Parallels Desktop 20.2.0 brings x86 emulation for Apple silicon and enhanced IT tools

Parallels Desktop has launched version 20.2.0, the third major update in the Parallels Desktop 20 series, focusing on user-centric features for professionals, IT administrators, and general users.

This update introduces an early technology preview of x86 emulation for Apple silicon Macs, allowing users to run Intel-based virtual machines, a feature absent since Parallels Desktop 16.5. Supported systems for x86 emulation include Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2019/2022, and select Linux distributions with UEFI BIOS, though users may face slow boot times, lack of USB support, and no nested virtualization, as it relies solely on Apple's hypervisor. The update also simplifies macOS VM setup on Apple silicon Macs with automatic time synchronization through Parallels Tools. For enterprise users, it enhances IT management with hybrid licensing and single sign-on (SSO) support, integrated with providers like Microsoft Entra ID and Okta.

Additionally, configuration profile deployment via MDM App Catalogs is streamlined, offering configurable activation options. Parallels Desktop now ensures consistent reactivation for managed Macs using predefined configuration profiles, even after uninstallation or reinstallation. Writing tools integration is improved, with Apple-powered tools now available in Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint.