Okay, so hands down my new favorite Mac software is Parallels. Yes, I have to run Windows and dirty my Mac a little, but at least Parallels makes it simple, straight forward and keeps Windows contained in this neat little file on my computer. After testing it out now for a few weeks I’ve found two little tips that make running Parallels so much more “Mac like”.

1. Install Parallels Tools

Now this may be an obvious one for those of you who diligently read the instructions, but since I blazed through wildly clicking I missed it. Just fire up Windows and go to VM->Install Parallels Tools… It’ll download a little suite of apps for your Windows environment and after a quick reboot it’ll let you click in and out of Windows seamlessly without having to hit the clunky control-option keyboard shortcut. It’s got some other handy options like shared folders and clipboard synchronizing that make life even better.

2. Install Bonjour

I had no idea Apple had a Windows installer for Bonjour, but all you have to do is download and double click to get it up and running. Once it’s installed and you can start typing in [computer name].local instead of those pesky IP addresses. It’s been a huge time saver for me when I do browser checking since I was always get a new IP dynamically assigned.

These were just the two I found, but does anyone have any other tips or tricks that make using Windows with Parallels better?

Comment on this entry...

1. John Nunemaker Oct. 10th, 2006 at 9:37 p.m.

   Agreed. Parallel tools is a must. I didn’t know there was a windows installer for bonjour either. Thanks for the tip.

2. Jay Oct. 11th, 2006 at 1:39 a.m.

   I did the same thing (blazed through), and didn’t install tools until I searched for reasons why the mouse was so “jerky”.

   The tools fixed it. :)

3. Phil M Oct. 11th, 2006 at 9:14 p.m.

   While I love that I can copy and paste between my Mac and Parallels, I hates that I needed to remember to swap my fingers from Apple C, to Crtl V. There is an app in the <a href=”http://www.petri.co.il/download_free_reskit_tools.htm” rel=”nofollow”>Windows 2000 Resource Tools</a> called ReMapKey that allows you to remap any key combo you want. So for me, I can now Apple C and then Apple V into Parellels with ease!

4. Tom Watson Oct. 12th, 2006 at 8:55 a.m.

   Phil,

   Thanks for the tip. That’s been annoying me too. I’ll go check it out!

5. Chris Coyeir Oct. 12th, 2006 at 4:35 p.m.

   I didn’t know about Parallels Tools until I read this, and it’s the deal-breaker. The mouse thing alone make Parallels twice as cool.

6. Danny W Oct. 13th, 2006 at 7:14 a.m.

   Thanks for the post. I’m just getting Parallels/Windows set up on my MacBook and the Bonjour tip is huge! Cheers.

7. Dave Oct. 15th, 2006 at 9:45 a.m.

   Cheers for the information, very valid tip an parallels is surely now a must..

8. Richard Oct. 17th, 2006 at 12:10 p.m.

   Good advice.

   Another trick is to remap the Windows My Documents Folder to your Mac OS X documents folder or similar. This way when you are in Parallels you have access to your same files as you would when working in OSX and vice versa.

   Here is a how-to I did on setting up My Documents like this if you are interested: <a href=”http://richandstephsipe.com/2006/10/sharing-my-documents-folder-between.html” rel=”nofollow”>http://richandstephsipe.com/2006/10/sharing-my-documents-folder-between.html</a>

9. Tom Watson Oct. 17th, 2006 at 8:44 p.m.

   Richard: Looks like a great trick but like you mentioned on your blog, you’re opening up Windows to your Mac a little more then I’m comfortable with.

10. Jim Barraud March 29th, 2007 at 8:08 a.m.

    The Bonjour tip just made my day. I’m now able to make Textmate projects without worrying about the IP of the referenced files on the Parallels image changing. Also makes Quicksilver happier about referencing these files as well. Thanks.

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