I am using Parallels VM version 13.3.0 on my Mac computer, and I have noticed that Windows 10 is running very slowly on the virtual machine since I upgraded my Mac’s operating system to Catalina. The performance of my Mac seems to be normal, and the activity monitor and task manager indicate that everything is running smoothly.
I am wondering if anyone knows what might be causing this issue.
Thank you.
2 Answers
Introduction
MacOS Catalina is the latest version of the Mac operating system. It comes with a lot of new features and improvements, but it also has its fair share of issues. One of the problems that some users have reported is that Windows 10 runs very slow on Parallels VM after upgrading to Catalina. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on Parallels to run Windows applications on your Mac. In this blog post, we will look at some of the possible causes of this issue and how to fix it.
Outdated Parallels Version
The first thing to check is whether you are running the latest version of Parallels. If you are using an older version of Parallels, it may not be fully compatible with MacOS Catalina, which could be causing the performance issues. To check if you have the latest version of Parallels, follow these steps:
– Open Parallels on your Mac
– Click on the Parallels Desktop menu
– Select Check for Updates
If there is an update available, download and install it. This should fix any compatibility issues and improve the performance of Windows 10 on Parallels VM.
Insufficient RAM
Another possible cause of slow performance on Parallels VM is insufficient RAM. When you run Windows 10 on a virtual machine, it requires a certain amount of RAM to function properly. If your Mac does not have enough RAM, it can cause the virtual machine to run slowly. To check how much RAM your Mac has, follow these steps:
– Click on the Apple menu
– Select About This Mac
– Click on the Memory tab
If your Mac has less than 8GB of RAM, you may need to upgrade the RAM to improve the performance of Parallels VM. To upgrade the RAM, you can either take your Mac to an Apple Store or an authorized service provider, or you can do it yourself if you are comfortable with opening your Mac.
Insufficient Hard Drive Space
Another factor that can affect the performance of Parallels VM is insufficient hard drive space. When you run a virtual machine, it creates a file on your Mac’s hard drive that stores all the data and files associated with the virtual machine. If your Mac’s hard drive is almost full, it can cause the virtual machine to run slowly. To check how much hard drive space you have, follow these steps:
– Click on the Apple menu
– Select About This Mac
– Click on the Storage tab
If your Mac’s hard drive is almost full, you may need to free up some space by deleting files or transferring them to an external hard drive. You can also consider upgrading the hard drive to a larger capacity.
Parallels Settings
The settings in Parallels can also affect the performance of Windows 10 on Parallels VM. To optimize the performance of Parallels VM, you can try the following settings:
– Increase the number of processors: By default, Parallels VM uses one processor. You can increase the number of processors to improve the performance of the virtual machine. To do this, open Parallels VM, click on the Settings menu, and select Hardware. Under CPU & Memory, increase the number of processors to 2 or more.
– Increase the amount of RAM: If you have enough RAM on your Mac, you can increase the amount of RAM allocated to the virtual machine. To do this, open Parallels VM, click on the Settings menu, and select Hardware. Under CPU & Memory, increase the amount of RAM allocated to the virtual machine.
– Disable visual effects: Windows 10 comes with a lot of visual effects that can slow down the virtual machine. To disable visual effects, right-click on the Windows desktop, select Personalize, and choose a theme that does not have any visual effects.
– Disable unnecessary services: Windows 10 comes with a lot of services that run in the background. Some of these services may not be necessary for your virtual machine. To disable unnecessary services, open the Windows Task Manager, click on the Services tab, and disable any services that you do not need.
Hardware Compatibility
If none of the above solutions work, it is possible that your Mac’s hardware is not fully compatible with Parallels VM. This can be especially true if you have an older Mac. To check if your Mac is compatible with Parallels VM, you can check the Parallels website for the system requirements. If your Mac meets the requirements, but you are still experiencing slow performance on Parallels VM, you may need to consider upgrading your Mac.
Conclusion
Running Windows 10 on Parallels VM can be a great way to use Windows applications on your Mac. However, if you are experiencing slow performance after upgrading to MacOS Catalina, it can be frustrating. By following the solutions in this blog post, you can improve the performance of Parallels VM and get back to using Windows 10 on your Mac without any issues. Remember to always check for updates, ensure you have enough RAM and hard drive space, optimize your Parallels settings, and check your hardware compatibility.
Parallels version 13 is not compatible with Catalina. You will need to use version 15 instead. This information is based on the knowledge base article of Parallels which discusses the known issues with macOS 10.15 Catalina and Parallels Desktop for Mac.