MACVM File – What is .macvm file and how to open it?

MACVM File Format

A MACVM file is a virtual machine (VM) image file created by Parallels Desktop, a virtualization software application. It contains a compressed disk image that includes the operating system, applications, and data of a virtual machine. MACVM files allow users to run multiple operating systems and applications on a single physical computer, without the need to reboot.

The MACVM file format is based on the Virtualization Framework (VFW), which is a virtualization technology developed by Apple. VFW provides a way to run multiple operating systems and applications on a single physical computer, and it is used in Parallels Desktop and other virtualization software applications. MACVM files are compressed using the Zstandard (ZSTD) algorithm, which is a lossless data compression algorithm that provides high compression ratios with fast decompression speeds. This makes MACVM files efficient for storage and transfer.

Opening MACVM Files on macOS

MACVM files are virtual machine (VM) images created by Parallels Desktop, a virtualization software for macOS. To open a MACVM file, you will need Parallels Desktop installed on your Mac. Once you have installed Parallels Desktop, follow these steps:

1. Double-click on the MACVM file.
2. Parallels Desktop will automatically launch and open the VM.
   Once the VM is open, you can access the files and programs stored within it. You can also use Parallels Desktop to manage and configure the VM, such as setting up networking, installing additional software, or taking snapshots.

Opening MACVM Files on Windows

MACVM files are not compatible with Windows operating systems. To open a MACVM file on Windows, you will need to use a virtualization software that supports macOS, such as VMware Fusion or VirtualBox. These software programs allow you to create and run virtual machines based on different operating systems, including macOS. Once you have installed a virtualization software on your Windows PC, follow these steps to open a MACVM file:

1. Launch the virtualization software.
2. Click on the “File” menu and select “Open Virtual Machine.”
3. Navigate to the MACVM file that you want to open and click on the “Open” button. The virtualization software will create a new VM based on the MACVM file.
4. Once the VM is created, you can start it by clicking on the “Start” button. You will now be able to access the files and programs stored within the VM.

Technical Description of MACVM Files

MACVM (Parallels Virtual Machine) files are virtualization framework-based machine virtualizations developed by Parallels. They contain a complete virtual machine configuration, including the operating system, applications, and data. MACVM files are based on the Open Virtualization Format (OVF) and are compatible with the Parallels Desktop and Parallels Server virtualization software.

Key Features and Uses

MACVM files enable users to create and run virtual machines on Mac computers. These virtual machines can run various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. MACVM files are particularly useful for software testing, compatibility checking, and running applications that are not natively supported on the host operating system. They provide a sandboxed environment that allows users to isolate and control virtual machines, ensuring security and stability.

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