MacOS X + Parallels + Microsoft Windows

Follow these instructions to install Parallels and Microsoft Windows on your Intel-based Macintosh computer running Mac OS X.

  1. Purchase and install on your Intel-based Macintosh computer a copy of Parallels Desktop for Mac from http://www.parallels.com/or from an alternative comapny.
    • Download the software to your computer over the network.
    • Double-click to open the *.dmg icon.
    • Double-click Install.
      If the following warning appears,
      This package contains a program that determines if the software can be installed. Are you sure you want to continue? If you're not sure about the source of this package, click Cancel to prevent it from running the program and installing the software.
      click Continue.
    • A window entitled Install Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac appears.
      On the Welcome to the Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac Installer screen, click Continue.
    • On the Important Information screen, read through the information, click Continue.
    • On the Software License Agreement screen, read through the agreement, print and/or save a copy if you wish, then click Continue.
    • A pop-up window appears requiring you to explicitly agree to the license terms. Click Agree.
    • On the Customer Experience Program screen, read through the agreement, click Continue.
    • A pop-up window appears asking, Would you like to participate in our Customer Experience Program? Click Yes to participate or click No to proceed with the installation.
      Click Yes or No, depending upon your preference.
    • On the Standard Install on Macintosh HD screen, click Change Install Location...
    • On the Select a Destination screen, select the volume where you want to install Parallels. NOTE: This is usually your Macintosh HD. Click Continue.
    • On the Standard Install on Macintosh HD screen, click Install.
      If prompted, enter your password to authorize the software installation. Launch Parallels Desktop, then click Run Windows on your Mac.
    • On the Serial Number screen, enter the serial number provided to you when you purchased the Parallels software. Then, click Continue.
    • On the Installation completed successfully screen, click Close.
  2. Obtain a copy of Microsoft Windows 7 and Microsoft Office from the VUIT software store.
  3. Launch Parallels on your Mac and follow these steps to load Microsoft Windows. Note that you can cancel the installation of Windows at any time.
    • In the Introduction window, click Continue.
    • In the Operating System Detection window, verify that the appropriate CD/DVD drive has been selected. Click Continue.
    • In the Operating System Could Not Be Detected window, select the appropriate Type and Version of Microsoft Windows that you wish to install. Click Continue.
    • In the Virtual Machine Type window, if you are installing Windows 7, use the Express Windows option. Click Continue.
    • In the Express Windows Install window, input your User Name (this field should already be filled in for you), your Company Name (optional), and your Microsoft Windows Product Key. Click Continue.
    • In the Name and Location window, input the desired name and location of your new Virtual Machine running Windows. Check or uncheck the boxes to enable or disable file and user profile sharing between MacOS and Windows. Click Create.
    • In the Prepare to Install Operating System window, insert your Microsoft Windows CD or DVD into your Macintosh's drive. Click Start.
      NOTE: If you see a pop-up window with contents The CD/DVD-ROM disk is not yet ready., click OK. Wait a few moments, then click Start again.
    • A Windows 7 - Parallels Desktop window should appear with contents Windows is loading files... near the bottom of the window. The Windows installation should proceed without further input required.
    • When the installation completes, you should see a Parallels Desktop pop-up window with the following contents.
      Your virtual machine is running in Coherence mode. In this mode Windows applications are fully integrated into MacOS X. Click the Parallels Desktop icon in the Dock to open the Windows Start menu. For more information on Coherence and other view modes, read the online help or watch the demo.
      Click OK.
    • Eject the Windows CD/DVD.
    • Install anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
    • Close any open windows.
    • Select Start
    • Select All Programs.
    • Select Windows Update.
      • Initialization Steps
        • On the Windows Update page, Verify that Automatic Updates are scheduled to occur during a time that you anticipate your Parallels/Windows environment will be active, select Change settings in the left column.
        • Click Turn on now. If prompted for permission, press Continue.
        • If prompted to install Windows Update, click OK.
        • Click Get updates for more products.
        • On the Microsoft Update webpage, read and agree to the terms of use. Click the I accept the Terms of Use checkbox. Click Install.
        • If prompted for permission, press Continue.
        • If you see Error number: 0x80240036, follow these instructions.
          • Select Start.
          • In the Start Search box input services.msc and press Return.
          • Select Windows Update, then Action, then Properties.
          • On the Log On tab, verify that the Local system account radio button is selected and that Undocked Profile is selected.
          • On the General tab, set StartUp Type to Automatic (Delayed Start).
          • If Service status is not started, click Start.
          • Click OK and close the Services window.
        • When you return to the previous Windows Update screen, click Install now.
        • If prompted for permission, press Continue.
      • Updating Windows
        • Eventually, updates will be identified. When prompted to download and install updates for your computer, click Install updates.
        • If prompted to accept license terms, click the I accept the license terms radio button, then click Finish.
        • If prompted for permission, press Continue.
        • If prompted, click Restart now to reboot the OS.
      • Repeat the Updating Windows section until there are no more updates to apply.
  4. Launch Parallels on your Mac and follow these steps to load Microsoft Office. Note that you can cancel the installation of Office at any time.
    • Load your Microsoft Office CD/DVD.
    • If an AutoPlay window appears, click Run SETUP.EXE.
    • If prompted for permission, press Continue.
    • If an AutoPlay window does not appear, while holding down the Command key, click the Start menu, and select Explore to open Windows Explorer.
    • Scroll down in the left column and select your CD or DVD drive.
    • Double-click Setup.
    • If prompted for permission, press Continue.
    • When prompted, enter your Microsoft Office product key, which is printed on your Office CD/DVD case, then click Continue.
    • Read the Microsoft Software License Terms agreement, click the I accept the terms of this agreement check box. Then click Continue.
    • Click Install Now.
    • Possibily click Go to Office Online (if you know what you are doing) otherwise Click Close
    • Eject Microsoft Office CD/DVD.
    • If you opened Windows Explorer, close it.
    • After launching IE, when prompted to turn on/off Phishing Filter, click the Turn on radio button and click OK.
    • Select Start.
    • Select All Programs.
    • Select Windows Update.
    • Click Check for updates.
    • When prompted, click Install updates.
    • If prompted, click Restart Now.
    • Repeat the Updating Windows section until there are no more updates to apply.