You’re busy working, studying, or maybe just browsing your favorite websites, and then — the dreaded spinning pinwheel cursor pops up on your screen, and your clicks do nothing. Nada.  

While unresponsive apps can be frustrating, the Mac “force quit” feature resolves that issue. 

Like using Ctrl>Alt>Delete to access the task manager on Windows devices, force quit allows Mac users to force an unresponsive app to close so they can get back to work quickly.  

In this post, I’ll explore several different ways to use force quit to close unresponsive apps, explain why this happens, and provide tips on how to prevent it.  

Want to make the most of your Mac? Parallels Toolbox  unlocks a world of productivity on your computer.  

How to force quit on a Mac using the Apple menu 

One way to force quit unresponsive apps is by using the Apple menu. While this isn’t the simplest method, it is straightforward.   

1. Click the Apple logo in the upper-left corner of your Mac screen  

2. Click “Force Quit Finder” from the drop-down menu 

3. A window will pop up displaying currently open apps. Select the app you want to force quit.  

4. Click the “Force Quit” button at the bottom of the window.  

The unresponsive app will be forced to close. If you still need to use it, you can reopen the app, which will likely solve any issues.  

If this doesn’t work for some reason (or if your entire screen is frozen), you can use a few other tricks to force quit.  

How to force quit on a Mac using keyboard shortcuts 

If you were a Windows user in another life, this is like the Ctrl>Alt>Delete shortcut.  

The force quit shortcut is especially useful if several apps are not responding or if you’re not sure which app is causing the issue.  

1. Press the Option + Command + Escape buttons at the same time 

2. Choose the unresponsive app 

3. Tap the “Force Quit” button  

That’s it! This shortcut is quick and satisfying (especially when you’re frustrated by apps not responding!), but if Apple has you covered if need another option.  

How to force quit on a Mac using the Activity Monitor 

The Activity Monitor on your Mac provides detailed info about your computer’s hardware and software.  

It’s very similar to the Task Manager on a Windows device — and it’s another way you can access force quit. Here’s how:  

1. Open Finder (generally located on your toolbar.)  

2. Look for the Activity Monitor app icon or use the search function. Click to open. 

3. Under the Process Name list, locate the app that is not responding. Click to highlight the app.  

4. At the top of the Activity Bar window, tap Stop, then Force Quit.  

This action will force the app to close immediately. Remember that you might lose some data if you have files open or fields within the app filled out.  

While the Activity Monitor is useful for forcing unresponsive apps to close, it does a lot more. You can also monitor system performance, see how much memory is available, and troubleshoot by seeing which apps are hogging resources.  

Why do apps freeze on my Mac? 

There are multiple reasons why an app might freeze.  

Sometimes, you must give your computer the old “turn it off and turn it back on again” treatment.  

However, if apps are constantly freezing, there’s a good chance your computer is running out of memory.  

If your Mac is running low on RAM or has a high CPU usage, you might need more resources to run certain apps. Deleting apps and files you no longer need will solve this issue.  

We recommend using the Parallels Toolbox to clean up junk files, delete temporary files, and eliminate applications you aren’t using. These actions will free up RAM (memory), which will get rid of that pesky spinning beach ball of death.  

Unfreeze your Mac with force quit  

While force quit is a valuable tool for closing unresponsive apps, use it with caution. Closing an app that is frozen can cause you to lose some data.  

For example, if you’re using Word, you may lose some of your work. If you were filling out a form, you may need to start over.  

To prevent apps from freezing, restart your Mac regularly and ensure your OS is up to date. Use the Activity Monitor to keep an eye on your RAM and delete old files regularly.  

The Parallels Toolbox (included in the Pro Edition of Parallels Desktop) makes it easy to keep your Mac clutter-free and prevent unresponsive apps from derailing your day.  

The post How to Force Quit Unresponsive Apps on Your Mac appeared first on Parallels Blog.

The Hide Menu Icons tool in Parallels® Toolbox can help you manage these icons and hide the ones that you don’t need all that often. In this blog post I will show you how to use this tool.

Using the Hide Menu icons tool, you can just drag the icons that you don’t need to see all the time to a “Hidden icons” area. This is very easy to do as you can see in Video 1. As also shown in the video, quickly accessing these hidden icons is also easy to do.

