The Parallels team has issued new software it claims makes it easier to install Windows on a Mac than it is to install on a PC.The Parallels Installation Assistant software now ships with Parallels Desktop for Mac, a solution that lets Intel Mac users install foreign operating systems, such as Windows and Linux installs, on a Mac.The assistant offers an “Express Windows OS Installation Mode” for Windows XP and Windows Vista that completely automates the virtual machine setup and Windows installation processes.Once the processes are complete, the Installation Assistant also automatically installs Parallels Tools, a free set of useful add-ons that improve networking, video, sound and peripheral support. These tools also let users cut, copy and paste data between systems, as well as share files. The Installation Assistant also provides easy setup for other versions of Windows, plus any Linux distribution, FreeBSD, Solaris, OS/2, eComStation and MS-DOS.In addition to this news, a new build of Parallels Desktop for Mac offers Shared Networking, which lets users seamlessly connect their virtual machines to the Internet via a cable modem, LAN, broadband card, Wi-Fi connection or dial-up modem, without any manual network reconfiguration. This same feature also effectively hides virtual machines from the outside world, making them far less likely to be the victim of a hacker attack.Existing Parallels Desktop for Mac users with auto-update enabled will receive the Installation Assistant and Shared Networking feature automatically. Users who do not have auto-update enabled can manually download them by clicking Check for Updates in the “Help” tab of the application menu bar, or download them in a single package directly from the Parallels Download Center. No reinstallation is required.A free 15-day trial version of Parallels Desktop for Mac is available. Otherwise it costs US$79 online.-Macworld staff, Macworld.co.ukRelated Links: Apple Updates Boot Camp Software Apple MacBook Pro Line Gets Intel Core 2 Duo ChipsCheck out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content feature Red Hat embraces hybrid cloud for internal IT The maker of OpenShift has leveraged its own open container offering to migrate business-critical apps to AWS as part of a strategy to move beyond facilitating hybrid cloud for others and capitalize on the model for itself. By Paula Rooney May 29, 2023 5 mins CIO 100 Technology Industry Hybrid Cloud feature 10 most popular IT certifications for 2023 Certifications are a great way to show employers you have the right IT skills and specializations for the job. These 10 certs are the ones IT pros are most likely to pursue, according to data from Dice. By Sarah K. White May 26, 2023 8 mins Certifications Careers interview Stepping up to the challenge of a global conglomerate CIO role Dr. Amrut Urkude became CIO of Reliance Polyester after his company was acquired by Reliance Industries. He discusses challenges IT leaders face while transitioning from a small company to a large multinational enterprise, and how to overcome them. By Yashvendra Singh May 26, 2023 7 mins Digital Transformation Careers brandpost With the new financial year looming, now is a good time to review your Microsoft 365 licenses By Veronica Lew May 25, 2023 5 mins Lenovo Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe