So I am making the jump from PC to Mac and just ordered a new 2017 27" Imac. I would like to install Win 10 Home on a Bootcamp partition (for Steam + some games) and also to install a couple of Parallels 12 Win 10 Virtual machines (one for Quicken/MS Office and one for light Windows gaming). I want the VMs to be completely independent of each other and the Bootcamp WIndows install (to isolate each from potential viruses). I believe you would call this installation an Imported Bootcamp VM. Obviously I would like to use the same Win 10 license key for both the bootcamp install and the VMs. Is the correct sequence to do this: 1. Create Windows 10 Bootcamp Partition via Bootcamp Assistant. - Do I use the WIndows 10th Anniversary ISO for this install? - Do i enter in my Win 10 license key (I will purchase a copy of Win 10 Home from Microsoft or Newegg)? - Do i then install the Creators update? 2. Install Parallels 12 on the Mac 3. Create a New VM (Use Windows from Boot Camp) 4. Import Boot Camp into your Parallels Desktop VM (as described here -- http://blog.parallels.com/2015/04/14/how-to-run-boot-camp-in-a-virtual-machine/ ) Will the VM copy of Windows be already authorized with the Win 10 license I used on Bootcamp or do I need to authorize it again? Can I just use the same license key? I understand that you can install Win 10 without a product key and it will work (with some customization limitations), so I will likely not buy the license key until i am sure that everything works the way i want it. If that is the case, once I do get the license key, do I put it in the Bootcamp install first and then go through steps three and four above again, or can i just enter the key in both the Bootcamp install and the Imported Boot Camp VM? If I clone the Imported Bootcamp VM to make a second virtual machine, will that already be licensed and authorized?
Hi RobertH20, We clearly understand your request but a Bootcamp based virtual machine or an imported Bootcamp will also request you to reactivate the Windows license on its creation as it is like changing the hardware. So instead of importing a Bootcamp, you can create a Bootcamp and a standalone virtual machine in Parallels Desktop separately.
Thanks for clarifying. Can I use the same Windows license key for both the boot camp and the standalone VM?
Hi @RobertH20 , if Microsoft allows you to use the same license in two different hardware it might be possible. Please check with Microsoft licensing team to get more information about Windows licenses.