While it is possible in the macOS to hide some of these menu bar icons (Figure 2), this is a separate, individual action for each icon, and to unhide the icon, even momentarily, requires undoing this action. This can quickly become tedious. The Hide Menu Icons tool handles this in a uniform action for all the tools, and momentarily unhiding an icon only requires you to move the cursor to the top of the screen.

I hope this tool helps you take control of the menu bar icons on your Mac.

Do you have an idea for another tool that can be added to Parallels Tools? If so, let us know in the Parallels® Forums.

The post How to Control the Icons in the Mac Menu Bar Using Parallels Toolbox appeared first on Parallels Blog.

There are at least 800 million videos uploaded to YouTube, meaning there are millions of hours of videos available for viewing.  

Sometimes you might wish to have one of these videos on your own computer or phone—maybe your internet connection is frustratingly unreliable, or you want to save the video and watch it later during a flight.  

Whatever the reason, with Parallels Toolbox, you’ll be happy to know that it’s possible to effortlessly download a YouTube video for watching offline.  

Parallels Toolbox presents the ultimate solution for downloading YouTube, Vimeo, and other web-based videos directly to your computer.  

With compatibility for both macOS and Windows, the Parallels Toolbox Download Video tool stands unrivaled among competing utilities with similar capabilities.  

You don’t have to worry about sacrificing quality; with one click, you can save YouTube videos in high resolution up to 4k. 

In this blog post, I’ll uncover how Parallels Toolbox transforms how we watch and appreciate our favorite YouTube content.  

Keep reading for a step-by-step guide on downloading YouTube and other web-based videos to your computer. Can’t wait to try it out? Download a free trial of Parallels Toolbox now.  

How to download a video from YouTube on a Mac 

Ready to start downloading YouTube videos to your Mac with Parallels Toolbox? Here’s a quick step-by-step guide. 

1. Download, install, and open Parallels Toolbox. 

2. Search and launch the Download Video tool from the dashboard. 

3. Copy and paste the video link or drag and drop the video to instantly download your favorite video. 

4. Open your new video file and enjoy! 

If I download a video from YouTube using the Safari web browser, is there a difference? 

Using the Safari’s web browser, you can make the process even easier and utilize the Safari plug-in to save your favorite video instantly. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide. 

1. Download, install, and open Parallels Toolbox. 

2. Search and launch the Download Video tool from the dashboard. 

3. Enable the Safari extension and use the Safari plug-in to instantly download your favorite video. 

4. Open your new video file and enjoy! 

Is it safe to download a video from YouTube to my Mac? 

Using a trustworthy application is the key to minimizing the risk of malware or security issues.  

If you use reputable software or services, such as Parallels Toolbox, downloading a YouTube video to your Mac is safe. 

YouTube offers its own service: the “Add to Offline” feature.  

The downside is that this feature is exclusively available with their premium subscription, YouTube Red, at the cost of $12 per month ($144 per year).  

On the other hand, Parallels Toolbox has over 30+ versatile tools, all for a mere $24.99 per year.  

So, if you’re looking to download YouTube videos for offline enjoyment, Parallels Toolbox emerges as a safe, reputable, and far more wallet-friendly option that also comes packed with a plethora of handy tools designed to enhance your Mac or PC experience. 

How to download a video from YouTube on a Windows 10 

Ready to start downloading YouTube videos on your Windows 10 PC with Parallels Toolbox? Here’s a quick step-by-step guide. 

1. Download, install, and open Parallels Toolbox. 

2. Search and launch the Download Video tool from the dashboard. 

3. Copy and paste the video link or drag and drop the video to instantly download your favorite video. 

4. Open your new video file and enjoy! 

Is it legal to download videos from YouTube? 

The simple answer is that it depends. 

Navigating the legal landscape* of downloading videos from YouTube isn’t completely black and white.  

YouTube’s Terms of Service make it clear that you’re not allowed to download content from the platform unless you have explicit permission from the content creator or YouTube provides a built-in “download” button. 

Here comes the gray area—Some content creators do grant permissions or offer their videos under a Creative Commons license.  

This generosity makes this content open source and allows you to share and reuse the content under certain conditions, making downloading videos for personal use legal. 

