need help with update to 11 (which version?)

I have a Mac with OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) and Parallel desktop 7 (running with Windows 7).
I want to keep my virtual machine and I don't want to update to higher Windows, as the
software I am running only works with Windows 7.

However, I want to update the Mac to OS X 10.10 (El Capitain).
I read that before doing to I need to update the Paralle Desktop software. But this doesn't seem
possible. The 7 version is too old to update, but even buying a new 11 version is not working,
as it wants OS X10.9 (Maverik) to even perform an install.
But I cannot update the OS before updating Desktop (they
say that I loose the machine when I do so).
So, this is the dilemma hen/egg.
Anybody can give me an advice how this could be done? Pass by an older version?
But where to get this? And would the 11 version still be ok with Windows 7?
Thanks for any help

 

Hello AndreaW1,
In this case, we request you to backup the virtual machine in any external drive by following the article .
Once the virtual machine is backed up, you can go ahead and upgrade your Mac to ElCapitan OS.
After upgrading your Mac you can install Parallels Desktop 11.
After Parallels Desktop 11 is installed we can recover your Windows 7 VM by using the backup and all your Applications and data will remain the same.

 

Hi Pradeep,
thanks for your reply. I found the pvm file and can copy it to an external drive.
However, how is the backup in Desktop 11 working? It is a different machine, so how can it
integrate the old machine (pvm) for the external drive? Is this method really safe?
Sorry, I just want to be sure this works as I cannot afford to loose my windows machine.
Windows 7 would be still ok?
Thanks

 

Hello AndreaW1,
Yes, we can use Windows.pvm file after upgrading to Parallels Desktop 11.
The new interface will work perfectly alright after the upgrade.
For the detailed description of the process kindly refer to the article.

 

I still don't understand. The link you send says that you just paste the old virtual
machine on a new mac. (No word about installing desktop first).
So what I don't understand is where the new desktop 11 comes into play. If I paste
my old pmv, then it contains the old Desktop 7 environement, right?

 

Hello AndreaW1,
After upgrading to ElCapitan OS you have to install Parallels Desktop 11.
After the installation process is completed you will get exact Windows 7 OS wich you were using in your old Mac OS X which will now be running under Parallels Desktop 11.
Note: There will not be any changes made to your Windows 7 OS but the only update is it will be running under Parallels Desktop version 11.
For further questions kindly write back to us.