Add older version of Parallels to macos-12

[zadesai]

Tool name

Parallels + Parallels SDK

Tool license

Paid.

Add or update?

• [ ] Add
• [X] Update

Desired version

older version of Parallels - 19.3.0-54924 and Parallels SDK - 19.3.0-54924

Approximate size

No response

Brief description of tool

On Macos-12 we have Parallels v19.4.1-54985 installed. However, we cannot start a Windows 11 VM using this version. Can we install an older version of Parallels 19.3.0-54924 on Macos-12?

URL for tool's homepage

https://download.parallels.com/desktop/v19/19.3.0-54924/ParallelsDesktop-19.3.0-54924.dmg

Provide a basic test case to validate the tool's functionality.

No response

Platforms where you need the tool

• [ ] Azure DevOps
• [ ] GitHub Actions

Runner images where you need the tool

• [ ] Ubuntu 20.04
• [ ] Ubuntu 22.04
• [ ] Ubuntu 24.04
• [X] macOS 12
• [ ] macOS 13
• [ ] macOS 13 Arm64
• [ ] macOS 14
• [ ] macOS 14 Arm64
• [ ] Windows Server 2019
• [ ] Windows Server 2022

Can this tool be installed during the build?

No response

Tool installation time in runtime

around 1 minute

Are you willing to submit a PR?

Yes

[sureshe456]

@zadesai, Will take a look into this issue. Will keep you posted.

[sureshe456]

@zadesai, We were able to start "Windows 11" VM successfully using Parallels v19.4.1-54985 in our local (used trial version in local since we do not have the license). Can you please check if the issue is related to your license?

Also please share us a workflow with the error you are facing.

[zadesai]

@sureshe456 we use Packer to create and start our Parallels vm. Packer-Parallels plugin uses "prlctl start" command to start the vm. When "prlctl start" is called, we get an operation canceled error.

I am curious about testing the runner macos images locally, can you share the steps for it? I can try running my script locally on them.

[sureshe456]

Hi @zadesai,

Sorry for the delayed response.

We have parallels installed on macOS13 and macOS14 Intel machines now ('macos-13' and 'macos-14-large'). Could you please test once on macOS 12/13/14 images with the newer version as mentioned below since we don't have license to test parallels. If you encounter the same issue, please share the workflow with the error or a screenshot of the error you are facing.

Current Version : https://download.parallels.com/desktop/v20/20.0.1-55659/ParallelsDesktop-20.0.1-55659.dmg
Older Version : https://download.parallels.com/desktop/v19/19.3.0-54924/ParallelsDesktop-19.3.0-54924.dmg

Also please use the below code in your workflow for Installing parallels and validating kernel extensions before installing Windows 11.

    steps: 
    - name: Install Parallels
      shell: bash
      run: |
        brew install --cask parallels
        brew install --cask parallels-virtualization-sdk

    - name: Validate Kernel extension
      run: |
        MAX_RETRIES=2
        RETRY_COUNT=0
        until [ $RETRY_COUNT -ge $MAX_RETRIES ]
        do
          sudo kextload /Applications/Parallels\ Desktop.app/Contents/Library/Extensions/10.9/prl_hypervisor.kext && break
          RETRY_COUNT=$((RETRY_COUNT+1))
          echo "Waiting before retrying..."
          sleep 5
        done

[sureshe456]

Hi @zadesai, We are closing the issue for now. If you face the same issue again, it can be reopened and we will work on it.