HOW TO Run a virtual machine with Parallels Desktop 17

1 Download Linux

Open Parallels Desktop, and set up its extension and privacy when invited. If necessary, use the File/New command to open Installation Assistant. Select Download Ubuntu Linux at the lower left and click Continue.

2 Install Linux

When you create the first VM, Parallels will ask to create a VM hard disk image. Agree, and the 2GB Ubuntu installer will download and then be verified before it automatically installs into the new virtual machine.

3 Log in

The window then fills with details as it progresses, after which it boots the VM into Ubuntu Linux and presents the login screen. Click on the Parallels user and enter a new password, re-enter it, and Linux opens.

4 Install Parallels Tools

Enter your password to start Parallels Tools installation, then agree to restart the VM and log back in. Ignore any system program problems which might be reported, and decide whether to set up Livepatch as offered.

5 Set up Livepatch

For Livepatch, follow the instructions to set up a Canonical account. Collect your email response from your macOS mail client, copy the link from there and paste it into Firefox in Linux to complete the setup process.

6 Access shared folders

With Parallels Tools, the VM shares your macOS Home folders, making it simple to transfer files between systems. To access those in your VM, open Parallels Shared Folders on its Desktop, which includes iCloud Drive.

7 Shut down VM

To access Linux apps, use the icon at the bottom left of the window. To configure its settings, shut it down using the Power button on the right of the Linux menu bar. It briefly displays another stream of text.

8 CPU & Memory

In the Parallels menu bar tool, open its Control Centre. Click the gear icon on the VM you want to change settings for. In CPU & Memory of the Hardware tool you can adjust cores and memory to tune VM performance.

9 Exclude from backups

Select the Backup tool and Open Time Machine Preferences, agreeing to let Parallels have access to the pane. Click the Options button and locate the Parallels folder in your Home folder. Add that to the exclusions.