User`s guide
  Principles of Working With Parallels Desktop  39 
Changing the default folder for virtual machines 
The Default folder for virtual machines field displays the default location where Parallels Desktop 
stores the files and folders of all virtual machines you create on the host computer. You can 
change the default location by typing the path to another folder in this field or clicking the 
Choose button and navigating to the necessary folder. After changing the default location, all 
newly created virtual machines will be saved to the folder specified in the Default folder for 
virtual machines field. However, this does not affect the files of virtual machines that already 
exist: their files will remain in the original default folder. 
Managing Parallels Desktop from the tray 
If you want to be able to manage Parallels Desktop and the running or paused virtual machines 
from the tray, select the Show tray icon option. For more details, refer to Parallels Desktop Tray 
Icon (p. 37) and Managing Virtual Machi
nes From the Tray (p. 179). 
If you want the Parallels Desktop window to be hidden when minimized, select the Minimize to 
tray option. 
Note: Minimizing main window to tray does not quit Parallels Desktop. 
Changing the sidebar position 
In the Sidebar position list, you can choose the sidebar location. It can be located in the right or 
in the left part of the main window. 
Resetting hidden messages 
A number of Parallels Desktop dialogs and wizard windows are provided with the Do not show 
this message again option. If you select this option, the corresponding dialog will not appear 
next time you perform the same operation. Using the Reset Hidden Messages button, you can 
reset all dialogs and wizard windows with this option selected so that they are displayed again 
each time you initiate the corresponding operation. 
Restoring default settings 
The Restore Defaults button enables you to restore the default settings for all options available in 
this pane. 










