: 2688c9d6d5c53e2e86ae8a59ac785f20

This update for Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.0.1 (53056) addresses overall stability and performance issues.

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac 18.0.0 (53049)

MD5 checksum: 1e8fe117bf06ac7293d630cf9a8a541e

Ready for macOS Ventura 13

As a main operating system:

• Parallels Desktop 18 fully supports macOS Ventura 13, so you can upgrade your Mac computers (Apple M series chips or Intel processors) when the new operating system is available.
• On Mac computers with Apple M series chips, added the ability to boot macOS Ventura VM to Recovery Mode and disable System Integrity Protection.

As a virtual machine:

• Run macOS Ventura 13 in a virtual machine.

 

Graphics

For Apple M series chip Mac computers:

• On Mac computers with a ProMotion display, Windows will now adopt display refresh rate changes automatically if it has been changed in macOS.
• Improved default resolution in macOS virtual machines.

 

Usability

For all supported Mac computers:

• Parallels Tools update will be installed upon Windows restart to prevent unwanted interruptions.
• Safari will now use Parallels account credentials previously created in Parallels Desktop. 
• Editing Parallels Desktop network preferences is now much easier and protected from both human errors and conflicts with the macOS network. 
• Redesigned virtual machine Sharing options for better usability.

For Intel-based Mac computers:

• Download and install Windows 11 via the in-product offer.
• When using the Parallels hypervisor, Parallels Desktop now displays a notification informing you about system memory issues if they occur.

 

Compatibility

For Apple M series chip Mac computers:

• Parallels Tools driver responsible for Shared Folders functionality has been re-built to ARM architecture to provide better compatibility with Intel applications in Windows running on Apple M series Mac. 
• On Mac computers with a ProMotion display, the macOS menu bar remains visible for virtual machines in full-screen mode when configured accordingly.

 

Devices

For all supported Mac computers:

• A new virtual controller device is automatically created in Windows when a Bluetooth controller is connected to the Mac, allowing users to play Windows games with Xbox, DualSense, and other game controllers.
• The Virtio network driver used in Windows and Linux by default now supports jumbo Ethernet frames.
• Improved USB 3.0 support: Works with live data streaming devices (webcams, game capture devices, and a range of other video and audio streaming devices, including Elgato HD60 S, SOCT Copernicus REVO, and more). 
• Improved mouse precision in Windows when the mouse is in gaming mode.

For Apple M series chip Mac computers:

• Added the ability to use network boot with Linux ARM virtual machines.

 

Design

For all supported Mac computers:

• Updated the Parallels Desktop menu bar icon design.
• Virtual machine and Shared Applications icons in the Dock don't have the Parallels logo anymore. To distinguish Windows apps from macOS apps, tag the virtual machine with color in Finder or via the Control Center context menu.
• New navigation, search functionality, and feedback forms have been introduced to Parallels online documentation.

 

Other

For all supported Mac computers:

• Downloadable Linux virtual machines have been updated with the latest OS versions (also known as virtual appliances or free systems).

For Apple M series chip Mac computers:

• Added the ability to select Windows 11 edition before installing via the in-product offer.

 

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Pro Edition only

For all supported Mac computers:

• Parallels plug-in for Visual Studio has been updated with functionality that allows C++ developers to profile their applications in separate virtual machines.

For Apple M series chip Mac computers:

• On Mac Studio with Apple M1 Ultra chip, assign up to 62 GB RAM and up to 18 CPU cores to Windows and get up to 96% faster Windows 11 on your Mac.*
• Added the ability to add/remove, start/stop, and clone macOS virtual machines using Parallels Desktop CLI tools.
• Added the Network Conditioner feature for configuring various network conditions in the virtual machine.
• Added the option in Parallels Desktop Network preferences to connect or isolate macOS from virtual networks.

 

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Business Edition only

For all supported Mac computers:

• Added SSO/SAML support that allows employees to activate Parallels Desktop with their corporate account.
• Added support for Windows 11 mass deployment and provisioning.
• Added the ability to manage Parallels Customer Experience Program participation centrally in Parallels My Account.

 

What was Deprecated or Removed from Parallels Desktop 18

According to the statistics from the users who participate in the Parallels Customer Experience program, some product features are used very seldom or not at all. We have decided to either stop supporting them or completely remove them from Parallels Desktop and focus on frequently used features and further enhancements.

Please see below which features were removed and which were deprecated. If a feature is removed, it is no longer available in Parallels Desktop 18. Deprecated features will continue to work, but are no longer supported and will be removed in the next product version.

All the features mentioned below are not business-critical, so these changes will have little to no impact on your work.

Removed features:

• Support for End-of-Life Linux distributions.

* Performance measurements conducted by Parallels by collecting the PassMark9 score in Windows 11 (22000) in macOS 12 on Mac13,2. Measured with a pre-release version of Parallels Desktop 18 versus the released version of Parallels Desktop 17. The performance will vary based on usage, system configuration, and other factors.