Guest blog by Sylvester Sebastian Nino, Parallels Support Team
Parallels and Virtualbox are virtualization solutions from parallels inc and Oracle, formally Sun Microsystems. While most Virtualization systems are based on similar principals, they use incompatible file format and tools. Virtualization tools are used to allow advanced functions such as copy and paste between the host and the virtual machine. Virtualbox is very basic, and Parallels is a much better software that will allow you to transfer files easily. You’ll also be able to boot your system faster and save your battery life. Both Parallels and Virtualbox will allow you to run multiple operating systems and test software in an isolated environment.
My experiences with VirtualBox are similar. I have heard ok things about Parallels, though it is quite expensive. Another alternative to look into is VMFusion, but again its expensive. If you are a University Student, check if you are given access to a license of either as that is quite common. Jul 16, 2020 Oracle VM VirtualBox is a highly customizable tool designed to run a variety of guest operating systems on most host operating systems. In contrast, Parallels is a more specialized tool, used most often to run Windows as a guest operating system on MacOS devices.
While working with Parallels Desktop and helping our customers, I often go through our knowledgebase as the best source of product-related information. For instance, recently, I helped a customer over the phone convert his virtual machine from VirtualBox to Parallels Desktop by simply going through the steps listed in the related KB article. Everything worked as expected.
It was then, while helping the customer, that I finally noticed the views count–wow, that’s a darn popular article! I hadn’t known how interesting this question is to our customers. Now that I know, I decided to write a blog about it to make all the steps even clearer. So let’s do it! Read on for the instructions on how to convert your existing VirtualBox VM to Parallels Desktop.
Parallels Vs Virtualbox
I’m not going to take a lot of time to tell you why you should switch. Simply put, it’s everything. Functionality, stability and, of course, the variety of the features and cross-platform interaction. Instead, let me jump straight to the point.
Virtualbox Disk Image Download
Step 1
Before converting your VirtualBox to Parallels Desktop, delete the snapshots (if any) in your VirtualBox VM. Snapshots could interfere with the process of conversion. Then shut down your VM.
(Skip straight to the Parallels or VirtualBox sections.) Method One: The Parallels Solution At about $80 for a license, Parallels (Desktop 5 for Mac, in this case) is not exactly free, we know.
Step 2
Install Parallels Desktop. You will see the New Virtual Machine Wizard once it’s set up:
Step 3
Click on the Parallels Desktop icon at the top of the navigation pane and select Open from the dropdown menu. Select your VirtualBox VM—you can simply type in “.vbox” in search box.
Parallels Virtualbox Free
The Parallels Wizard will now show you the expected VM name and location (which you can change) and will prompt you to click Continue.
Parallels Virtualbox Tutorial
Step 4
Now Parallels Desktop will convert your VirtualBox VM to its format.
Believe me or not, but…that’s it! Parallels Desktop will now start your VM and automatically install Parallels Tools—please don‘t interrupt this process. It has to complete on the first VM start.
As you can see, converting VirtualBox to Parallels Desktop couldn‘t be easier! I hope this post was useful, and don’t forget to follow Parallels Support on Twitter.