parallels crashes - can I get access to windows-based files?

More than one year ago I´ve installed parallels 12.1.3. under OS El Capitan, and Windows Vista used to run without problems. All files I created with windows-programs (like a statistic program and a website creator) were stored in separated files on the virtual "C"-drive.
Since two days I have the serious problem that parallels refuses to start. An error message appears which is quite long, if details could be helpful, I could post the entire message here. As a possible solution, I could delete and re-install parallels (and windows, too), but of course I would have to save all the files I´ve created with my windows programs, before I delete parallels and windows.
I know that the virtual drive C normally is only accessible when parallels is running. Because parallels doesn´t work any more, I want to ask if there is any other way to access windows-data directly from the mac OS without running parallels. Knowing the names of many files, I tried to use the finder´s search function, but without success. I also searched my time capsule, which contains a recent backup of my complete macbook, but I also couldnt find my windows-files and data there.
I´m grateful for any hint how I could manage to recover my windows-files!

 

Hi DanielH19,
Are you getting an error Parallels Desktop Stopped Unexpectedly? If it is, then just uninstall Parallels Desktop, restart the Mac and reinstall Parallels Desktop 12. Check if this helps to resolve the issue.

 

Hi Ajith,
thank you for your reply; indeed the error message says that parallels is stopped unexpectedly.
I already thought about uninstalling and reinstalling parallels, but the crucial question was, whether my windows installation (and, more important, all files I created under windows and saved them on the virtual windows-drive "C") would survive this step.
But if I understand you right, de- and reinstallation of parallels will NOT affect the actual windows installation including installed programms and folders - is that correct?

 

Hello DanielH19, It will not affect your Windows virtual machine. Kindly quit Parallels Desktop 12 and then go to Finder--> Application--> Parallels Desktop then ( Right click and move to trash ). Go to Disk utility--> Macintosh HD and run ' First Aid '. restart the Mac computer completely and then reinstall Parallels Desktop 12 < www.parallels.com/directdownload/pd12 > and check with it.

 

Good morning Ajith,

it worked perfectly! Parallels is running again, Windows is the same as before, and all my files are in their proper places.
Thank you very much - you made my day!!

Daniel

 

Hello DanielH19, You are welcome, Please feel free to reach us any time for any queries regarding Parallels.