When downloading YouTube videos, keep in mind that respecting copyright laws and sticking to the platform’s terms of service is a must.  

Unauthorized downloading, sharing, or distributing copyrighted content can result in legal repercussions that nobody wants to face.  

If you find yourself uncertain about the legality of downloading a particular video, it’s always better to play it safe and refrain from downloading. And remember that you are doing so at your own risk!  

Start easily downloading YouTube videos with Parallels Toolbox 

In the past, there was a lengthy series of steps required to download videos from YouTube. Parallels Toolbox simplifies the process into four easy steps.  

Parallels Toolbox is the most convenient way to watch videos offline since it works with both Mac and Windows computers and supports resolutions up to 1080p.  

Not to mention, for a fraction of the cost of YouTube Red, you can enjoy over 30+ versatile tools that are designed to enhance your overall computing experience. 

So, what are you waiting for? Download Parallels Toolbox now and start enjoying your favorite YouTube content offline. 

*Note that the information in this post should be considered general in nature and not considered legal advice. 

The post How to download a YouTube Video with Parallels Toolbox: A step-by-step guide appeared first on Parallels Blog.

It can be quite handy to keep your Mac awake and avoid your display from dimming or going to sleep. According to Apple® support pages, you can set your Mac to go to sleep after a specified duration of activity or to wake up at a specific time. You can also use a terminal command to achieve this. However, what if you need to keep your Mac awake for a very specific amount of time, or keep it from going to sleep occasionally versus indefinitely? This is where one-click tools included in Parallels® Toolbox come in handy, like Do Not Sleep and Presentation Mode. 

Parallels Toolbox is our all-in-one solution with over 30 tools for macOS® and Windows. With just one click, easily problem-solve to save space on your hard drive, create high-quality content, and quickly optimize your computer for a presentation. Our economical suite of tools replaces the need for multiple applications. 

Do Not Sleep is an easy-to-use tool included with the full Parallels Toolbox suite for macOS or Windows.

Presentations, transferring data, or rendering a video are just a few reasons why you may need your Mac to stay awake. This tool will stop the Mac display from sleeping, and you can customize the duration of the Do Not Sleep tool, too. 

The customizable duration allows users to work worry-free. However, Do Not Disturb just prevents your display from going to sleep. If your needs are a bit more complex, we have another fantastic tool in the Parallels Toolbox suite. 

Presentation Mode disables all distractions to provide a better presentation. Students or employees alike can gain tremendous value to their presentation with this tool. 

While the screenshot above shows Presentation Mode with the duration set to “Until the end of the day,” you have control over the duration:

The ability to customize the duration is helpful for getting set up for your presentations, ensuring you’re hyper-focused, and disabling potentially embarrassing notifications. 

With its economical value and subscription benefits, Parallels Toolbox beats the competition for providing a solution to keep your Mac awake. Not only is it more economical (you receive over 30 additional tools), you also receive more tools on a regular basis added to the annual subscription. With 24/7 support, you’ll always be working with peace of mind with Parallels Toolbox.

Are you looking to download Parallels Toolbox and try it for free for 7 days prior to deciding if you’d like to buy it? No worries, download it for macOS or Windows! 

The post How to Keep Your Mac Awake appeared first on Parallels Blog.

It’s no secret that you can free up a lot of space on a Mac® hard drive simply by clearing the cache.

In fact, I managed to clear an enormous 9.73 GB of cache and cookies on my Mac just before I wrote this post.

The best part? You don’t have to be a computer guru to do the same. All it really takes is a few clicks to drastically optimize the hard drive.

It’s worth your time to dig a little bit deeper into why and when we need the cache—and when it’s time to get rid of it.

In this post, we’ll tell exactly what you need to know about this technology and provide a step-by-step guide on how to clear cache.

To get started, I want to show you how cache actually works, and why you should start optimizing it immediately.

What Is Cache and Why Do We Need It?

Simply speaking, cache is a collection of data that duplicates the original information you processed on your computer. Whenever you use any application, your Mac will store some sort of data in order to (potentially) request it faster in the future. As an example, these could be temporary files (such as images and HTML documents) created by a web browser or instant messenger (including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Skype).

