reinstall windows 10 in parallels 14

Last week, I accidentally opened a screenshot taken by the Parallels toolbox while the VM was booted down. The machine froze while trying to boot and access the screenshot. I restarted and 'repaired' the machine several times but it appears there was fatal corruption of some DLL files. Several Windows applications no longer function properly so I tried to reset and refresh the install from the Windows. Refresh/Restore/Reset fails in each attempt.

I have decided that I need to start fresh and reinstall Windows 10 but can't do that either. I tried downloading Windows 10 through Parallels and activating with my Windows license but I get a message that license is in use (this after the first VM is removed from Parallels). Is it possible to force Parallels to update and overwrite an existing Windows installation? Is there another option I'm not considering?? I'm close to giving up on Parallels completely...

 

Hi @Lisa4, i order to reactivate Windows OS you can use the following steps:

1. Sign in as an administrator. For more info, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10.
2. Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Troubleshoot . The troubleshooter will show Windows can't be activated on your device.
3. Select I changed hardware on this device recently, then select Next.
4. Enter your connected Microsoft account and password, then select Sign in. The troubleshooter will only work with the connected Microsoft account.
5. From the list of devices that are linked to your Microsoft account, select the check box next to This is the device I'm using right now.
6. Select Activate.