Just confirmed this with Parallels support. Only one user on a Mac can run any Windows virtual machine at a time. User A must close any VM applications and shut down the virtual machine itself before User B can use it.
I installed Parallels as a shared application. Once it was working I moved the virtual machine file to a separate drive and updated the permissions so everyone can access it. Not enough to just change them in the "get info" window, I had to do it from the terminal.
Example: User A logs on to Mac and opens a Word file, which starts the Parallels Windows 8.1 virtual machine and Word. User A is happy all morning.
User B seizes chance to log on to Mac when User A is lunching. User B cannot open a Word file or start the virtual machine. User B can start Parallels Desktop but will get an error upon trying to start the windows virtual machine.
User A logs back onto the Mac after getting tired of User B's complaining and shuts down the virtual machine.
User B logs back on to Mac and is able to run Windows stuff all day long.
Parallels Support says this is how it's supposed to work. I suppose one could install a second copy of Windows, but would that be a violation of the license agreement? Only one user can run Windows at a time ...
I installed Parallels as a shared application. Once it was working I moved the virtual machine file to a separate drive and updated the permissions so everyone can access it. Not enough to just change them in the "get info" window, I had to do it from the terminal.
Example: User A logs on to Mac and opens a Word file, which starts the Parallels Windows 8.1 virtual machine and Word. User A is happy all morning.
User B seizes chance to log on to Mac when User A is lunching. User B cannot open a Word file or start the virtual machine. User B can start Parallels Desktop but will get an error upon trying to start the windows virtual machine.
User A logs back onto the Mac after getting tired of User B's complaining and shuts down the virtual machine.
User B logs back on to Mac and is able to run Windows stuff all day long.
Parallels Support says this is how it's supposed to work. I suppose one could install a second copy of Windows, but would that be a violation of the license agreement? Only one user can run Windows at a time ...