If a user edits a lot of photos and videos, he may notice that the editor also saves temporary data on the hard disk. Video editors with the function of displaying applied effects during editing don’t always delete such files at the end of work—and the hard drive starts to explode in size.

Besides the obvious desire to clean up disk space, there may be other reasons for deleting caches, including:

• Correcting problems with webpages that load obsolete data.
• Deleting personal data stored on websites and applications.
• Forcing the deletion of obsolete cached information in the application.

If you need to clear all cache files with just one click, download a free trial of Parallels® Toolbox Disk and System Pack. The software will evaluate your log files, cache, trash, browser data, mail cache, mobile apps, and updates—and instantly delete them per your request.

If you want to do that manually, follow the steps below.

How to Clear System Cache in macOS

Step 1: Terminate all running applications using the Cmd+Q key combination.

Step 2: Open a Finder window and use Shift+Cmd+G to navigate to the directory

~/Library/Caches.

Step 3: Manually open every folder, select all the files using Cmd+A, and move everything to the Trash. If required, enter your password.

Note: It’s not advisable to delete cache folders. Keep them to avoid any system conflicts and only delete the files inside.

Step 4: Once again, using the Shift+Cmd+G key combination, now go to the folder

/Library/Caches.

Step 5: Do the same thing—manually delete all files inside each folder there.

Step 6: Reboot. The first time the system boots may take a little longer than usual. This is normal.

If there are multiples user accounts in the system, you have to repeat the same steps for each of them.

How to Clear Cache in Safari

By default, Safari doesn’t provide the functionality to clear cache. But we found a workaround.

In order to open a hidden feature, you have to pretend to be a developer. And voila! It works like magic.

Step 1: From the browser menu, select Safari -> Preferences -> Advanced.

Step 2: Enable the “Show Develop menu in menu bar” option and close the preferences window.

Step 3: From the browser menu, select Develop -> Empty caches.

Step 4: All the caches are successfully cleared. Unfortunately, there isn’t any added functionality to choose what exactly to delete, but your browsing history will remain untouched.

Now you can refresh your Safari browser using Command+R shortcut.

How to Clear Cache in Google Chrome

To delete all the cached images and files in Chrome, navigate to “Clear browsing data” in Settings and clear the data.

Step 1: In the Chrome window, click Chrome -> Clear Browsing data in the top left corner.

Hint: Alternatively, use a default Chrome shortcut, Command+Shift+Delete. 

Step 2: In the “Clear browsing data” window, select the “Cached images and files” option. Choose the time range, depending on how much cache you want to eliminate.

Step 3” Click the “Clear data” button to free up the space.

How to Clear Cache in Mozilla Firefox

Clearing the cache in the latest Firefox versions is a relatively easy task. Everything is done within one small window.

Step 1: From the Firefox window main menu, open History > Clear Recent History.

Step 2: Select only “Cache” and the preferred time range to clear the data.

Step 3: Click “Clear Now” to free up space.

There are advanced settings and add-ons that allow you to clear the cache in Firefox automatically every time when Firefox closes, but that may slow down your experience.

Applications Can Do Everything for You

You can, of course, spend time deleting caches manually, but why waste so much energy if there are applications that do it for you?

Parallels Toolbox is a powerful program that allows you to clear the cache in one click. This tool will remove caches and find other junk files on macOS, such as outdated backups and large files.

Let’s break down the benefits of Parallels Toolbox:

1. Add any of the 30+ tools right in the tray menu for easy access.

2. It’s fast.

I’ve already mentioned all the time the right tool will save you from the manual tasks. But on top of that, Parallels Toolbox is one of the fastest and most reliable software currently presented in its market niche.

3. Get automatic notifications.

4. Delete large files.

The Clean Drive tool allows you to find and delete large applications and files that you may not be aware of.

5. Free up unused RAM memory—plus 30+ other perfectly designed tools.

With Parallels Toolbox you can download your favorite online clips from Youtube and Facebook, make a gif, record a video of your screen, enjoy productivity apps and so much more!

Try Parallels Toolbox with a free trial!

The post How to Clear Cache and Cookies on a Mac (9.73 GB Gone!) appeared first on Parallels Blog.

Available for Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Parallels Toolbox for Windows:

11+ time-saving tools to help optimize your workday.

