Sharing My Documents folder between OSX and Parallels

After having receintly installed Parallels software on my Mac Book Pro I quickly realized that I needed to be able to share files between my OS X OS and the Parallels / Windows XP Pro OS if it was to be of any use. I found a couple of ways to accomplish this but my favorite by far is detailed below.

Step 1: Install Parallels

-This one is a no brainer. Just follow the installation instructions included with Parallels to install the app and then Windows XP.

Step 2: Install Parallels Tools

-Here is a quick how-to install Parallels Tools

Step 3: Stop the Parallels VM

-Click on the Red Square on the right side of the screen if Parallels is running.

Step 4: Enable Shared Folders in Parallels

-First Click on Edit at the bottom of the screen to edit your current Parallels VM
-Second Click on Shared Folders in the left view (if you don't see Shared Folders, click on the add at the bottom of the screen and add that item in)
-Third Click the check box to enable shared folders and then add in your shared folder by click on the plus at the bottom of the box.
-Fourth select the directory you wish to share. I chose the full home directory but you could just use the Documents sub directory depending on your needs.
-Finally, Click OK.

Step 5: Map the Windows My Documents Folder to the Parallels Share

-First start the Parallels VM (Click on the green play button on the right)
-Second right click on the My Documents Folder in Windows XP
-Third change the Target of the My Documents Folder to the Parallels Share to map the Windows My Documents to any folder you wish in your OS X directory.

Notes:

-Some initially had problems with the Parallels Shared Folders but they have adressed those and I have had no issues.
-Windows WILL create its own directories for My Music, My Pictures, My Movies etc in whatever directory you map My Documents to.
-I kept everything simple by mapping My Documents on XP to Documents on OS X but that decision is up to you.
-You can set up Parallels to show your share on the Desktop or make sure the share is running through Parallels Tools, that you installed in Step 2 above.

WARNING:

-You have now opened up your previously protect OS X files and directories to Windows XP. This means any viruses and spyware you may get now can potentially cross the Windows OS X barrier and cause unplesant issues. Proceed with Caution.
-It was my decision that without those files being accessible in Parallels, I had no real use for Parallels, so I set it up. Just remember to use protection ;-)

Eliminate VirtueDesktops Change to Desktop Notification

Problem: The most recent release of VirtueDesktops for the Mac now displays "Changed to Desktop Browsing" or "Changed to Desktop Mail" or "Changed to Desktop Code" or "Changed to Desktop Main" notifications on the right side of the screen whenever you switch desktops.

Solution: Disable the VirtueDesktops Growl Notification in the Growl Preferences pane.

1) Click on the Apple Icon in the upper left of your screen
2) Select System Preferences from the dropdown menu
3) Click on Growl in the Other section of the System Preferences Pane
4) Click on Applications in the top Horzontal Menu
5) Unclick the checkbox next to the VirtueDesktops Application

Growl automatically recognizes and registers applications which have its interface. So, if you ever find messages mysterously appearing in the right side of your screen or you want to adjust the display of your Growl messages check the Growl Preferences pane.

Apple-X Keyboard Shortcut to Move Files in Mac OS X Finder

Problem: The Mac OSX finder does NOT support the Ctrl-X (would be Apple-X) functionality to move files as does Windows XP. Really Control-X in Windows does not Cut Files it just in initiates a Move File command. Apple decided in OSX that mapping Apple-X to Move File would be confusing so they just left it out. Well that is annoying to all of us Switchers whose fingers are hardwired to hit Control-X to move files to have to learn to hit the moved Command key (Apple) - X just to have it do nothing!

Solution:
The solution is two fold. The first step is to use Automator to create a move automator finder plugin. This is really easy and involves just a few steps:

• Open Up the Automator Application
• Drag over the "Get Selected FInder Items" element
  
• Drag over the "Move Finder Items" element
  
  
• Save as Finder Plug-in Named "...Move" or something similar
• Control (Right) Click on a file or group of selected files and choose whatever you named your plug-in in the step above
  

Now you have a finder plugin but you still can't Apple-X to move files. For this you will need to map Apple-X to your new Automator function using a freeware or shareware software program.

• To use a keyboard shortcut (Apple-X) to move files you need to save the automator action as a Plugin for the Script Menu (same method as saving for Finder Plugin just use the dropdown to select Script)
• Download and InstallFast Scripts Lite
• Click on the Fast Scripts Icon in the top toolbar and Select Fast Scripts Light and then Preferences
• Expand the top Tree Element which is your personal Scripts Folder where Automator placed the created script from the first step.
• Click on the Move ... Element then click in the Shortcut Column and press Apple-X to assign your Automator Action a Keyboard Shortcut.
• Thats it. Now, as long as Fast Scripts Lite is running you can use Apple-X to move your files!