Parallels isolation and best practices with Apple Silicon

Software
1

I made the jump from Intel (2018 mac mini) to M4 (mac studio), which requires quite a few config changes because of ARM. I’m a huge Parallels user, so in preparation for the migration I upgraded my Parallels license (from 16 to 20) and upgraded Windows 10 to Windows 11 Pro on Intel mac mini. I thought that was enough - oops - nope, I didn’t realize you still can’t use your VM from Intel to M4 (ARM) (that’s my fault). You have to start from scratch and build a new VM on M4. Well dangit - of course I didn’t check all the options I had set on Intel VM, and don’t have all my various app settings recorded because I have to reinstall everything.

In any event, I’ve used Parallels since they started on Mac because of a few programs where the Windows version is just superior, and to have an alternate OS for various projects. With creating this new VM I am impressed how everything is just shared between Mac and Windows and makes it pretty seamless in using apps from both (with the dock, etc.). The speed of the M4 is insane and just makes it all so fluid (compared to the past with VMs).

Because of all the security changes with Apple Silicon and Windows 11 Pro, I’m thinking/hoping that I no longer really need to isolate the VM from Mac, but curious what other folks do? I like having this integration at the moment, but I also don’t want to introduce any significant risk.

Thanks for any input!

2

I’ve run Parallels VMs on whatever hardware and OS versions were current, for eighteen years, with minimal separation between the VM and OSX/macOS. Never had a glitch or security issue. Defender, etc., are watching the Windows side, and Apple’s security features are watching the Apple side. And I always keep systems up-to-date, and never stray into suspect software or sites.

Katie

2 Likes
3

It depends

Are you doing your family budget and writing a novel?

Or are your designing a next-generation nuclear power plant?

A small % of us really do need to be hyper-paranoid with at least some of our data.

But I think most of us take it way overboard.

2 Likes
4

Thanks for the above comments! I have been enjoying full integration these past few weeks and it’s been great. I think I was too hard on myself all these years keeping the segregation in place. I do feel safe (enough) with how it’s all working, especially since everything is on the most recent releases. This and Jump Desktop for remoting into my Mac/VM is a game-changer for me … definite uptick in my productivity.