I'm helping someone who needs to install Windows 11 on their Mac using Parallels for work purposes. They already have a Microsoft 365 Business Premium license. Do you have any suggestions for where I can obtain a Windows 11 license besides the Microsoft Store? Thanks!
4 Answers
I use Parallels too, and I remember installing Windows without entering a license key at first. It seems like it might come with a built-in license, but double-check to ensure that’s still the case.
If you're on the Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan, you'll need Windows Virtual Desktop Access, as the E3 and E5 plans include virtualization benefits but not the premium one. It's worth checking into that for compatibility with Parallels.
Thanks for the tip! I just checked with our distributor, and they offer something called Windows 11 Pro (NCE NFP BAS PER 1TM) for about $62 USD. I’m going to reach out to them to see if we can get it added to our cloud tenant.
If you're considering alternatives to the Microsoft Store, just remember that it’s usually just one license. Trying to find a slightly cheaper option might end up costing you more time and hassle than just buying a straightforward license outright.
Yeah, I get that. I’m still looking around, but I might go with the store option just for simplicity.
Interestingly enough, I've heard that Microsoft may still provide Windows 11 on DVD in some regions. Though, I'm not sure if the ARM64 version is available on disc.
Actually, I checked and it turns out you do need a separate license. You can look up more details on the Parallels support site.