User guide

Updating Parallels Workstation 36
Auto-Updating Parallels Workstation in Windows
Parallels Workstation includes an auto-update feature. When starting Parallels Workstation for
the first time, you will receive a notification which asks if you agree for Parallels Workstation to
perform regular checks for updates: "Parallels Workstation is configured to
automatically check for updates every week. To do this your host
computer should be connected to the Internet. You may choose
another checking period or disable this feature in the
Preferences/Common screen." We recommend you to turn this feature on so you will
be automatically informed when Parallels Workstation updates are released.
Parallels Workstation will regularly access the Parallels update server and will check if a newer
version than the one currently installed is available. By default, update checking is performed
once a week. Checks are performed in background mode, meaning that you will not be notified
until an update is found. If Parallels Workstation detects that update is available, auto-update
asks for installation confirmation with the following message: "A newer version of the
Parallels Workstation is available. Do you want to start
Parallels Update Wizard?" If you want to update, click
Yes to launch the Parallels
Update Wizard that will download the update.
Requirements to Your Computer
To be able to use auto-update feature:
 your computer must be connected to Internet.
Note. If you have firewall and/or antivirus software installed in your primary operating system,
they may display warnings when Parallels Workstation tries to access Internet for update. Please
configure them properly to allow Parallels Workstation to perform checks.
Configuring Auto-Update
You can specify the frequency of update checks, i.e. daily, weekly, or monthly, in the
Automatically checks for update option in the Common (page 90) tab of the Preferences window.
Auto-update checking can be disabled by selecting
Never in the same setting. You can enable
the auto-update feature at a later time by revisiting this menu.