How to share usb drives parallels​?

To share USB drives in Parallels, you’ll need to follow a detailed process that enables seamless integration between your macOS and the virtual machine (VM) running Windows or any other OS within Parallels.

Parallels Desktop is a powerful virtualization software that allows you to run multiple operating systems on a Mac simultaneously. One of its key features is the ability to share USB devices, including USB drives, between macOS and the guest operating system in the virtual machine (VM). This can be especially useful when you need to access files stored on an external drive or use peripherals like printers, cameras, or USB flash drives while working in a virtualized environment.

When you plug a USB device into your Mac, it is typically recognized by macOS first. However, when using Parallels Desktop, you may want to share that device with the virtual machine (VM) for it to be accessible and usable within the guest OS. The process of sharing USB drives in Parallels is straightforward, but it requires some configuration within the Parallels software. Below, we will explore how to share a USB drive from macOS to a Parallels VM, along with troubleshooting tips, advanced settings, and best practices.

Step 1: Connect the USB Drive to Your Mac

Before sharing a USB drive with your Parallels virtual machine, the drive must first be connected to your Mac. Plug your USB drive into one of your Mac’s USB ports. Once connected, macOS should automatically recognize the device and display it on the desktop or in Finder. If the USB drive is not automatically mounted on macOS, try reconnecting it or check the USB connection.

Step 2: Open Parallels Desktop and Your Virtual Machine

Next, launch Parallels Desktop and open the virtual machine (VM) where you wish to share the USB drive. The VM can be running Windows, Linux, or any other supported operating system. Once the VM is open and running, you will be able to access Parallels’ menu to begin the USB drive sharing process.

Step 3: Enable USB Device Sharing in Parallels

To share the USB drive with your VM, you need to enable USB device sharing within Parallels Desktop. Follow these steps:

Go to Parallels Desktop Preferences:

Click on the Parallels Desktop icon in the macOS menu bar and select Preferences from the drop-down menu.

Enable USB Device Sharing:

In the Preferences window, navigate to the Devices tab. Here, you will find a section related to USB devices.

Ensure that the option “Share Mac’s USB devices with the virtual machine” is checked. This setting allows the virtual machine to detect and use USB devices that are connected to the Mac.

Select USB Device for Sharing:

After the setting is enabled, close the Preferences window and return to your running VM.

Step 4: Connect the USB Drive to the Virtual Machine

Once the USB drive is connected to your Mac and USB sharing is enabled in Parallels, you can now connect the USB device to your virtual machine. Here’s how:

Access Parallels Devices Menu:

In the Parallels Desktop menu bar, click on Devices.

Choose USB Drive:

Under the Devices menu, you should see a list of USB devices that are currently connected to your Mac. The USB drive you plugged into your Mac should be listed here.

Select your USB drive from the list, and it will be connected to the virtual machine.

Confirm the USB Drive in the Guest OS:

Once connected, the guest OS (e.g., Windows or Linux) will recognize the USB device. In Windows, you can open File Explorer to confirm that the USB drive appears as an external device. In Linux, you can check the File Manager to see if the USB drive is mounted.

Step 5: Ejecting the USB Drive Safely

When you are done using the USB drive in the virtual machine, it’s important to eject the device properly to avoid data corruption. To safely eject the USB drive from the guest OS:

Eject from the Guest OS:

In Windows, right-click the USB device in File Explorer and select Eject. In Linux, you can right-click the device in the File Manager and choose Eject or Unmount.

Disconnect from Parallels:

After ejecting the USB drive in the guest OS, go back to the Devices menu in Parallels and uncheck the USB device to disconnect it from the virtual machine.

Eject from macOS:

Finally, safely eject the USB drive from macOS by right-clicking the device on your desktop or in Finder and selecting Eject.

Step 6: Advanced USB Device Settings in Parallels

Parallels Desktop offers advanced settings that allow you to fine-tune USB device sharing. These settings can be especially useful if you need to configure specific USB devices, such as printers, cameras, or other peripherals. Here are some additional settings you can explore:

Configure USB Controller Type:

In the VM Configuration window, under Hardware, you can adjust the USB controller settings. You can choose between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. depending on your device’s compatibility.

Assign USB Devices to a Specific VM:

If you want a particular USB device to be connected to a specific virtual machine every time you plug it in, you can configure this in the Devices tab of Parallels Preferences. You can assign the USB device to automatically connect to a particular VM when it is inserted into your Mac.

USB Redirection for Remote VMs:

If you are running a remote VM (such as on Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition), you can configure USB redirection to share USB devices over a network. This is useful if you are working with remote VMs but need to access local USB devices.

Step 7: Troubleshooting USB Device Sharing Issues

While sharing USB drives in Parallels is usually straightforward, you may encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

USB Drive Not Recognized in Guest OS:

Ensure that the USB device is properly connected to your Mac.

Make sure USB device sharing is enabled in Parallels Preferences.

Try reconnecting the USB device to the guest OS by selecting it from the Devices menu in Parallels.

If using a USB hub, try connecting the USB device directly to your Mac’s USB port.

USB Drive Disconnects or Malfunctions:

Check if the USB device is malfunctioning or if it works in macOS outside of Parallels. If it doesn’t work on macOS, the issue might be with the drive itself.

Check the Parallels Desktop settings to ensure the device is assigned correctly.

USB Device Is Not Available to Parallels After Boot:

If the USB device is not automatically available in Parallels after booting the VM, go to Devices > USB and manually select the device.

Step 8: Best Practices for Using USB Devices with Parallels

To ensure a smooth experience when using USB drives in Parallels, consider these best practices:

Use a USB 3.0 Port: For faster data transfer speeds, use a USB 3.0 port when possible, and configure the VM to support USB 3.0.

Avoid Using USB Hubs: While USB hubs can work, they may introduce connectivity issues. Whenever possible, plug USB devices directly into your Mac’s USB ports.

Keep Parallels and macOS Updated: Ensure you are using the latest version of Parallels Desktop and macOS to avoid compatibility issues with USB devices.