Parallels Desktop 26 Adds Support for macOS Tahoe and Windows 11 2025 Update

[Big_D]

Version 26 turned up this morning. It looks like they have finally got the process in place.

Edit: Oops, it re-started and started creating a new Windows 11 VM from scratch! I had to stop the process and manually open and re-add all my previous VMs to version 26! Be careful out there!

 

[Homy]

This is what I was trying to emphasize. UTM has hardware acceleration on Silicon mac for 3d rendering with openG through virglrenderer on Linux guests. I am mentioning Parallels because that is what the thread is for.

The thread is about Parallels and Windows 11 on Mac. One user asked ”Why buy this when UTM exists?”. My answer was that UTM doesn’t support GPU virtualization which makes it impossible to play modern games through DirectX and OpenGL. I was talking about Windows VM in UTM in this context so I don’t know why you keep talking about Linux VM. Even you said yourself ”the only choice to run Windows 11 with decent 3d acceleration is Parallels”.

Yes, the thread is for Parallels but you’re explaining Parallels to me like I was the one asking why I should buy Parallels ”when UTM exists”.

 

[joecomo]

Parallels has lost a lot of usefulness since Apple Silicon. I bought a copy of Parallels mistakingly when I could have used UTM for free, and UTM will virtualize Intel operating systems on Apple Silicon while Parallels won't.

Now, if Parallels could allow a Raspberry Pi virtual machine that would make it more useful, at least to me.

I continue to use (and buy) Parallels as it gives me the smoothest experience - but with wine and utm I could cleary live without it

 

[joecomo]

Because it works much better, has very useful OS integrations not available in UTM, makes installing new OS images extremely easy, and if you run into problems (not that I ever have) there's customer support. Basically if you value your time and reliability go with this over UTM. Also the subscription version includes a bunch of very useful "Parallels Tools for Mac" thyat could be a product on its own but it's included.

however I never found a decent use case for these „Parallels Tools“ - good to hear they have uses for other people

 

[ClockMeister]

I have it and do use it, some, but won't be renewing. I don't do software/app subscriptions, from any company...so...

No thank you.

I have v20 standard and everything seems to be working fine under Tahoe. I am, personally, getting sick of being nagged to pay another $60 to fix something that isn't broken, myself. I think I'll just hang onto 20 until something just doesn't work. My BS-Meter is on top peg right now.

 

[ClockMeister]

The standard edition is so crippled! Most OS's need 8GB Ram at the bare minimum

I didn't have any trouble setting up an 8GB partition under version 20 Standard.

 

[ClockMeister]

Last year I said I had enough of this company. Every year they want more money to update a crippled system. I went to my friends at Amazon and picked up a mini Intel computer with 256gb HD and 16gb Ram pre-installed Windows 11 for 235CAN tax in. I am good now for at least 5/6 years. Stick it Parallels.

Hmm, while I agree that the constant upgrade train is uncessary I haven't had any trouble with 19 (or 20) Standard on my M2 MacBook. I don't plan to upgrade the thing again because it's running fine on Tahoe - all my DEV tools work fine. No problems with it.

 

[ClockMeister]

Cool! So they can charge 50$ again for practically no update. As if the old one wouldn't (technically) work on Tahoe...Their businessmodell is just sad.

Yeah. I'm running v20 under Tahoe right now and have no problems. Parallels works great but I'm not going to pay yet another $60 for the thing. If it ain't broke, why fix it?

 

[G4beatsG5]

running Windows 10 at 16GB Ram, V16 under Sonoma. wanted to have a TPM option to run Windows 11, so I upgraded to V26 Parallels. this is a permanent standard license. now Im limited to 8 GB VM and TPM isn't there either. Time to switch VM software I guess. requested refund. arduous process just to do that. their support options suck unless you let them rape you for overpriced subscriptions.

 

[Valen1]

running Windows 10 at 16GB Ram, V16 under Sonoma. wanted to have a TPM option to run Windows 11, so I upgraded to V26 Parallels. this is a permanent standard license. now Im limited to 8 GB VM and TPM isn't there either. Time to switch VM software I guess. requested refund. arduous process just to do that. their support options suck unless you let them rape you for overpriced subscriptions.

Agree 100%. I’m using VMware Fusion which is free for personal use on a MacStudio. I’ve also heard good things about VirtualBox which is also free for personal

 

[Hank001]

VirtualBox FTW. UTM as well.