Parallels Coherence Mode

A. Summary:

Parallels is software for Macintosh computers that enables a Mac computer to run a virtual Windows computer from within the Mac OS. The virtual computer can run in three different modes, including Coherence mode. This Star Point gives an explanation of what Coherence mode is, how it works, and some of the advantages of using it.

B. Key Points:

· Parallels is software for Macintosh computers that enables a Mac to run a virtual Windows computer from within the Mac OS

· The virtual computer can run in Full Screen mode, Windowed mode, or Coherence mode

· In Coherence mode, the Windows OS mostly disappears and the Windows applications run almost as if they were Mac applications

· To switch into Coherence mode, either click the Coherence button on the Parallels toolbar or press the keyboard shortcut, Shift-Ctrl-Option

· When in Coherence mode, both Windows and Mac applications appear in taskbars along the side and bottom of your screen

· You can drag items back and forth between your Mac and a folder on the Windows virtual computer (including a folder on a server)

· For corrections, updates, or clarifications on this Star Point, please email Rob Moore

C. Details:

Parallels software on the Macintosh allows you to run a virtual Windows (either XP or Vista) computer on your Mac. Parallels can run in three different modes:

· Full Screen (in which the Mac OS is hidden and the computer appears to be a normal Windows computer)

· Windowed (in which the Windows virtual computer runs inside a window, the same way any other program, such as Microsoft Word, runs inside a window)

· Coherence mode

In Coherence mode, the Windows OS disappears for the most part. Windows-based programs, such as Outlook, appear to be running directly on your Mac, instead of on a virtual Windows computer. The only real difference in the way your Mac looks is that you will have a Windows Taskbar running along one side of your screen. The “Mac Dock”, with its Mac application icons, will also be running along one side of your screen. You can choose which one runs on which side.

In this graphic, the Mac Dock is on the left and the Windows Taskbar is on the bottom:

To switch into Coherence Mode, first start up your virtual Windows computer. Then, you can either press the shortcut keys – Shift-Ctrl-Option, or, when in Windowed mode, you can click the Coherence button on the Parallels toolbar. The Coherence button looks like this:

When in Coherence Mode, both your Mac and Windows programs will appear on the Dock. You can switch between all programs, Mac and Windows, using the usual keyboard shortcut, Command--Tab. You can drag items back and forth between your Mac and the virtual Windows computer (including a folder on a Windows server).