How do I fix incorrect file associations with Parallels Desktop on Mac?

Question

Level 1

4 points

How do I fix incorrect file associations with Parallels Desktop on Mac?

I'm encountering an issue on my Mac where certain files or actions that should open in their appropriate apps are instead causing Parallels Desktop to launch. It seems like macOS is incorrectly associating these files or tasks with Parallels Desktop. This happens consistently, and even when I expect a file to open in a native Mac app, it defaults to Parallels. It's disrupting my workflow because I have to manually quit Parallels and try to open the file the correct way. I would appreciate any help on how to fix these incorrect file associations or prevent Parallels Desktop from taking over file launches that it shouldn't handle.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac 24″

Posted on Apr 26, 2025 9:20 PM

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Answer 1

dialabrain

Level 10

135,947 points

Apr 26, 2025 10:32 PM in response to adiel150

Try selecting the files in question, press command+i. In the Get Info window that opens, change "Open with:" to whatever Mac app you prefer, then click the "Change All…" button.

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Answer 2

g_wolfman

Level 4

3,472 points

Apr 27, 2025 10:34 AM in response to adiel150

Parallels has preferences for native Mac apps to open inside Parallels instead (e.g., open Pages files in MS Word in a Windows VM). You should look in the VM's settings related to sharing.

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Answer 3

g_wolfman

Level 4

3,472 points

May 9, 2025 3:00 PM in response to adiel150

.exe files are Windows executables - it's no wonder that Parallels is launching; it absolutely registers with macOS that it is the application for launching .exe...

Conversely, macOS doesn't and can't launch Windows .exe or .dll files, so if you didn't have Parallels installed, the only thing you would get on trying to launch them is an error window.

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