New to Parallels

Hi

I've been a mac user forever, but recently found myself needing to use architectural software only available for windows.

Long story short, I have parallels 8, but I also have a new iMac without a disc drive.

Does anyone know how to get an ISO version of Windows 8? (ie. is it possible to download windows to my mac, and install that file on parallels?)

Guidance would be very appreciated.

Cheers!

There are several ways but the easiest may be to let Parallels do it for you. Install Parallels 8 and then select to install Windows 8 buying it through Parallels. It will then install direct.

Personally, if it were me, I would choose Windows 7 over 8 but it's your choice.

thanks for the reply.

Thats actually what I was planning to do... but it seems the version of parallels I have (Parallels Desktop 8: Switch to Mac Edition) does not have this feature.

In that case you'll need to purchase Windows 8 or 7 on DVD, burn it as an ISO, copy the ISO to a flash drive and install it from the flash drive. Since your new iMac has no optical drive, it will allow installing Windows from a flash drive. I'm not certain how Parallels 8 will handle it but it should work.

LostinBrooklyn said:

Long story short, I have parallels 8, but I also have a new iMac without a disc drive.

Click to expand...

Buy an external CD/DVD drive for about $50 (US prices). Depending on the format of your Windows OS software (which you need to install after installing Parallels)...if it's on CD/DVD as well...you will need an optical drive to install Windows.

- Nick