When you launch Parallels Workstation, the last used virtual machine is opened by default. This option is controlled by the Load recently used VM at startup setting on the Common tab of the Preferences window. You may turn this option off, to start Parallels Workstation with Startup Options dialog, which is discussed in the separate topic Startup Options Dialog, or with blank virtual machine. In these cases last used virtual machine can be opened via recently used list.
There are other ways to open virtual machines as well:
Opening Recently Used Configuration
The list of recently used configurations in the File menu displays six most recently used configuration files. Use this method to open a virtual machine you recently worked with.
If the required virtual machine is not shown in the recently used list, you may find it browsing hard disk for its configuration file manually.
Browsing Hard Disk for a Configuration
To select a virtual machine that is not represented in the recently used list, you should perform the following operations:
Opening Virtual Machine in a New Window
You may open an additional instance of the Parallels Workstation using the menu. To do this:
Since last used virtual machine is blocked by the Parallels Workstation instance where you issue this command, a new window is opened either with the Startup Options dialog (if the Show startup dialog option is selected on in the Common tab of the Preferences window), or with a blank virtual machine.