Software Alternatives & Startups

Parallels VS ShellNewHandler

Compare Parallels VS ShellNewHandler and see what are their differences

Parallels

Parallels Desktop is a virtualization software for Mac users to run Windows and Linux apps on OS X.

Rating
0 reviews
ShellNewHandler

SourceForge.net: ShellNewHandler details page

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Parallels should be more popular than ShellNewHandler. It has been mentioned 6 times since March 2021.

social mentions
6 vs 2
Virtualization popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Parallels
ShellNewHandler
Website parallels.com sourceforge.net
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Parallels 6 features
ShellNewHandler 0 features
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Parallels allows users to run Windows, Linux, and even older versions of macOS alongside macOS without rebooting, enabling flexible environment configurations and access to a wide range of software.
  • Seamless Integration
    Parallels provides a high level of integration between macOS and the guest operating system, such as shared clipboard, file sharing, drag-and-drop support, and shared printing capabilities, which enhances productivity.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate user interface that simplifies the setup and management of virtual machines, making it accessible even for less tech-savvy users.
  • Performance Optimization
    Parallels includes performance enhancements and tools like the Parallels Toolbox, which helps to optimize the performance of virtual machines, ensuring that they run smoothly and efficiently.
  • Regular Updates
    Parallels is frequently updated to support the latest versions of macOS and Windows, ensuring compatibility and leveraging new features and improvements.
  • Coherence Mode
    Coherence Mode allows Windows applications to run as if they were native macOS apps, making it convenient for users to switch between operating systems seamlessly.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    Parallels requires a yearly subscription or a one-time purchase, which can be considered expensive compared to free alternatives like VirtualBox, especially for casual users.
  • Resource Usage
    Running virtual machines through Parallels can be resource-intensive, consuming significant CPU and RAM, which may affect the performance of the host Mac, particularly on older or less powerful hardware.
  • Limited 3D Graphics Support
    While Parallels does support 3D graphics, it may not perform as well as dedicated hardware or other more specialized virtualization solutions, making it less ideal for high-end gaming or advanced graphical applications.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Even though Parallels strives for broad compatibility, there can be occasional issues with specific software or hardware peripherals that do not function perfectly within the virtual environment.
  • Complex Licensing
    Some users may find the licensing terms and activation process to be complex or cumbersome, especially when dealing with multiple installations or migrating to a new machine.
  • Updates and Maintenance
    Frequent updates, while beneficial for new features and compatibility, can sometimes introduce bugs or require significant time to manage and install, disrupting workflow continuity.

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Parallels
ShellNewHandler

Overall verdict

  • Parallels is generally regarded as a good virtualization software, especially for those who need to run Windows applications on a Mac.

Why this product is good

  • Parallels is praised for its seamless integration with macOS, ease of use, and robust performance. It allows users to run Windows applications without rebooting their systems, offers regular updates, and supports a wide range of peripherals.

Recommended for

  • Mac users who need to run Windows applications
  • Individuals looking for an easy-to-use virtualization solution
  • Professionals who require efficient cross-platform compatibility
  • Users who prefer a well-supported and frequently updated software

Overall verdict

  • ShellNewHandler is a niche, lightweight utility hosted on SourceForge designed to give users more control over the Windows 'New' context menu (the ShellNew menu). It can be considered good for its specific narrow use case, but it is an older, minimally maintained tool that may not suit all users, especially those on modern Windows versions.

Why this product is good

  • Provides direct control over customizing the Windows right-click 'New' menu, allowing users to add or remove file type entries
  • Lightweight and free, without bundled bloatware typical of some other free utilities
  • Simple and focused in scope, making it easy to understand for its specific purpose
  • Open distribution via SourceForge allows transparency and no-cost access

Recommended for

  • Power users who want to declutter or customize the Windows New context menu
  • IT administrators managing standardized desktop environments across multiple machines
  • Users comfortable with older utility-style tools and Windows registry-related tweaks
  • Not recommended for casual users seeking modern, actively supported software with regular updates

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Parallels 8 videos + Add
ShellNewHandler 0 videos + Add

Parallels Desktop vs VMware Fusion Review | Best Mac Apps

More videos

  • - Parallels Access for iOS - Mini Video Tutorial
  • - First Look: Parallels Access for iPad Pro
  • - Parallels 15 Review - The Top 3 Features That Will Excite You + Giveaway
  • - Hands-on: Windows on Mac with Parallels 13
  • - Parallels Desktop 18 - Test and Review. Better Performance? Get Windows on M2-M1, M1 Pro MacBook
  • - Parallels 18 for Apple Silicon M1 / M2 Mac Review - The Best ARM Windows experience is Still a Mac!
  • - My Parallels 17 first impressions | Windows 11 on a Mac

No ShellNewHandler videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Parallels
ShellNewHandler
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Parallels and ShellNewHandler. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Parallels no reviews yet
ShellNewHandler no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Parallels 6 mentions
ShellNewHandler 2 mentions
  • What are JavaScript Engines?
    A ‘system virtual machine’, for example, provides a complete emulation of a platform on which an operating system can be executed. Mac users might be familiar with Parallels, a system virtual machine that allows you to run Windows on... - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • How/where to download windows for macbook with M1 for free?
    I've watched multiple videos and gone to many websites to find a good way to download windows on my macbook for free but the closest thing I found was parallels.com but that's only a 14 day free trial and if I had the money to pay for... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Can I use a Mac?
    You can use a Mac, then use Parallels or Virtual Box for any virtual machines you might need(I prefer Parallels). There are Educational versions of Windows amongst other Microsoft products available to you through NJIT. Source: over 3 years ago

View more

  • I recently got libreoffice, but now the new option in right click looks like a mess. Can someone help me get rid of them please?
    Use Shell New Handler. Run the portable app and simply untick the items you don't want to appear in your new context menu. Source: about 4 years ago
  • This menu should be easy to add/remove programs to... Who is really creating Access Databases from this menu often enough to keep it here? (Not me!) Is there an easy way to edit this?
    I've always used ShellNewHandler for this. It's a really simple portable utility that allows you to remove most of the items from that menu. Tested it out on Windows 11 and it's still compatible. Source: over 5 years ago

Alternatives to Parallels and ShellNewHandler

When comparing Parallels and ShellNewHandler, you can also consider the following products.