Upgrading to Version 4. Question.

Hi there,

I run Windows XP on Desktop for Mac version 3. I would like to upgrade to Version 4 but I also want to do a complete, fresh install of XP. Everything on XP is backed up so no problem there. I would like to completely remove XP and Version 3 first. What is the correct way to do this? I want to start with a totally clean slate. I know there are duplicate files on XP and programs that I will not want to use any more.

Guidance on how to remove XP and Parallels Desktop for Mac 3 would be much appreciated. Then I can start fresh with version 4 and my original Windows XP disk. I don't mind re-doing it all, I just want to do it right!

Thanks so much for your responses. Much appreciate the tips!

Lynn

 

Hi Lynn,

If you are really intent on starting from scratch, then I would suggest you would need to remove the Parallels application from the Applications folder in the normal way on the MAC. I would also suggest you clean out the winXp.hdd and associated files - These and other files are in a Parallels folder in users which can be removed. There may also be a Parallels folder with Library which can be removed if it is not already once the application had been removed.

I guess at this point you can re-install Parallels, though I assume you will need to put on version 3 parallels first if you have purchased the upgrade of version 4.

I think that should be about it. Does anyone else have any other bits or suggestions on starting from scratch?

Kind regards
Kevin

 

You can completely uninstall Parallels 3.0 using the following guide: http://kb.parallels.com/en/4709

A virtual machine itself woul not be removed though, so you would have to (if you need) delete it manually.
By default it is located in either /Users/<username>/Documents/Parallels/ or (if 3.0 was upgraded from 2.0) in /Users/<username>/Library/Parallels/.
This would be a folder named as your virtual machine (i.e. Microsoft Windows XP) and would contain files like winxp.hdd and Microsoft Windows XP.pvs inside. If these folders are backed up in a separate place you can just delete this entire folder.