How to install SDL Hosting and Parallels on a new computer

SDL Desktop itself isn’t installed on your machine — it runs on SDL’s servers and is delivered to you through the Parallels Client, which acts as the secure tunnel between your workstation and the SDL Desktop environment. Full setup takes about 10–15 minutes.

Before You Start, You’ll Need

• Admin rights on the computer (or IT available to help) — confirm with your local IT department that you’re allowed to install new software
• Your Domain Credentials (format: user@sdldesktop) — used by Parallels to open the secure connection
• Your Application Credentials — used to log in to SDL Desktop itself once connected
• Your computer’s system type (32-bit, 64-bit, or ARM64)

Both sets of credentials are provided during your SDL deployment.

To check your system type (Windows 10/11): Start → Settings → System → About, and check the System type line (or press Windows + Fn + Pause/Break).

On Mac: Apple menu → About This Mac. Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3+) → use the Apple Silicon (ARM) installer. Intel Core i5/i7/i9 → use the Intel (64-bit) installer.

Part 1: Download the Installer

1. Go to https://www.parallels.com/products/ras/download/client/.
2. Click the tab for your operating system.
3. Choose the installer matching your system type (most commonly Parallels Client (Windows) 64-bit Setup).
4. Save the file (defaults to Downloads).

Part 2: Install the Client

1. Double-click the downloaded file to launch the Setup Wizard, then click Next.
2. Walk through the wizard, keeping defaults: accept the terms, confirm the destination folder, leave desktop/Start Menu shortcuts checked, leave shadowing disabled, and leave Install Single Sign-On Component checked.
3. Click Install. The client opens automatically when finished. Restart if prompted.

Tip: If the client doesn’t appear after restart, look for the SDL logo in the taskbar, or double-click the SDL Hosting Client desktop shortcut.

Part 3: Connect to SDL Desktop

1. If a pop-up asks to add a connection, click No — the next step auto-configures everything.
2. Go to https://ps-1.sdldesktop.com/userportal/download and click Configure.
3. When the browser prompts, check the box and click Open Parallels Client.
4. When Parallels asks to add the connection ps-1.sdldesktop.com, click Yes.
5. Log in with your Domain Credentials:

• Username format: user@sdldesktop (not SDLDESKTOP\user)
• Confirm the primary connection shows ps-1.sdldesktop.com
• Check Save Password
• Click Connect

1. Under the All Apps tab, double-click SDL Desktop.
2. At the SDL Desktop login screen, sign in with your separate Application Credentials.

Part 4: Final Cleanup

You’ll end up with two desktop shortcuts — delete SDL Hosting Client and keep SDL Desktop for daily use.

To change Parallels Client settings later, right-click the Parallels icon in the system tray and choose Restore.

Daily use: double-click the SDL Desktop shortcut to launch straight into the application.

Full walkthrough with screenshots: help.getsdl.com – Installing the Parallels Client