By default, Parallels uses the Windows Express installation option. This option creates a virtual machine with settings that will work just fine for most individuals. You're not committed for life if you select this option; you can always customize the virtual machine parameters later if you need to.
The real advantage of Windows Express is that it's fast and easy; it also does most of the work for you. It will collect most of the information that Windows needs by asking you some strategic questions. Once you supply the answers, you can go off and have lunch, and return to a fully installed version of Windows that's ready to run. This is a much more pleasant Windows installation than any PC user has ever experienced. The down side is that the Windows Express method doesn't let you directly configure many settings, including type of network, memory, disk space, and other parameters, although as I mentioned earlier, you can always tweak these and other settings later.
Using the OS Installation Assistant
- Launch Parallels, usually located at /Applications/Parallels.
- Click the ‘New’ button in the Select a Virtual Machine window.
- Select the installation mode that you want Parallels to use.
- Windows Express (recommended)
- Typical
- Custom
- Windows Express (recommended)
- For this installation, select the Windows Express option and click the ‘Next’ button.
