Parallels Desktop 26.3.1

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Originally published at: Parallels Desktop 26.3.1 - TidBITS

Parallels released version 26.3 of its Parallels Desktop for Mac virtualization software at the end of March with improvements and bug fixes. The update ensured the Install Assistant reliably completes setting up a new Windows 11 virtual machine, fixed a bug that prevented dropdown menus from opening in Microsoft Excel when running in Coherence mode, resolved an issue where graphically intensive applications or games could cause a freeze (and require a full Mac restart), and addressed a problem that caused Parallels Tools installation to fail in virtual machines running macOS 26.1 Tahoe. Version 26.3.1 was issued to fix a bug that prevented Steam from launching in a Windows 11 virtual machine and resolve an issue where guest virtual machines would receive invalid DNS responses. ($99.99 annual subscription for Standard Edition, $119.99 annual subscription for Pro Edition, $149.99 annual subscription for Business Edition, upgrades available, 5.4 MB installer, release notes, macOS 13+)

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I used Parallels for years and paid the annual upgrades, but my usage was low and a year ago decided it just wasn’t worth it. Without great expectations I tried the lightweight and free UTM app (from Apple Store) to make a Win 11 virtual machine, and have been very pleasantly surprised. It is less polished but quite usable, though power users of Windows in Parallels may find more issues.

I also use UTM (more in fact) for testing other macOS versions. Apple allowed sign in to iCloud on VMs recently, which is crucial to me. Apple still doesn’t allow sign to the App Store, but I can drag most apps into the VM by sharing the Applications folder from my host mac.

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