• Optimized for presenters, teachers, students, small business owners, chronic multitaskers, and online trainers to have a simple set of tools.
• Quickly get ready for a presentation with easy access to hide a messy desktop, Launch multiple applications with one click, or Lock Screen when you’re done with work.
• Avoid embarrassing notifications during your presentations with tools like Do Not Disturb, Do Not Sleep, and Presentation Mode.
• Micro-manage your productivity with handy time management tools like Alarm, Date Countdown, Stopwatch, and Timer.
• Economical cost of US$9.99 per year for macOS or Windows.

Whether you’re a Mac® or PC user, eventually you’ll find yourself needing to count down to a fun event, avoid all distractions on your machine, or effortlessly present like a pro. Parallels® Toolbox Presentation Pack is a simple yet powerful set of tools to fix common problems and equip your workday with the right tool for the job at hand. We have the building blocks for better productivity all available with one click. 

All tools included in Parallels Toolbox Presentation Pack: Time, Airplane Mode, Do Not Disturb, Do Not Sleep, Eject Volumes, Hide Desktop, Launch, Lock Screen, Presentation Mode, Record Audio, and Switch Resolution—plus tools to come! Subscribe today and unlock the potential of your Mac or PC for only US$9.99 per year.

Visit the Parallels Toolbox Presentation Pack product page to see the tools in action, download a trial for macOS or Windows, or buy today!

 “In general, I’m not a fan of multipurpose software or devices, but Parallels Toolbox ($19.95 a year for Windows or Macs with a 7-day free trial) is an exception. It’s a simple suite of utilities that’s always handy. And, like a handyman with a real toolbox, I found myself opening it up several times a day….”

• Forbes, Larry Magid (View article)

“The new Parallels Toolbox suite of easy-to-use tools simplifies tedious everyday computing chores down to just a click or two, so PC users can quickly get the job done and supercharge their productivity.”

• CIO, PCWorld, ComputerWorld, CMO, CSO, ARN and TechWorld 

“I work with a lot of images in a day, and being able to carry out batch resizing or switch between file formats easily is a massive time saver. I’ve used this to batch convert well over 100 images and it handled it quickly, easily and effortlessly, and was much better than my previous workflow that involved either Photoshop or using SnagIt.” 

• ZDNet, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes (View article)

“Parallels Toolbox is a Swiss Army knife for Windows 10. Parallels Toolbox brings together some of the most popular tools for productivity and wraps them nicely into one convenient space.”

• WindowsCentral, Sean Endicott (View article)

”Parallels Toolbox update includes Presentation Mode, video editing tools, much more. Parallels Toolbox, an ever-growing suite of handy single-purpose tools that simplify common computing tasks to just a click or two, has received a major update for both Mac and PC users. New tools and key features include presentation mode, capture for lengthy webpages, free memory reclaim, quick resolution switching, and time-saving tools to download and edit videos or make a GIF. A Parallels Business Edition also launched today, which gives IT the control they need to easily provide employees with tools to be more productive.”

• 9to5Mac (View article) 

“With Parallels Toolbox Business Edition, IT administrators can manage and deploy tools in one go, saving time and reducing help desk tickets according to the needs of each employee.” 

• Mac Treasure Tracing Club, Japan 

Tim Cook said it best: “For us, the most important thing we can do is raise people up—that is, either by giving the ability to do things they could not otherwise do, allow them to create things they couldn’t otherwise create. It’s about giving them tools; it is about empowering people.”

Here at Parallels, we’re excited to empower users with Parallels Toolbox Presentation App for both macOS and Windows. We simply can’t wait to hear what you think about it! Get started with a 7-day trial for free or buy for US$9.99 per year.

The post New! Parallels Toolbox Presentation Pack for macOS or Windows appeared first on Parallels Blog.

Available for Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Parallels Toolbox for Windows:

8+ time-saving tools to help optimize your workday.

• Designed for creative individuals, small business owners, vloggers, and online trainers.
• Quickly create high-quality content with one-click tools such as Make GIF, Take Screenshot, Screen Record, and Download Audio.
• Be in control of your built-in camera to take photos and record videos.
• Easily convert or resize your content for your creative projects.
• Download your favorite Facebook, YouTube, or Vimeo videos when you want for when you need them with our Download Video tool.
• Low cost of US$9.99 per year for macOS or Windows.

