Windows Product Key for Installation

Hello,

I have used prior versions of Parallels (3 and 4), but when I recently purchased my new Mac, I decided to purchase Parallels 5. The product downloaded successfully, but when I went to create a new virtual machine, it asked for a Windows Product Key, which I do not have. I've never had to purchase an operating system in addition to Parallels, so I was confused by this. Do we now have to purchase a Windows operating system for Parallels 5, or did I just not go about the installation process correctly?

Thanks.

 

Well... if you want to run Windows, you'll need Windows. Parallels provides the "frame" for the Virtual Machine. It doesn't matter which OS is running on that VM - could be Mac OS X (Server), Windows, one of many UNIX flavors, you name it. What this means is that you need to add your desired OS. If you use Linux or Mac OS Server, you won't need a product key. If you want to use Windows, you'll need one (because Windows wants one).

What you could do is to run your VM (that you previously ran with Parallels 3 and 4) in Parallels 5. Then you can continue using whatever OS you'd been using with Parallels before.