Introduction: Why Move Beyond Local Virtual Machines?
Running virtual machines locally on Parallels Desktop has served macOS developers well for years. However, as development teams scale and projects become more complex, the limitations of local VMs become apparent: limited resources, storage constraints, and the inability to access your development environment from anywhere.
If you’re ready to delete virtual machine from Parallels and embrace the power of cloud computing, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire migration process—from safely shutting down your local VMs to importing them into a fully managed cloud environment.
Understanding the Migration Process
Before we dive into the step-by-step instructions, let’s understand what we’re accomplishing:
- Safely shut down and export your existing Parallels VM
- Convert to OVA format for cloud compatibility
- Import into our managed cloud platform with zero downtime
- Configure 24/7 accessibility and enhanced performance
- Clean up local resources by properly deleting the original VM
This migration strategy ensures you maintain all your development configurations while gaining the benefits of cloud scalability, enhanced performance, and universal accessibility.
Prerequisites and Preparation
What You’ll Need
- Parallels Desktop (any recent version)
- Sufficient local storage for temporary OVA export (typically 1.5x your VM size)
- Stable internet connection for cloud upload
- Cloud platform account with migration permissions
- Administrative access to your macOS system
Pre-Migration Checklist
Before starting the migration process, ensure you:
- Backup critical data from your VM to external storage
- Document installed software and configurations for reference
- Note network settings and port configurations
- Update VM tools to the latest version within your guest OS
- Clean up unnecessary files to reduce export size
Step-by-Step Migration Guide
Phase 1: Preparing Your Parallels VM for Export
1. Clean and Optimize Your Virtual Machine
Start by optimizing your VM to reduce export time and file size:
bash# Within your Windows VM (if applicable)
# Run Disk Cleanup utility
cleanmgr /sagerun:1
# Defragment the drive
defrag C: /O
# Within macOS VMs, use built-in optimization
sudo periodic daily weekly monthly
2. Safely Shut Down the Virtual Machine
Never export a running VM. Always perform a clean shutdown:
- Save all open work within the VM
- Close all applications properly
- Shut down the guest operating system normally
- Wait for Parallels to show the VM as “Stopped”
- Verify no background Parallels processes are running
3. Create VM Snapshot (Recommended)
Before export, create a recovery snapshot:
- Right-click your VM in Parallels Desktop
- Select “Manage Snapshots”
- Click “Take Snapshot”
- Name it “Pre-Migration Backup”
- Add descriptive notes about current state
Phase 2: Exporting from Parallels Desktop
Method 1: Direct OVA Export (Recommended)
Modern Parallels versions support direct OVA export:
- Open Parallels Desktop
- Right-click your target VM
- Select “Export to OVA…”
- Choose export location with sufficient free space
- Configure export settings:
- Enable compression for smaller file size
- Include snapshots if needed for rollback
- Verify hardware compatibility settings
Method 2: Manual PVM to OVA Conversion
For older Parallels versions or custom requirements:
- Locate your .pvm file (usually in ~/Parallels/)
- Use Parallels Transporter or third-party tools
- Convert using command line:
bash# Using Parallels Transporter
/Applications/Parallels\ Transporter.app/Contents/MacOS/Parallels\ Transporter \
--src-type pvm \
--src-file "/path/to/your/vm.pvm" \
--dst-type ova \
--dst-file "/path/to/export/vm.ova"
Export Optimization Tips
- Use SSD storage for faster export processing
- Close other applications to free up system resources
- Monitor export progress through Activity Monitor
- Verify file integrity after export completion
Phase 3: Cloud Platform Import and Configuration
1. Preparing for Cloud Import
Before uploading your OVA file:
- Verify OVA integrity using checksum validation
- Check cloud platform requirements for VM specifications
- Ensure sufficient cloud storage allocation
- Configure network security groups and access policies
2. OVA Upload Process
Our cloud platform supports multiple upload methods:
Web Interface Upload:
- Log into your cloud dashboard
- Navigate to “VM Import” section
- Select “Upload OVA” option
- Choose your exported file
- Configure import settings:
