Have you ever noticed a tendency for Windows application developers to assume that their software is the One True Reason that you have a computer? It puts an icon on your desktop, in your quick launch bar, at the top of the Start menu, and in a new program group in the Programs folder. Not only that but it also adds itself to system startup so that it runs everytime your computer boots. Oh, and it also takes over all applicable file type associations, and maybe even installs a web browser plug-in and/or Windows explorer shell extension.
I installed Parallels Desktop on my iMac today and it gave me a similar experience, especially after I installed my first virtual machine. Icon on the desktop, added an item to the dock, running in the menubar, automatically sharing folders. I want to slap the company and say “your software is not that important to me”. Pride is one of the seven deadly sins.
The vast majority of software written today is not written for you or me. Consequently, its behaviour will usually not meet with your expectations and/or requirements.
The market at work, as it were.
Hey Ryan,
I am from Parallels and I think that I can help you with your Parallels experience. By default, Parallels Desktop creates its icon in the Dock. If you do not need it, just remove it from the Dock and start Parallels Desktop from /Applications. From the described behavior, you used Express installation mode when creating your virtual machine, which is developed to make it easy for most customers to install Windows. If you do not like some of the features, you can disable them in the configuration (remove Windows applications folder from Dock, disable Shared Folders/Shared Profile). If you have any other questions about Parallels in the future, please feel free to e-mail me at sgibbons@parallels.com.
Cheers,
Ashley