Whether you’re a Mac® or PC user, eventually you’ll find yourself needing to utilize and optimize your machine. Parallels Toolbox Screen and Video Pack is a simple yet powerful set of tools to fix common problems and equip your workday with the right tool for the job at hand. We have the building blocks for better productivity—all available with one click. 

All tools included in Parallels Toolbox Screen and Video Pack: Camera, Record Screen, Take Screenshots, Convert Video, Download Audio, Download Video, Make GIF, and Resize Images—plus more tools to come! Subscribe today and unlock the potential of your Mac or PC for only US$9.99 per year.

Visit the Parallels Toolbox Screen and Video Pack product page to see the tools in action, download a trial for macOS or Windows, or buy today!

 “In general, I’m not a fan of multipurpose software or devices, but Parallels Toolbox ($19.95 a year for Windows or Macs with a 7-day free trial) is an exception. It’s a simple suite of utilities that’s always handy. And, like a handyman with a real toolbox, I found myself opening it up several times a day….”

• Forbes, Larry Magid (View article)

“The new Parallels Toolbox suite of easy-to-use tools simplifies tedious everyday computing chores down to just a click or two, so PC users can quickly get the job done and supercharge their productivity.”

• CIO, PCWorld, ComputerWorld, CMO, CSO, ARN and TechWorld 

“I work with a lot of images in a day, and being able to carry out batch resizing or switch between file formats easily is a massive time saver. I’ve used this to batch convert well over 100 images and it handled it quickly, easily and effortlessly, and was much better than my previous workflow that involved either Photoshop or using SnagIt.” 

• ZDNet, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes (View article)

“Parallels Toolbox is a Swiss Army knife for Windows 10. Parallels Toolbox brings together some of the most popular tools for productivity and wraps them nicely into one convenient space.”

• WindowsCentral, Sean Endicott (View article)

”Parallels Toolbox update includes Presentation Mode, video editing tools, much more. Parallels Toolbox, an ever-growing suite of handy single-purpose tools that simplify common computing tasks to just a click or two, has received a major update for both Mac and PC users. New tools and key features include presentation mode, capture for lengthy webpages, free memory reclaim, quick resolution switching, and time-saving tools to download and edit videos or make a GIF. A Parallels Business Edition also launched today, which gives IT the control they need to easily provide employees with tools to be more productive.”

• 9to5Mac (View article) 

“With Parallels Toolbox Business Edition, IT administrators can manage and deploy tools in one go, saving time and reducing help desk tickets according to the needs of each employee.” 

• Mac Treasure Tracing Club, Japan 

Tim Cook said it best: “For us, the most important thing we can do is raise people up—that is, either by giving the ability to do things they could not otherwise do, allow them to create things they couldn’t otherwise create. It’s about giving them tools; it is about empowering people.”

Here at Parallels, we’re excited to empower users with Parallels Toolbox Screen and Video Pack for both macOS and Windows. We simply can’t wait to hear what you think about it! Get started with a 7-day trial for free, or buy for US$9.99 per year.

The post New! Parallels Toolbox Screen and Video Pack for macOS or Windows appeared first on Parallels Blog.

Available for Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Parallels Toolbox for Windows:

11+ time-saving tools to help optimize your workday.

• Created with both basic and power users in mind. Also made for small business owners, developers, system administrators, or IT users who need to save space with a simple set of tools.
• Easily optimize your hard drive storage with tools like Clean Drive, Find Duplicates, or Free Memory to free up extra disk space.
• Be in complete control of your privacy with system tools such as Airplane Mode, Disable Camera, Lock Screen, and Mute Microphone.
• Manage your ever-changing workflow with Archive for your files, Eject Volumes for external drives, or Switch Resolution for monitors.
• Affordable cost of $9.99 per year for macOS or Windows.

Whether you’re a Mac® or PC user, eventually you’ll find yourself needing to utilize and optimize your machine. Parallels Toolbox Disk and System Pack is a simple yet powerful set of tools to fix common problems and equip your workday with the right tool for the job at hand. We have the building blocks for better productivity—all available with one click. 