- CPU allocation (scalable post-import)
- Memory assignment (expandable)
- Network configuration
- Storage type (SSD recommended)
CLI Upload for Large Files:
bash# Using our cloud CLI tool
cloud-cli vm import \
--file "/path/to/your/vm.ova" \
--name "MyMigratedVM" \
--cpu 4 \
--memory 8192 \
--storage ssd \
--network default
3. Post-Import Configuration
After successful import:
- Update VM tools for cloud optimization
- Configure automated backups
- Set up monitoring and alerting
- Test network connectivity and port access
- Optimize performance settings for cloud environment
Phase 4: Validation and Testing
Comprehensive Testing Checklist
Before deleting your local Parallels VM, thoroughly test the migrated environment:
Functionality Testing:
- All applications launch properly
- Network connectivity works as expected
- File systems mount correctly
- User accounts and permissions intact
- Development tools function normally
Performance Validation:
- CPU performance meets or exceeds local VM
- Memory allocation sufficient for workloads
- Storage I/O performance acceptable
- Network latency within acceptable ranges
Security Verification:
- Firewall rules properly configured
- Access controls working correctly
- Backup systems operational
- Monitoring alerts functional
Phase 5: Safely Deleting Your Parallels VM
Once you’ve confirmed the cloud migration is successful:
1. Final Local Backup (Optional)
Create one final local backup before deletion:
- Export critical configurations to text files
- Save license keys and activation information
- Document custom settings for future reference
- Backup any local-only data not included in migration
2. How to Delete Virtual Machine from Parallels
Follow these steps to properly remove your VM:
- Open Parallels Desktop
- Ensure the VM is completely shut down
- Right-click the VM in the sidebar
- Select “Remove [VM Name]…”
- Choose removal option:
- “Move to Trash” – Deletes VM files completely
- “Keep Files” – Removes from Parallels but preserves files
- “Remove from List” – Only removes from interface
3. Clean Up Associated Files
After removal, clean up remaining files:
bash# Check for remaining Parallels files
find ~ -name "*.pvm" -o -name "*.pvs" 2>/dev/null
# Remove Parallels application support files (if uninstalling completely)
rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.parallels.*
rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Parallels\ Desktop/
# Clear system caches
sudo rm -rf /var/folders/*/C/com.parallels.*
4. Reclaim Storage Space
After deletion, reclaim the freed storage:
- Empty Trash to permanently delete files
- Run First Aid on your disk using Disk Utility
- Clear system caches if needed
- Verify available space has increased appropriately
Optimizing Your Cloud Environment
Performance Enhancements
Now that your VM runs in the cloud, take advantage of these optimizations:
Scalable Resources:
- Dynamically adjust CPU cores based on workload
- Scale memory allocation during peak usage
- Implement auto-scaling policies for consistent performance
Enhanced Storage:
- Upgrade to NVMe SSD storage for maximum I/O performance
- Implement automated tiered storage for cost optimization
- Set up cross-region replication for disaster recovery
Network Optimization:
- Configure dedicated IP addresses for consistent access
- Set up VPN connections for secure development workflows
- Implement load balancing for multi-instance deployments
24/7 Accessibility Features
Transform your development workflow with cloud accessibility:
Remote Development:
- Access your VMs from any device, anywhere
- Maintain consistent development environments across team members
- Enable collaborative development with shared VM access
Automated Operations:
- Schedule automated testing runs during off-hours
- Implement CI/CD pipelines with cloud-native integration
- Set up monitoring and alerting for proactive maintenance
Troubleshooting Common Migration Issues
Export Problems
Issue: Parallels export fails or produces corrupted OVA Solution:
- Ensure VM is completely shut down
- Free up local disk space
- Repair VM using Parallels built-in tools
- Try exporting in segments if dealing with very large VMs
Import Failures
Issue: Cloud platform rejects OVA import Solution:
- Verify OVA file isn’t corrupted using checksum validation
- Check cloud platform compatibility requirements
- Ensure VM settings don’t exceed platform limits
- Contact support for assistance with custom configurations
Performance Differences
Issue: Cloud VM performs differently than local version Solution:
