New Windows 7 RC on Parallels Desktop for Mac

The Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) was released yesterday. Because it's shiny and new, and I knew a bunch of people would be wondering about it, I gave the new build a test run of my own within Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac (build 3810). Installation was smooth, not much to say. Windows 7 RC started up, Parallels Tools were installed and after a reboot we commenced with what I like to call "Good Time Happy Fun Installation & Test phase" (or GTHFIT phase for short).

 Notice the excellent wallpaper? It's included with Windows 7, and chosen in this case for its capacity to horrify select coworkers of mine.

GTHFIT phase began by installing and setting up a few of my favorite Windows programs, including Google Chrome, Windows Media Player (which of course comes with Windows 7) and a game or two. For those interested in playing Mevo and the Grooveriders while listening to Gorillaz and studying a map of Figi, here's what that experience would look like:

 Google Chrome, Mevo and the Grooveriders and Windows Media Player

Overall, Windows 7 RC ran very well. Everything looks nice, and I personally like the minimalist feel Windows 7 brings by representing open programs in the taskbar with just their icons, plus the ability to drag the order they appear on the taskbar (as if they were tabs in an Internet browser). I've got to say, I’m fairly psyched about the retail release.

The only snag I ran into with the entire process was an unrecognized sound source. It's funny because I had nearly the same experience at home on one of my PCs, natively running Windows 7 beta, trying to use my Creative X-Fi sound card. While I wasn't able to work that out at home, we have found a solution for use in Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac. There's an Intel sound driver which is compatible, and Windows 7 RC recognizes it, so hopefully this helps anyone who runs into a similar issue:

Intel 82801BA/BAM AC’97 audio driver

Update #1: Many AC’97 based drivers seem to work. For those unable to find this or another suitable driver, Parallels e-mail support can provide you with one.

Update #2: It looks like Microsoft has included a compatible AC’97 driver in one of their updates. Make sure you look under “optional” downloads in Windows Updater.

We're officially leaving Windows 7 compatibility in "experimental" status for the time being, so keep that in mind when installing it in Parallels Desktop for Mac. Have comments or questions? Just reply to this blog post, feedback is appreciated!

Comments

[MW]

I installed it as well on my Mac mini yesterday after the release of Windows 7. It worked like a charm and I had no problems with the installation at all. It seems like MS simplified the Windows installation process a lot. Windows7 runs great in Parallels.

[Sean Gibbons]

Awesome! Good to see you're enjoying it. Thanks for the comment, MW.

[Dixon]

Would you happen to know where one can find the Intel driver. Searching the Intel.com download page doesn't seem to generate any driver for that. Thanks.

[Ibis Cejas]

I created a new VM rather than installing over my existing XP install, but while the install went fine, I couldn't get Parallels Tools to install. Any suggestions?

Specs:
Parallels 3.0, Build 5638
Mac OSX 10.5.6
MBP Core Duo, 2.16GHz & 2GB

[Justin]

Could you please supply an URL as to where one could download the Intel driver?
Thanks!

[Murilo Hallgren]

How do I download the Intel 82801BA/BAM AC’97 audio driver ???
My audio worked in Parallels with Windows 7 beta but it isn't working with Windows 7 RC

My iMac 20" 2,66GHz Core2Duo

[Duncan Whitcombe]

Hi,

I installed Windows 7 as soon as it was available from technet. As for the Beta it all seems quite happy except that in coherence mode I lose the task bar which is really weird. This is the same Beta and RC so it is less likely to be a Windows thing.

My VM is set with 2 CPUs and ~1.5GB RAM on a 3GB macbook.

Direct bluetooth support would be nice for within the VM so that I don't have to connect my mobile phone to sync but USB is OK and drivers for the Apple hardware e.g. iSight would be useful too.

Thanks for the thread.

[Nick]

I got it to install fine but it will not connect to the internet. It says it does not have the proper network adapter installed. In Configure it says the Network Adaptor 1 is connected, and set to Shared Networking.

[Bicy]

Install Win7RC w/ parallels 4 went smooth and was relatively quick.

But I'm having the same issues as Nick - Network Adapter issues and no internet connectivity, wireless or wired.

I've been looking for drivers/solutions for a couple of days with no luck.

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Dixon]

Update on the sound driver: On May 10, 2009, Windows update added an AMD AC'97 audio driver and the sound now works in Parallels 4.0 for Mac OS X for Windows 7 RC 7100.

On another front, I have no success pinning any applications to the Taskbar or the Start Menu in a virtualized Windows 7 RC 7100. It works in Boot Camp, but not in Parallels.

System used: MBP 15" (Feb 08), 2.4Ghz, 4GB, 320GB HD, OS X 10.5.6.

[Sean Gibbons]

You rule. Dixon. Thanks for the update.

EDIT: While I've heard mixed results from the latest Windows 7 update, we do have working sound drivers which people can use. It seems like several AC'97 audio drivers are out there, and if you e-mail Parallels support, we'll send you one directly.

https://www.parallels.com/account/flag,0/?request_url=/en/support/desktop/request/

[Pok]

I install Win7RC to Boot Camp it work fine. After then I create new VM base on Boot Camp and found error on configuration process by parallels.

Anyone can solve this problem?

[Caleb Wong]

taskbar preview is disable, how can I use it?

[David Utts]

I have been using windows 7 on my PC and want to convert Parallells on my mac. But I can't figure out how to do the install. When I try to upgrate from my XP Virtual Machine (like I did on my PC) but it says the fiile is corrupt on the CD when I try to "Upgrade"

Now if I try to create a new virtual machine - it does find it and starts to install but not upgrade.

Please advise? Should I just install and delete my XP Virtual Machine? Or is there a better way to "upgrade"

David

[George Shafer]

I installed today on my Mac Pro and had the same problems as above -- no sound or network connection.

Anybody figure this out ?

[George Shafer]

Further to my earlier post -- I found installing Parallel Tools fixes both the audio and networking problem.

[al998]

I have installed Windows 7 on my macbook and the network doesnt work for all the three options shared ,bridged and host only networking any ideas/suggestions?

[Dan]

When will Parallels Security be supported for Windows 7? I just installed the paid version of Desktop 4.0 on my Mac Mini with Win 7 installed via Boot Camp. Everything works fine, but the "install Parallels Security" option is greyed out. Will I be able to install it when Parallels formally supports Win 7?

[Brenda]

How do you turn on Paralles Tools for Windows 7 and Paralles 3????

[Bert Pearlman]

Hi,
I installed Win 7 RC on top of a Win XP Parallels 4(3844) desktop, and solved all my problems except that Win 7 keeps telling me that Parallels Kaspersy will not run because "windows does not trust this program" Can anyone help? Thanks.

Bert

[Andrew]

Hi,

I have installed Windows 7RC1 and the install works as does sound and networking but it refuses to allow any software installs. I get the following error mesage:

"An unknown command-line option [--silent] was specified."

This has happened for legal copies of Office and Visual Studio, any ideas?

Thanks Andrew

[travis gardner]

I am having the same error while trying to install Quickbooks. Any help is appreciated.

[chaz]

It sounds like the installer packages for those programs are trying to run a dos command with an modification (option) to the command that existed in previous versions of windows but not in win7. The command prompt for win7 must have been changed a little from vista- in other words, it sounds like a programming issue. The companies that make those pieces of software will probably have to adjust their code. Good luck with that one guys.