Since you're not able to activated, have you seen any error code/message on the activation page? Sharing that error code/message can hint what the issue can be.
Windows 11 activation on replacement Windows 11
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John Kay
0
Reputation points
I purchased a Windows 11 Professional in 2022 and use it with Parallels as a VM on an Apple Mac. The program is not working properly. Parallels agents have tried many ways to fix it but ended up asking me to install a new Windows 11 VM to make sure the problem was not with the Apple Mac or their parallels account. The problems on the original Windows 11 do not occur on the new version. The Parallels technician recommended that I chang everything over to the new Windows 11 VM. They gave me instructions on how to de-activate the older version. However, I have been unable to activate the new version of Windows 11.
My question is: Am I able to transfer my older Windows 11 across and have the same activation or can it only be done by purchasing a new copy of Windows 11 ?
If I am able to use the original registration, how can I do this.
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation
2 answers
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Kapil Arya 38,526 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator2026-10-12T10:54:58.4233333+00:00 -
DaveM121 938.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor2026-10-12T05:08:58.3733333+00:00 When you install Windows 11 on a new VM, the activation servers treat that as installing Windows on a new PC.
Open the Settings App.
Go to System - Activation.
Click the Troubleshoot button, then select 'I changed my hardware', and that process should be able to reactivate Windows on the new VM.
If that process is not successful, that is the only re-activation process available, you will need to contact Microsoft Support directly to get your Windows licence activated on the new VM.