What is a .PVMP file?
A .PVMP file is a type of file used by Parallels Desktop, a software program that allows Mac computers to run virtual machines. This means you can simulate a different computer system within your Mac, using it to run software that is designed for Windows or other operating systems.
The "PVMP" in the file extension stands for Parallels Packed Virtual Machine. Essentially, a .PVMP file is a compressed version of a .PVM file, which is the standard file format for Parallels virtual machines. The purpose of packing a virtual machine into a .PVMP file is to make it easier and more efficient to transfer the virtual machine from one computer to another. This is particularly useful for users who need to move their virtual environments between different Macs.
The compression used in .PVMP files is specific to Parallels and is different from the more common Zip compression used in other types of files. This specialized compression helps in reducing the file size significantly, making the transfer quicker and requiring less storage space.
To open a .PVMP file, you will need to use Parallels Desktop for Mac, specifically version 19 or newer. This program is capable of unpacking the .PVMP file and restoring the virtual machine to a usable state on your Mac. Once opened, you can run the virtual machine as if it were a separate computer, installing and using software that may not be natively supported on macOS.
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