Parallels Desktop lets you run other operating systems, like Windows or Linux, right on your Mac. It creates a virtual machine, or VM, which is like having a complete computer inside an app. Before you can create a VM, you need to install the Parallels Desktop software itself. Let's walk through that process.

First, you'll need to download the installer from the official Parallels website. Always get software directly from the developer to ensure you have the latest, most secure version. The download will be a file ending in .dmg, which is a standard disk image format for Mac applications.

Once the download is complete, open the .dmg file. A new window will appear, usually showing the Parallels Desktop application icon and an arrow pointing to your Applications folder. To install, simply drag the Parallels icon and drop it onto the Applications folder alias right there in the window. That’s it. The app is now installed on your Mac.

Find Parallels Desktop in your Applications folder and open it. The first time you launch it, macOS will ask for your permission to run software from a new developer. You will also need to enter your Mac’s administrator password to grant the app the system-level access it needs to function correctly.

After you've granted the necessary permissions, Parallels will present its main setup window, often called the Installation Assistant. This tool helps you create your first virtual machine. You'll see options to get Windows automatically, install from an image file, or even migrate an existing PC.

For now, the important part is that the Parallels application itself is installed and ready to go. You don't need to create a VM just yet. You can close the Installation Assistant for now if you wish. The core software is set up, and you're ready for the next step: creating your first virtual machine.

With the installation complete, your Mac is now equipped to run virtual machines.