Parallels has just rolled out Parallels Desktop 26, to make it even easier to run Windows on Mac. If you need Windows (or other operating systems) alongside macOS, this update brings day-one support for macOS 26 Tahoe and Windows 11 version 25H2.
It also introduces smarter storage handling, enterprise-grade management tools, and stronger security for IT teams.
With the new release, you can also get 35% off with coupon code “NEW35” when you checkout as a special introductory offer.
Parallels won our vote as the best virtual machine for Mac so here’s a closer look at what’s new.
Table of Contents
macOS Tahoe & Windows 11 Compatibility
Every year, Apple’s updates to the newest versions of macOS cause a scramble for virtualization software to catch up.
With Parallels Desktop 26 the new version works out of the box with macOS 26 Tahoe and Windows 11 25H2.
Parallels has also rebranded its version numbers to match Apple’s new numbering system for macOS Tahoe. That means this jump from version 20 to 26 isn’t a mistake – it’s intentional, so that Parallels stays aligned with macOS moving forward.
Smarter Performance Upgrades
One of the most practical improvements is how Parallels now handles storage reporting.
Your Windows virtual machines will finally see the real available disk space on your Mac, which should cut down on annoying installation errors, random freezes, and low-disk warnings.
The update also smooths out how background processes behave under macOS Tahoe’s new restrictions, making sure features like Coherence Mode continue to work more smoothly.
Enhancements for IT Teams
Parallels Desktop 26 isn’t just for home users, it’s clearly aimed at businesses and IT departments too.
- Enterprise Management Portal – IT admins can now lock down VM policies, from USB access to networking modes, ensuring teams stay compliant.
- SOC 2 Type II Certification – Security, availability, and privacy have been strengthened to meet enterprise standards.
- Windows App Deployment – Instead of dropping a full Windows desktop on users, IT can now deploy single Windows apps directly on macOS.
- Jamf Pro & MDM Support – Admins can monitor Windows update status inside VMs and even automate updates with GitHub scripts.
For organizations juggling dozens (or hundreds) of Macs, this will make management of large networks much easier.
Pricing & Availability
Parallels Desktop 26 is available now in Standard, Pro, Business, and Enterprise editions.
Pricing starts at $64.99/year (with an intro discount of 35% off with coupon code “NEW35” – normally it’s $99.99), or $219.99 if you prefer a perpetual license. A free trial is also available for anyone who wants to test drive it first.
For more on Parallels, check out our full Parallels review or watch us using it in action below.