How to move Parallels VM files to new admin account on same MacBook Pro?

Dear all,

Can anyone please tell me how to move Parallels VM files to a new admin account on the same MacBook Pro without problems?
I a clear step by step guide would be nice.
Why do I need this? -> My current admin account has some faulty settings and other mishaps that accumulated over the years. So an Apple employee advised me to create a new admin account for a fresh install of everything, copy all data into it and eventually remove the old account and folders. So far so good. This works indeed perfectly. However not for Parallels.
So what's the problem? -> Parallels doesn't like the copied Virtual Machine files. First it gives a message about wrong ownership. When I add the new ownership for every VM file with some effort these VMs refuse to boot with a message that the operating system can not be found on this disk. Then I have to force them to shut down. Copied back on the old account these files work perfectly again.
What I don't want! -> the very complicated solution of sharing VMs by multiple users on one MacBook Pro (https://kb.parallels.com/en/9303). This because I want to remove the old account permanently afterwards and have one single admin account again.

Can anyone from Parallels or the user community please help? I would appreciate this immensely.

Regards,

Theo

 

Hi, did you try to give your VM full permissions and then copy and paste it on your new admin account?

 

Hello Maria, yes I did exactly all of that: read/write permissions on the VMs for the new admin account including ownership. I wonder if Parallels needs changes to other files and/or folders?

Thank you,
Theo

 

Actually not, full access to VM will provide you with full access to all your files (if you didn't add any special permission to your files).

 

Dear Maria, this is the solution I found: the whole Parallels folder should also get the ownership of the main admin account (the same ownership it had apperently on my previous account). Changing the ownership of the files is not enough. Now everything works as expected.
How to:

1. Ctrl or right-click the Parallels folder and select Show Info.
2. Click the lock icon bottom right and enter your password.
3. Select you account name in the list Sharing & Permissions below.
4. Click the Cogwheel at the bottom and select Make owner if necessary.
5. Go back to the Cogwheel and then apply the changes to all enclosed items.

Of course the VM files should have the same permissions and ownership as well.
Hope this helps users who want to renew their accounts.
Theo