All tools included in Parallels Toolbox Disk and System Pack: Archiver, Camera, Airplane Mode, Clean Drive, Download Video, Eject Volumes, Find Duplicates, Free Memory, Lock Screen, and Mute Microphone—plus more tools to come! Subscribe today and unlock the potential of your Mac or PC for only US$9.99 per year.

Visit the Parallels Toolbox Disk and System Pack product page to see the tools in action, download a trial for macOS or Windows, or buy today!

“In general, I’m not a fan of multipurpose software or devices, but Parallels Toolbox ($19.95 a year for Windows or Macs with a 7-day free trial) is an exception. It’s a simple suite of utilities that’s always handy. And, like a handyman with a real toolbox, I found myself opening it up several times a day….”

• – Forbes, Larry Magid (View article)

“The new Parallels Toolbox suite of easy-to-use tools simplifies tedious everyday computing chores down to just a click or two, so PC users can quickly get the job done and supercharge their productivity.”

• – CIO, PCWorld, ComputerWorld, CMO, CSO, ARN and TechWorld 

“I work with a lot of images in a day, and being able to carry out batch resizing or switch between file formats easily is a massive time saver. I’ve used this to batch convert well over 100 images and it handled it quickly, easily and effortlessly, and was much better than my previous workflow that involved either Photoshop or using SnagIt.” 

– ZDNet, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes (View article)

“Parallels Toolbox is a Swiss Army knife for Windows 10. Parallels Toolbox brings together some of the most popular tools for productivity and wraps them nicely into one convenient space.”

• – WindowsCentral, Sean Endicott (View article)

”Parallels Toolbox update includes Presentation Mode, video editing tools, much more. Parallels Toolbox, an ever-growing suite of handy single-purpose tools that simplify common computing tasks to just a click or two, has received a major update for both Mac and PC users. New tools and key features include presentation mode, capture for lengthy webpages, free memory reclaim, quick resolution switching, and time-saving tools to download and edit videos or make a GIF. A Parallels Business Edition also launched today, which gives IT the control they need to easily provide employees with tools to be more productive.”

• – 9to5Mac (View article) 

“With Parallels Toolbox Business Edition, IT administrators can manage and deploy tools in one go, saving time and reducing help desk tickets according to the needs of each employee.” 

– Mac Treasure Tracing Club, Japan 

Tim Cook said it best: “For us, the most important thing we can do is raise people up—that is, either by giving the ability to do things they could not otherwise do, allow them to create things they couldn’t otherwise create. It’s about giving them tools; it is about empowering people.”

Here at Parallels, we’re excited to empower users with Parallels Toolbox Disk and System Pack for both macOS and Windows. We simply can’t wait to hear what you think about it! Get started with a 7-day trial for free, or buy for USD $9.99 per year.

The post New! Parallels Toolbox Disk and System Pack for macOS or Windows appeared first on Parallels Blog.

Sean’s professional career skills include project management, leadership, and public speaking, which have gainfully employed him with a Microsoft Gold Partner, LearnIT. LearnIT is a global training partner and offers qualified certification programs in SharePoint, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7, Windows 8, .NET, SQL Server, Cisco, Citrix, Security, and CompTIA. (Get 50% off your first in person or virtual class with LearnIT here)

Sean currently works with individuals, teams, and organizations all over the world, helping them do their best work with the tools at their disposal. His resourcefulness doesn’t stop with his audience. During eight hours of screen sharing, he also utilizes Parallels Toolbox tools such as Do Not Disturb, Hide Desktop, and—his favorite—Presentation mode.

“I absolutely love Presentation Mode. I’m a technical trainer and it makes a world of difference when I’m demoing for a class and Parallels Toolbox jumps in to make my life that much easier. Now I don’t have to worry about anything slipping through during a presentation.”

Whether you’re presenting in a business or educational environment, you can unlock a better presentation experience with Presentation Mode. This one-click tool will help you avoid embarrassing or NSFW notifications, disable macOS® Dock animations, keep your display from going to sleep, and even hide files on a messy desktop. Tip: this tool can detect external displays or projectors and enable itself automatically, or be set for a specific length of time. Parallels Toolbox can solve endless problems for users! Sean explains what combination of tools create an unparalleled experience:

“Frankly, I don’t know of any application that does a fraction of what Parallels Toolbox is capable of. It’s the depth of usefulness that made this a no-brainer. I’m constantly figuring out new ways to put the tools to work.”

