"specified image cannot be used" when trying to install Windows 11 Home ISO. Apple M3 Max runni

Discussion in 'Parallels Desktop on a Mac with Apple silicon' started by NikolaiS2, Oct 19, 2024.

  1. NikolaiS2

    NikolaiS2 Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    1) I installed Parallels Version 20.1.0 (55732)--Free Trial Version on my Apple M3 Max running Sequoia 15.0.1.
    2) During installation, rather than automatically installing Windows 11 Pro, I am selecting an ISO for Windows 11 Home, that I previously purchased and created an ISO for using the 3rd option on this Microsoft page:
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11/

    3) Upon selecting the file (Win11_24H2_English_x64.iso), Parallels gives me the following message:
    "The specified image cannot be used because your Mac is equipped with the Apple M series chip and Parallels Desktop doesn't support this operating systems version and(or) architecture."

    I'm in a time crunch here to get this working, any input is appreciated.
     
  2. NikolaiS2

    NikolaiS2 Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    I tried the alternate method of letting Parallels install Windows 11 during onboarding, with the hope that my Windows 11 Home license key would unlock the right version, but Parallels apparently automatically installs Windows 11 Pro, so now I'm getting an MS message that I don't have a "valid" key (I'm assuming because my key is for Windows 11 Home, not Pro). FML.
     

Share This Page