I have windows 10 running on parallels (version 12). I originally put on a 32 bit version of microsoft office in compatibility mode. I just went to put on a 64 bit version and it wants me to wipe out the 32 bit version before it will install. Since I have a lot of work done on the old system, I want the new system on successfully first. I would therefore like to create a new virtual machine with windows 10 from my existing virtual machine and install the 64 version on that. I got the original Windows 7 from a laptop which I have recycled so I can't go that route. How can I create a new virtual machine from my existing machine?
Hi @JamesB4 We can create a new windows virtual machine and map the hard disk of the old virtual machine to the new Windows as secondary hard disk , so that you can access all the files from old virtual machine in the new Windows, however the applications should be reinstalled once again in new Windows. Please check http://kb.parallels.com/117649 .
Arun, Thank you for your reply. I followed your advice and created a secondary hard disk. However the knowledge article you directed me to thensays, "initialise the new disk inside the Guest Operating system." Can that be done from the existing windows virtual machine? If so, how? As I indicated I have recycled the laptop which provided my licensed Windows OS, so I can't initialize from it. Is there a way to do it directly from the virtual machine? jim B
@JamesB4 Please select the secondary hard disk and map the old virtual machine's hard disk by following http://kb.parallels.com/121578 and let us know if that works.
Arun, Yes http://kb.parallels.com/121578 appears to have worked. Now I can experiment with the new virtual machine without fear of losing all my work on the old. One thing which I did notice on the new however, was that it seemed to be extremely slow--a great deal slower than the old machine. Slow enough that I thought it had stopped. Any thoughts on what might be causing that? At any rate, thank you very much for your help in getting me this far. I was lost on how to proceed. jim B
Please follow http://kb.parallels.com/112091 to know how to improve the performance on the virtual machine. Please reach us anytime for further assistance.
