What is a .MACVM file?
A .MACVM file is a type of file used by a program called Parallels Desktop for Mac, which is a special software that lets Mac computers run other operating systems, like Windows or a different version of macOS, inside them. This is like having a computer within your computer. The .MACVM file is like a box that contains everything needed to make this other operating system work on your Mac.
The "MACVM" part of the file name stands for "Mac Virtual Machine," which means it's a file that acts as a virtual computer. These files are specifically made for newer Macs that have Apple's own chips, which are different from the older Macs that used Intel chips. Apple's chips are built on something called the ARM architecture, and the .MACVM files are designed to work well with this setup, thanks to Apple's own system for creating virtual spaces (virtualization framework).
Inside a .MACVM file, you'll find all the pieces that Parallels Desktop needs to get the virtual operating system up and running. This includes the system files of the OS, any installed programs, and the settings configured by the user.
To open a .MACVM file, you need to have Parallels Desktop for Mac installed on your Mac computer. As of now, version 19 of Parallels Desktop for Mac is the program that can open this type of file. Once you have this software, you can start the virtual machine contained in the .MACVM file and use the other operating system as if it were running on a separate computer.
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