When you chose the custom install option in Parallels Desktop for Mac, the last thing you did was insert your Windows Install CD and click the 'Finish' button, which started the installation process. This guide starts at that point. (If by any chance you chose to use a Windows XP installation CD, you'll need to create another custom virtual machine for Vista.) I'll walk you through the process of installing Vista, as well the Parallels Tools, which will make it much easier to use Vista with your Mac.
If you stumbled on this step-by-step guide without first creating a custom virtual machine, you can use Parallels Desktop for Mac: Custom Windows Install to create one and then return to this guide.
Start the Windows Vista Installation
- Select the language to install. Use the dropdown menu to select a language; for this guide, select English.
- Choose the time and currency formats. Use the dropdown menu to select the style you want to use for time and currency.
- Choose the keyboard layout style. Use the dropdown menu to pick a keyboard input language.
- Click the ‘Next’ button.
- Click the ‘Install Now’ button to start the installation process.
