Software Update: Parallels Desktop 17.1

Parallels has released version 17.1 of Desktop for Mac, the virtualization software for macOS. This program is capable of running various operating systems in a virtual machine, especially Windows, but also other OSes, such as Linux, FreeBSD and Solaris. Desktop for Mac is also able to run a Windows installation that has been put on the Mac via Boot Camp as a virtual machine. The main change in this release is support for TPM 2.0, which allows installing Windows 11. The complete release notes for this release can be found below.

Easily install and update to Windows 11 VMs with automatic enablement of vTPM!

Users of all editions of Parallels Desktop 17 (Standard, Pro & Business) will be able to run Windows 11 with the use of a vTPM added by default to meet the minimum requirements of Windows 11. Additional details can be found here in our blog post regarding the specific requirements needed when running Windows 11 on either Apple M1 or Intel-based Mac computers.

Run macOS Monterey VMs on Apple M1 Mac with a better user experience!

Now, Parallels Desktop 17.1 users can install Parallels Tools in a macOS Monterey VM on Apple M1 Mac and use the Copy and Paste integrated feature between the VM and the primary macOS. Additionally, the default virtual machine disk size increases from 32 GB to 64 GB.

Play more Windows Games!

In response to customers’ top requests, Parallels improves graphics for several Windows games including, but not limited to: World of Warcraft, Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition, Tomb Raider 3, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Mount & Blade II : Bannerlord, World of Tanks, Raft.

Use accelerated 3D graphics in Linux via VirGL!

This update delivers support for VirGL in Virtio GPU which enables Linux 3D acceleration out of the box on all supported Mac computers,brings visual performance improvements,as well as use of Wayland protocol in Linux VMs. VirGL 3D graphics can be used by modern Linux VMs even without Parallels Tools being installed, however, Parallels recommends users install Parallels Tools anyway.

Additional Useful Information for Parallels Desktop 17 Users:

Learn more about Windows 11: How to Install Windows 11 on Mac
Learn more about Parallels Desktop 17: What’s New in Parallels Desktop 17 for Mac?