Windows 10 may not boot after installing Сreators Update

Danil@Parallels · Apr 6, 2017

Hey Parallels Users,

The Windows 10 Creators Update brings changes to the system video mode initialization, and your Windows 10 virtual machine may not boot after installing the update.

If you have not updated Windows yet you can defer Windows Creators Updates until you have a Parallels Desktop update installed.

Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac Users
Update your copy to version with Creators Update support, 12.2.0 (41591) or later: click Parallels Desktop icon > Check for Updates... > proceed with download and installation. You can install update manually or try Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac by downloading the latest build at this link.

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Users
Update your copy to version with Creators Update support, 11.2.3 (32663) or later: click Parallels Desktop icon > Check for Updates... > proceed with download and installation. You can install update manually or try Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac by downloading the latest build at this link.

Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac Users
Windows 10 Creators Update is not supported in Parallels Desktop 10.

As a Parallels Desktop 10 user you are still eligible to upgrade to Parallels Desktop 12, our latest version, and fully compatible with Windows 10 Creators Update along with over 100 new features. Click here to purchase your upgrade

Earlier versions of Parallels Desktop for Mac Users
Parallels Desktop 9 and earlier versions have reached End-of-Life state. For more information please visit KB 122533.

For more details see this KB 124151.

W.I · Apr 6, 2017

Deferring windows updates can't be done with Windows 10 home edition.

JK_1 · Apr 7, 2017

In Parallels desktop 11 select "Enable nested virtualization" in the advanced CPU & Memory settings, problem solved.

Ajith1 · Apr 8, 2017

JK_1 said:
In Parallels desktop 11 select "Enable nested virtualization" in the advanced CPU & Memory settings, problem solved.

We are glad to see your active participation and appreciate you for sharing this workaround.

Parallels User · Apr 8, 2017

To Ajith@Parallels
Do you have any idea why the workaround "Enable nested virtualisation" works?
"Daniel@Parallels" mentions "changes to the system video mode initialisation". What does this have to do with virtualisation support?

RonaldM1 · Apr 8, 2017

Have Parallels 12.2.2 installed. Installed Windows Creators update. Booting starts, but after logging on to Windows, the windows screen stays black and the windows desktop is not shown.

Karthik@Parallels · Apr 8, 2017

@RonaldM1 Have you tried the workaround suggested ? If so please let us know. Thanks!

RonaldM1 · Apr 8, 2017

Tried it. Does not work.

Ajith1 · Apr 8, 2017

RonaldM1 said:
Tried it. Does not work.

Try using the option Actions > Reset then check.

RonaldM1 · Apr 8, 2017

Done. Doesn't help.

RonaldM1 · Apr 8, 2017

Tried to safe boot to the VM. Same situation. Black screen with cursor only.

RonaldM1 · Apr 8, 2017

Startup in Low res-resolution video mode, same problem.

ae6dx · Apr 9, 2017

Can I upgrade an existing Windows 10 VM using the Creators update ISO? Or do I have to wait to get the upgrade notification in Windows?

Ajith1 · Apr 9, 2017

ae6dx said:
Can I upgrade an existing Windows 10 VM using the Creators update ISO? Or do I have to wait to get the upgrade notification in Windows?

Yes, you can mount Creators update ISO and upgrade the Windows but before attempting that take a backup or snapshot of the current state.

CKathens · Apr 11, 2017

Has this issue been resolved? As long as problems like this are reported, I am reluctant to update Parallels Desktop (my current version 12.1.3-41532 which is stable) or install Windows 10 Creators update.

Dmitry Geynisman · Apr 11, 2017

CKathens said:
Has this issue been resolved? As long as problems like this are reported, I am reluctant to update Parallels Desktop (my current version 12.1.3-41532 which is stable) or install Windows 10 Creators update.

Yes, please update your copy to version with Creators Update support, 12.2.0 (41591) or later: click Parallels Desktop icon > Check for Updates... > proceed with download and installation. You can install update manually or try Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac by downloading the latest build at this link.

Parallels User · Apr 11, 2017

Danil@Parallels said:
Hey Parallels Users,
The Windows 10 Creators Update brings changes to the system video mode initialization, and your Windows 10 virtual machine may not boot after installing the update.
[...]
Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac Users
Windows 10 Creators Update is not supported in Parallels Desktop 10.
[...]
For more details see this KB 124151.

This is not correct.
Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac (latest) running in El-Capitan, with the option "Enable nested virtualization" will gladly create a VM with the Windows 10 Creators Update 64 bit. Even tried upgrading from the previous Windows 10, and it worked. Both actions fail without the option "Enable nested virtualization".
Can Parallels support explain why the nested irtualization option make such a difference?
Thanks

Mike Boreham · Apr 11, 2017

I created a new VM from the Creators Update ISO without any issues using Parallels 12.

Karthik@Parallels · Apr 11, 2017

@Mike Boreham Sounds good! let us know if we can provide further assistance with Parallels! Thanks.

Parallels User · Apr 12, 2017

Is anyone at Parallels sorting out this boot problem? - since I installed the creator update - after installing parallels 12.2 as advised windows starts but screen is corrupt white with black irregular dashes - I have uninstalled and re-installed parallels but no change (OS is Sierra 10.12.4 on 2016 imac with Retina Screen)