The best way to run Windows on a Mac is being updated with new features and macoS Sonoma compatibility. Among the new features in the latest Parallels Desktop release are TouchID support for Windows, enhanced multitouch, and better support for virtual machines in the clouds.

If you’ve used Parallels before, you’ll notice its spruced-up appearance. Dig a little deeper and there are numerous tweaks that seem particularly focused on professional users, including enhancements with a direct impact on mixed-platform enterprises.

Plenty of improvements for work

Notably, and certainly a big nod in recognition of the success Apple is having selling Apple Silicon-powered MacBook Air and MacBook Pro devices into business, it includes much better Trackpad support. You can also now use all the multitouch gestures you’re used to using on a Mac while working in a Windows app.

Enterprise and personal users will also benefit from the much improved Touch ID integration, which means users with a secure Windows login and password can use Touch ID Mac to access Windows virtual machines. Is that the most secure and fastest way to access Windows yet? It may well be, given that you can also enroll Windows Virtual Machines into Windows Intune, which should please tech support in hybrid environments.

“Previously, to ensure that virtual Windows devices used by end-users in an organization can be enrolled in Microsoft Intune, an IT admin could use only the mass deployment scenario, which is not convenient for some types of organizations,” the company said.

It is now possible to enroll Windows 11 VMs in Intune via the Parallels My Account web app; the Windows image is simply shared via cloud storage. This is only available in the Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition. The latter also provides a range of tools for mass deployment of Window VMs, including unified volume licensing.