How to safely update Linux without risking Parallels Tools breaking

Hi,

This is a problem I've come across quite a lot and I'd like to know if there is a generic approach to avoiding it. Classic case in point. I just installed Debian 9 from within the Parallels Desktop File > New menu. Installation went fine, and Parallels Desktop also installed fine. I began the setup of the different applications I need, and then I saw a notification about system updates. I took the advice and ran the update. Lo and behold, Parallels Tools were now broken; no access to shared network folders, and various other things. I tried all of the solutions I've seen for re-installing Parallels Tools (the PT menu had Installing Parallels Tools greyed out). I ended up deleting this virtual machine and reinstalling it. A waste of an hour or so.

So what is the general advice here? How do I determine whether a suggested update is going to blow away my Parallels Tools?

 

Hello @IanP1 Parallels Support Here! In order to fix the issue, we would request you to follow the below steps and check if it helps.

Please execute the following commands in the terminal window with root permissions to install packages required for kernel modules building:

uname -r

apt-get install linux-headers-$(uname -r) make gcc

In the second command uname -r should be substituted with an output of the first command.

After successful installation of these packages please try to install Parallels Tools again.