- Adjust VM resource allocation based on cloud instance type
- Update VM tools for cloud optimization
- Configure guest OS for virtualized environment
- Monitor resource usage and adjust accordingly
Cost Optimization Strategies
Right-Sizing Your Cloud Resources
Avoid over-provisioning by:
- Starting conservative with resource allocation
- Monitoring actual usage patterns over time
- Scaling up only when performance metrics indicate need
- Using auto-scaling policies to optimize costs automatically
Storage Cost Management
- Implement lifecycle policies for automated archiving
- Use appropriate storage tiers based on access patterns
- Clean up snapshots and backups regularly
- Compress infrequently accessed data
Security Best Practices for Cloud VMs
Access Control
- Implement strong authentication with multi-factor authentication
- Use role-based access control for team environments
- Regularly audit access logs and permissions
- Set up automated security scanning for vulnerabilities
Data Protection
- Enable encryption for data at rest and in transit
- Implement regular backup schedules with testing
- Configure network security groups appropriately
- Monitor for unusual activity patterns
Advanced Migration Scenarios
Batch Migration for Multiple VMs
For organizations with multiple Parallels VMs:
- Prioritize VMs by importance and complexity
- Create migration timeline with dependencies mapped
- Implement parallel processing where possible
- Establish rollback procedures for each migration
- Document lessons learned for future migrations
Hybrid Deployment Strategies
Consider keeping some VMs local while moving others to cloud:
- Development VMs in cloud for collaboration
- Testing environments in cloud for scalability
- Production staging in cloud for reliability
- Legacy systems may remain local temporarily
Measuring Migration Success
Key Performance Indicators
Track these metrics to validate successful migration:
Performance Metrics:
- VM boot time comparison
- Application response times
- Network latency measurements
- Storage I/O performance benchmarks
Operational Metrics:
- Uptime and availability statistics
- Resource utilization efficiency
- Cost per VM hour comparison
- Support ticket volume changes
Team Productivity Metrics:
- Developer satisfaction scores
- Deployment frequency improvements
- Collaboration enhancement measures
- Time-to-market improvements
Future-Proofing Your Cloud Infrastructure
Emerging Technologies Integration
Position your migrated VMs for future enhancements:
- Container integration for microservices architectures
- Kubernetes orchestration for scalable deployments
- Serverless computing integration for event-driven workloads
- AI/ML pipeline integration for intelligent operations
Scalability Planning
Plan for growth with:
- Auto-scaling policies for dynamic resource allocation
- Multi-region deployment for global accessibility
- Disaster recovery procedures and testing
- Capacity planning based on growth projections
Conclusion: Embracing Cloud-Native Development
Successfully migrating from Parallels Desktop to a cloud platform represents more than just moving virtual machines—it’s a transformation of your entire development workflow. By following this comprehensive guide to delete virtual machine from Parallels and migrate to our cloud platform, you’ve eliminated the constraints of local hardware while gaining enterprise-grade reliability, scalability, and accessibility.
Your development environment now runs 24/7, accessible from anywhere, with resources that scale based on demand rather than physical limitations. The time and cost savings from eliminating local hardware maintenance, combined with enhanced collaboration capabilities, will accelerate your development lifecycle significantly.
Next Steps
- Optimize your cloud configuration based on initial usage patterns
- Implement automated backup and monitoring systems
- Train your team on cloud-native development practices
- Plan for additional migrations if you have remaining local VMs
- Explore advanced cloud features like auto-scaling and container integration
The future of development is cloud-native, and you’ve successfully made the transition. Your migrated VMs are now positioned to take advantage of continuous innovation in cloud computing, ensuring your development infrastructure remains cutting-edge and competitive.
Ready to migrate more VMs or need assistance with advanced cloud configurations? Contact our migration specialists for personalized guidance and support.