“Do Not Disturb, Hide Desktop, and Presentation Mode make my work life so much easier. I’m sharing my screen nearly eight hours every day in my line of work as a Technical Trainer. Parallels Toolbox makes sure that there’s no irksome dock animations, that the screen doesn’t turn off on me if I’m less active, that sensitive work files I was too lazy to actually file away aren’t visible. I’m sure I’m missing something, but those tools alone made Parallels Toolbox worth it.”

As a reader, you may sit on either end of the technical spectrum when it comes to your personal experience. Whether you’re a new-to-Mac user or an experienced tech junkie, you’ll find Parallels Toolbox unmatched in its usefulness when compared to other tools on the market.

The Parallels team is happy to provide such a useful piece of software like Parallels Toolbox. We look forward to hearing more about how our users are getting their work done in a smarter way. Feel free to reach out on Facebook or Twitter to share your story!

Interested in boosting your productivity with one-click tools? Try Parallels Toolbox for Mac OR Parallels Toolbox for Windows.

Download and install Parallels Toolbox here. Your copy of Parallels Toolbox will be activated for seven days!

The post Technical Trainer Leverages Parallels Toolbox to Optimize Presentations appeared first on Parallels Blog.

 ‘Tis the season for savings!

Here at Parallels we want to show our immense appreciation to our customers by offering a holiday lineup of premium applications to save you some money this season. From now until December 31^st we will offer 7 free applications when you buy Parallels Desktop for Mac. That’s a 91% discount and a total of $489 savings found here: Buy Bundle Now or Try 14 Days Free Now

Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac:
#1 choice for Mac users to run Windows on Mac without rebooting.
“The latest version of Parallels, the POPULAR WINDOWS VIRTUALIZATION TOOL for Mac OS X, almost feels like its trolling Apple.” —Engadget

NetSpot Pro:
“One click and you can SEE HOW STRONG YOUR NETWORK IS, and watch it in real time as you move across your house or apartment, or between rooms.” —Lifehacker.com

Acronis Online Backup 500GB:
“Its combination of backup (both local and cloud), DISK CLONING, RESCUE-DISC CREATION, and other unique tools, along with a more modern interface than the competition…” —PCMag.com

Parallels Toolbox:
“…does away with terminal commands and makes it easier to take screenshots, DOWNLOAD VIDEO FROM YOUTUBE and Facebook, or even record what you’re doing on your desktop.” —CNET, Luke Lancaster

PDFPenPro 8:
“PDFpenPro is the CRÈME DE LA CRÈME OF PDF EDITING
and annotating applications.” —Macworld, Jeffery Battersby

Hotspot Shield Elite:
“…you can rest assured that your data is SECURE FROM HACKERS, snooping government agents, and ad-happy corporations.” —Max Eddy, PCMag

Pocket Premium: 
“A great option for those interested in SAVING VIDEO, IMAGES, text and other content, ALL IN ONE PLACE.” —TNW (TheNextWeb)

TextExpander:
“I’ve used TextExpander on my Mac for years…it can SAVE YOU HUNDREDS OF KEYSTROKES A DAY, especially if you answer a lot of the same emails or do anything that involves repetitive typing.” —Victor Agreda Jr, Engadget

Be merry & bright with this Holiday Bundle this season! Don’t miss out on this gift that keeps on giving – offer ends December 31^st 11:59PM PST.

Buy Bundle Now!

FAQ’s:

Q: What if I already have a subscription to these applications?

A: Purchasing through our Holiday bundle promotion will extend your existing subscriptions.

Q: What if I want to gift this promotion to a friend or family member?

A: Simply forward your purchase confirmation email to the recipient of your choice.

Q: Are these Mac or Windows applications?

A: Each vendor offers their applications in Mac-specific versions. However, contacting the specific application vendor through their dedicated customer service (post purchase) is highly advised if you’d like a Windows specific version. 

Try Parallels Desktop for free for 14 days!

The post Parallels Desktop Holiday Mac Bundle – $489 worth of savings! appeared first on Parallels Blog.