Inability to Activate Windows 11 on a Parallels virtual PC once the Parallels licence is renewed.

adrien herbert 0 Reputation points
2026-11-10T17:54:18.4933333+00:00

I cannot activate Windows 11 on my Parallels VM - I get an error saying that the licence is in use on another machine. I have recently renewed my Parallels Licence. There is no part of the technical support pages or systems which now gives you access to a live technical support agent and Parallels support (after about 4 hours of trying to support me at great cost on my mobile phone account) now tell me that the only way to link my Parallels machine once again to the Windows account is to ask Microsoft to unlink the VM identity from my Windows Product Key so that it can be reconnected.

I would like a live support agent telephone contact number (0800 026 0329 in the UK is an automated call handling system which cuts you off if you have anything more than an FAQ enquiry). Microsoft used to have a "Call Me Back" option if one dug deep enough but that appears to have been taken away.

MORE particularly I would like email contact from Microsoft which can help me to activate my completely legal Microsoft Windows 11 licence on my virtual machine. OR Microsoft should issue a notification (particularly to Parallels users) saying that it no longer supports Parallels and removing the licence to use Windows with Parallels virtualisation.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation
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  1. Neil D 34,755 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-11-10T19:35:24.57+00:00

    Microsoft use the Get Help app in windows for support.

    Search the phrase billing and select Contact Support at the bottom of the window. Select a couple more filters and you should see the option to Chat with an agent in your web browser.

    Did you buy the licence from Microsoft or a 3rd party. Do you have a product key from the purchase.?

    Microsoft do not supply phone numbers or emails for support.

    You can also try https://visualsupport.microsoft.com/ to apply the licence. Use a command prompt and enter slmgr /dlv [press return] to get any info you will need for link.

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