Parallels Desktop 12 released with a host of new features

The new version 12 offers a lot more versatility for the user including being able to directly install Windows 10.  Image Parallels

One of the most popular multi-instance software, Parallels Desktop for Mac, has released its version 12 upgrade and it comes with a good number of upgrades.

These features are said to offer over 25 percent  performance improvement to systems. It will also be fully compatible with MacOS Sierra.

One of its new key features is a stand-alone app called Parallels Toolbox for Mac. It allows for various one-click functions like screen casting, file management and media downloading. Having the Toolbox eases the burden of having to individually download essential apps from the app store when booting up a new Mac. It will also come with Parallels 12 users which can be purchased as a stand-alone for $10.

Users will now be able to install Windows 10 directly via the redesigned installer wizard. As an add-on, Acronis True Image 500GB cloud backup storage will be free for all users.

Parallels 12, priced $79.99, can be tried out for 14 days. Pro and business subscriptions will be $99/year which includes 24/7 tech support. Finally upgrading from Parallels Desktop 10 or 11 will only cost $49.

The full scope of the Parallels Desktop 12 upgrade is listed below.  Alfred Bayle

Parallels Desktop 12–What’s New:
* Parallels Toolbox for Mac:20 tools that simplify everyday tasks on your Mac.
* Simplified backup: One year of Acronis True Image 500GB cloud backup storage, which can backup new incremental changes to a VM,instead of having to resave an entire VM and changes every time changes are made.
* Support for Blizzard Entertainmentís Overwatch PC game.
* Support for Windows 10Xbox app, for streaming and playing all Xbox games on a Mac
* Schedule Windows updates for an appropriate time at night to avoid time-consuming disruptions during your day.
* Control storage space used by VMs directly from the Optimized Storage in macOS Sierra.
* Store Microsoft Edgeôand Internet ExplorerÆpasswords in Mac KeychainÆ.
* Assign special behaviors to Windows apps, such as Always Open Full Screen or Always Hide Other Apps, so they play even better on your Mac.
* Easily cancel time-consuming VM actions.
* Open documents from SharePointÆand Office 365Æin MicrosoftOffice for Windows desktop applications directly from your favorite Mac browser.
* Keep Windows ready in the background, instead of suspending the VM,to instantly open Windows applications and documents.
* OutlookÆfor Windows now features your recently accessed documents, both Mac and Windows, so they are conveniently available to select when you add attachments to your emails.
* Improved RetinaÆsupport for resizing Windows VMs.
* Archive VMs to save space in the Pro Edition
* Set resource usage limits for VMs in the Pro Edition.
* Network Conditioner in the Pro Edition now features preconfigured network profiles (Edge, 100 percent loss, 3G, DSL, Very Bad Network and Wi-Fi)to make testing a breeze, as well as customizable settings.