Parallels Desktop for Mac

Parallels Desktop is virtualization software that allows users to run Windows and Windows applications on their Mac computers.

Wharton Computing recommends students on a Mac who need access to a Windows environment do so via Virtual Lab service. The virtual lab provides access to the same applications found on our public computers, in a secure environment. Click here for details about our Virtual Labs service.

Please consult the below chart to decide which option bests suits your needs.

	Parallels	Virtual Lab
Free to use	✘	✔
Install software	✔	✘
Access to Dept. Applications	✘	✔
Offline access	✔	✘
Patched Automatically by Wharton Computing	✘	✔

Windows on Parallels Desktop

For the purposes of security, treat Parallels VMs like a new computer

Parallels Desktop creates a guest OS in a virtualized environment that emulates an entire computer. It does not inherit security settings, antivirus, or other security features from your MacOS and is therefore vulnerable to viruses like any PC.

Students who install Parallels are strongly advised to install antivirus software. UPenn owns a home license of Sophos Antivirus, which works on both MacOS and PC environments and is a natural choice for Parallels VM.

Wharton Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff have different requirements on their machines regarding security and compliance and should reach out to their IT organization within Wharton Computing to help them set up Parallels securely.