What is the Parallels Ethernet Adapter Windows Driver?

The Parallels Ethernet Adapter is a virtual network adapter used by the Parallels Desktop virtualization software to allow virtual machines (VMs) to communicate with the host operating system and the internet. Parallels Desktop is a popular tool for running macOS, Windows, and other operating systems as virtual machines on your computer. It emulates hardware for the VM, including network interfaces, and the Parallels Ethernet Adapter is the driver that enables networking functionality within the VM.

In most cases, when you run Parallels on a host machine (such as a Mac), this adapter acts as a virtual network interface for the guest operating systems running in the virtual machines. The driver essentially helps establish and manage network connections, both internal (between the VM and the host) and external (internet or local network access).