Can't start a new C++ project - Help?

I just installed Visual Studio Pro 2013 onto my computer and each time I try to create a C++ project I get this message:

Unable to read the project file "projectname.vcxproj". C:\Users\AppData\Local\Microsoft\MSBuild\v4.0\Microsoft.Cpp.Win32.user.props(0,0): The local project file could not be loaded. Root element is missing.

I'm running Visual Studio on a copy of Windows 8.1 that I installed on my MacBook using Parallels. I'm trying to create a Win32 Console Application.

What's going on here? How do I fix it?

Thanks.