Parallels today announced a series of individual "Toolbox Packs" that aim to help users cut down the time-consuming tasks on their Mac or PC, including a Presentation Pack, a Screen and Video Pack, and a Disk and System Pack. Parallels president Jack Zubarev explained that each pack features a "comprehensive suite of single-purpose tools" that will help simplify workflows.

For example, in the Presentation Pack there's a one-click "Presentation Mode" that hides desktop files, blocks email and message notifications, prevents sleep mode, and automatically adjusts resolution for external displays. The Screen and Video Pack includes screenshot capturing tools and a "Record Screen" feature so that users can quickly record their entire screen -- or just a specified area -- and then convert the video, download it, or create a GIF.


In an effort to keep Macs running efficiently, the System and Disk Pack provides the "Clean Drive" ability to easily scan files and delete duplicates, discover the largest files, remove temporary OS and application files, and more. Parallels said this tool periodically reminds users to run it so that they can keep their computer's performance up-to-speed. There's also a "Free Memory" toolbar add-on to easily check to see how much RAM is available.

“People waste too much time searching for solutions to common tasks on their computers that should be able to be accomplished with one click,” said Jack Zubarev, Parallels president.

“That’s why our time-saving Parallels Toolbox for Windows and Mac software – which features a comprehensive suite of simple single-purpose tools, with new tools added every few months – is so loved by our customers. Now, people whose computing tasks involve presentations, screen and video work, or disk and system optimization, can get Parallels Toolbox Packs, which each feature a collection of one-click tools tailored for their needs.”

Those interested can check out free trials of each Toolbox Pack on Parallels' website, and the company sells each individual Pack for an annual subscription price of $9.99 per year. Customers can also opt to get the full suite of new Parallels Toolbox Packs for $19.99 per year.

Parallels previously launched Parallels Toolbox 2.5 in February, which introduced many of these features in a drop-down toolbar screen at an overall price of $19.99 per year. Because some users pointed out that they don't need all of these features under one higher price tag, Parallels responded with today's announcement of individual, "cost-effective" Toolbox Packs, which will see new features added to each pack in the coming months.

Outside of these packs, Parallels' software allows users to run Windows on a Mac without needing to reboot. You can find more information on the Toolbox Packs and the main features of Parallels on the company's website.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Parallels. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Top Rated Comments

bitardo Avatar
92 months ago
>subscription

Hard pass.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smithrh Avatar
92 months ago
Never found a company in the Mac space I distrusted more than these guys.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cobracnvt Avatar
92 months ago
subscription model = pass for me as well
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fall Under Cerulean Kites Avatar
92 months ago
I dumped Parallels around v12, after they went with the annual upgrade hard push, justified by bundling of fluff features.

If macOS changes in such a way that the old version of some software no longer works, then I’ll be happy to purchase a new version in order to fund the development required to update the app. Beyond that, I’m not interested in subscriptions or annual upgrades for the sake of a new version number.

Software’s a hard business to be in. I get that. But somehow this all worked fine when we were buying software on floppies in a box. Now everyone wants monthly subscription revenue. Sorry, but these companies betting the farm on a subscription model are going to learn the hard way that people aren’t interested.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
forerunnerg34 Avatar
92 months ago
Subscription was one of the reason I went for VMWare Fusion, the number 1 reason was that Fusion had better performance for me. Subscription for virtualization software has no reason for me, Fusion has been working in every macOS release for Windows 7, 8 and 10. I only bought the upgrade once in more than 4 years.

I am a heavy user of MS Visual Studio, but thanks to MS that now make most of their apps available on the Mac I find myself using Fusion less and less. And to be honest in my case makes more sense in the mid and long term to just buy a Windows laptop.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
justperry Avatar
92 months ago


In an effort to keep Macs running efficiently, the System and Disk Pack provides the "Clean Drive" ability to easily scan files and delete duplicates, discover the largest files, remove temporary OS and application files, and more. Parallels said this tool periodically reminds users to run it so that they can keep their computer's performance up-to-speed
Don't fall for this (especially ex Windows Users), you don't need this, a Mac doesn't slow (*Normally) down.

*Only when your disk is near to 100% full and there's no space left for VM it will crawl to a near halt, but that error is the user fault, the System will tell you if that happens beforehand.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...