Is Windows 11 "PRO" required when using Windows in Parallels 18 on M1/M2 Macs?

I am attempting to install parallels on macOS but it only lets me install Windows 11 Home.

 

I don't even have an option...it automatically downloads Pro but I only have a Home key from 10 that I'm using. I'm having to do the UUPdump route just to get a version to activate. I had to do the same thing earlier this year but had a HD failure and I'm having to start from scratch with all of this.

 

I am having issue too.

I firstly download parallels desktop on 29-jan 2023 and the Windows version that was installed was Windows 11 HOME. So, I did buy Windows 11 Home.
Days ago I had to re-install Parallels again. So I did reinstall both Parallels and Windows the same way I did when I first downloaded Parallels, on 29-jan 2023, but this time the Windows version installed was Windows 11 PRO.

Something must be change. If I had known earlier about the mandatory need to have a Windows 11 PRO , I would have bought the PRO version instead of te HOME version, but now my HOME version seems obsolete in this kind of scenario.

I need to fix this because I don't want to throw away my money like this, since we are also paying yearly for Parallels, some information must be disclosed.

It is possible to contact Parallels Support in order to figure it out this problem?

Thanks

 

You usually can find an upgrade to Windows Pro for around $20 (especially during Christmas season). I think I found my upgrade for less than $20.

 

Thanks, I will try to upgrade!

 

Hi,

I'm having similar issues. I bought Windows Home, as I didn't see the need for pro, only to find it won't accept it as pro (ARC?) was installed by default. I'll reluctantly buy windows pro, but when I try to buy it, it wants to automatically update my home version, which of course isn't installed.
If I install Parallels again it will install the Pro version of Windows and I'll be stuck in the same situation!

Any advice appreciated. Thanks

 

I had the same issue when I got an M2 and tried a fresh Win11Home install and had to email support.
I discovered the default these days is win 11 pro with no obvious way to install home. They don't even mention home as an easily installable option and you have to fiddle with the system to make Home even work. (There's a thread somewhere around here about it) I tried but gave up.
It annoyed me so much that I just installed win11 pro from scratch and the truth is you can just simply download Win11Pro use it for free and let it nag you forever, so that's how I do it.
there are two options to install, either through parallels (easiest) or via an image downloaded from Microsoft. If. Can find the support reference email I'll post it here.

 

Hi Matt,
Thanks for the reply, that's really helpful. I think I'm going to have to reinstall parallels and manually instal home (if it will let me) and then upgrade to pro immediately.
I'm pretty p'd off with Parallels. If it had been made clear, I would have just bought pro in the first place - Even though I don't need it!

 

Hi,
After a lot of p'ing around with Microsoft support (very poor!) I got a refund for Home and repurchased Pro.
Not best pleased, but at least it's sorted now.

 

Seems Windows 11 Pro is required to run Windows for Arm on virtualized platform (i.e. Parrallels).
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...depend on an,available in the Amazon Appstore