At what stage of the Windows 10 installation process in Parallels does it let you select 64 bit? I am currently running a 32 bit Win 10 VM and would like to upgrade to 64 bit. I tried starting the process of reinstalling Win 10 within Parallels and it started to download 5.27GB without letting me select whether I wanted the 32 bit or 64 bit version.
If you use the Parallels Installation Assistant, then the downloading version is 64 bit. If you wish to make sure you are installing 64 bit, then follow the steps below
1. Download Windows 10 ISO -
https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-download/windows10
2. Start the virtual machine creation as mentioned in
https://kb.parallels.com/4729 but when you are on the screen to select the ISO and continue to select "Locate Manually" then select "Continue without a source" then proceed to select Operating System.
3. Choose the profile for your virtual machine.
4. Give a name for the virtual machine and create. You will get a no boot screen.
5. Use Actions (on Mac menu bar) > Stop.
6. Now you can see the empty VM on Parallels Desktop Control Center.
7. Now you can mount(
https://kb.parallels.com/8638 ) the Windows 10 ISO and start the virtual machine which will start Windows installation manually.
8. Don't enter Windows key during installation select "I don't have a key". You can complete the activation after the installation is complete.
9. Install Parallels Tools (see
http://kb.parallels.com/115835 for assistance).
