Problem Activating Windows 11 Pro in Parallels

Question

Problem Activating Windows 11 Pro in Parallels

Chris Locke 0

I am migrating my retail Windows Pro license from an old VMware virtual machine to a new Parallels virtual machine, and the hardware troubleshooter is blank. Probably a problem between the old Mac with Intel chip and the new MAC with Silicon chip. The only way I see is to have support phone me to do this manually but I keep being directed to the activation portal which fails. It's so frustrating and I am tearing my hair out. Have also tried calling Belgian number and it cuts out while explaining to a bot what the problem is. It also wants to send me back to a link which again fails. Can anyone point me in the right direction as I have spent 2 days on this activation process?

Neil D 34,350 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-10-01T18:13:11.7366667+00:00

Generally you need to use the Get Help app in windows to contact support.

Did you buy the licence from Microsoft or 3rd party.

Was it purchased as a Windows 10 or 11 licence. Do you have a product key.

If you have a product key from the purchase enter that at Change product key in Settings. If it still doesn't activate the new installation then get ShowKeyPlus from the windows Store and enter the key at Check edition. What does it show about the licence.

Your answer

Neil D 34,350 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-10-01T18:13:11.7366667+00:00

Generally you need to use the Get Help app in windows to contact support.

Did you buy the licence from Microsoft or 3rd party.

Was it purchased as a Windows 10 or 11 licence. Do you have a product key.

If you have a product key from the purchase enter that at Change product key in Settings. If it still doesn't activate the new installation then get ShowKeyPlus from the windows Store and enter the key at Check edition. What does it show about the licence.