HOW TO Run macOS Mojave inside a virtual machine
1 Download installer
Click the download link in bit.ly/ upgmacosmojave to get the installer from the App Store. It will be downloaded by Software Update and throw an error when run. Keep the Install macOS Mojave app safe for Parallels to install.
2 Create a new VM
Open Parallels Desktop, and if necessary set up its extension and privacy following the instructions. If you don’t see its splash screen, use the New command in its File menu, selecting the middle of the three options.
3 Select the installer
If it doesn’t find the right installer, click on Choose Manually, and switch the Open File dialog to display All files. Open your macOS installer, agree creation of a bootable disk image file, and click Continue.
4 Save the new VM
Give your new VM a suitable name, and choose its location. The default of a Parallels folder in your Home folder is usually best, unless you have very good reasons to put it somewhere else. Click on Create.
5 Start installing macOS
The VM displays normal Recovery Mode options. Select Install macOS and click on Continue to start installing it into your VM. This is by far the longest part of the process, and a chance to stretch your legs.
6 Select virtual volume
After the normal installer splash screen, select the disk named Macintosh HD onto which to perform the macOS installation. This isn’t your Mac’s real startup disk, but Parallels’ virtual volume. Click on Install.
7 Sign into your Apple ID
After creating your account and password, most of the choices are simple. Sign in with your Apple ID for access to App Store purchases and iCloud Drive, but don’t put your Docs and Desktop folders in iCloud.
8 Install Parallels Tools
Once your VM has configured macOS, open the Parallels Tools disk image on its Desktop, and run the installer to provide the rest of the tools to control the VM and integrate file exchange. Once complete, eject it.
9 Update & install apps
Install apps via Parallels Shared Folders. Check your VM connects with Apple’s update servers to install security updates. SilentKnight (free) helps get this done quickly. Then set up your old apps and run them.
10 Configure VM
Close your VM by shutting down your virtual Mac. If you want, you can click on the gear icon on the VM in Control Center to tweak its settings. For better performance in subscription editions, add cores and memory.
11 Configure graphics
Select the Graphics item at the left and ensure Memory is set to that recommended. Set the resolution according to how you’ll use your VM. Scaled is usually best when you use a resizable window on most displays.
12 Exclude from backups
The large VM file changes whenever it’s run. To stop Time Machine or other backup software wasting a lot of space backing up the VM, add the Parallels folder to its list of excluded folders.