Upgrading from Parallels Desktop 4 to 7 on iMac

Hello all,

I've recently purchased a new iMac and I've been migrating all of my old files over from a much older machine (mid 2007 MBP). Parallels successfully migrated, along with what looks like my Windows virtual machine (Windows XP.pvm).

However, since parallels 4 is no longer compatible with the latest OS X, the virtual machine fails to boot. I know that I need to purchase and install the new Parallels Desktop 7 (cannot update from 4 to 7?). However, if I do this, will I lose my old Windows XP virtual machine and have to do a full re-install of Windows as well? I really hope this is not the case, because I had several programs installed on my previous virtual machine that I no longer have access to and I would have to purchase a windows OS as well.

Thanks for your help!
-Brennan

 

Dear Brennan, If you upgrade to the latest version of Parallels Desktop, your previous version will be replaced automatically. After the installation is complete, you can start your virtual machine(s) and they will be automatically upgraded to run with Parallels Desktop 7. In some cases you should wait until it converts to the new format, if necessary. All data will be safe.

Feel free to follow the steps from upgrade guide:
http://kb.parallels.com/en/111871

 

You do not have to re-install Windows. It will be automatically converted to run with the latest version of Parallels Desktop once it is installed. All guest operating systems data will be saved.