What is Parallels Desktop on Mac?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
Parallels Desktop, which runs Windows or other operating systems in virtual machines.
Parallels Desktop runs virtual machines on your Mac. prl_vm_app is a running virtual machine, prl_disp_service is the background service that manages VMs, and prl_client_app is the Parallels interface. A running VM's CPU and memory reflect everything happening inside Windows or the other guest system.
- Category
- Third-party
- Made by
- Parallels
- Safe to quit:
- With care
Shown in Activity Monitor as prl_vm_app, prl_disp_service, prl_client_app, Parallels Desktop
Why is Parallels Desktop using so much CPU or memory?
- A virtual machine running, especially Windows updates or antivirus scans inside it
- Large memory assigned to the VM
- Games or heavy apps inside the VM
What to do
- 1Check what's running inside the VM (for example Windows Task Manager)
- 2Suspend or shut down VMs you aren't using
- 3Lower the VM's CPU and memory in its configuration
- 4Keep Parallels Desktop and its Tools updated
Safe to quit? With care.
Force quitting prl_vm_app is like pulling the plug on that VM; shut it down or suspend it from Parallels instead.
Related processes
- kernel_taskThe core of macOS itself. It also holds busy apps back on purpose to stop your Mac overheating.
- Virtualization.framework VMA virtual machine run by Apple's Virtualization framework for apps like Docker, UTM or OrbStack.
- QEMUA virtual machine emulator used by tools like UTM, the Android Emulator and Colima.
Part of the Taskglass Process Library