If you can reach Parallels support, they will give you a temporary key so you can get back into your VMs. I received a response on X that stated "This issue has been escalated to the concerned department."
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Parallels Desktop 26 Adds Support for macOS Tahoe and Windows 11 2025 Update
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Same issue here.
Thanks. I filled a ticket on their support site a couple of hours ago. No response, yet. I'll try X next.
One big difference was an expanding user base meant new customers and periodic upgrades was enough to survive. The market is pretty stagnant so developers need new ways to stay solvent.
Given their regular sales I’ve never paid more than $50. I do agree the list price is set to encourage subscription purchases.
I agree, but their model appears to be overpriced for its value. I regularly purchase software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom subscription, along with a few macOS tools that are reasonably priced.
Wait, they mean to tell me that we cannot play Pretty Derby with Steam on Mac? (The background picture there)
That's just an absurd malignant response. Do you have even the slightest iota of proof to back up this irresponsible claim? Of course not!
Well it's not like it never happened in the past....so yes we got proof.
It's about the only app that has "compatibly issue" from one os to another....I might understand after 3- 4 version, but each Mac Os release?
For me, I primarily use Parallels Desktop to build my home lab environment. The biggest frustration is that even the latest version of the Standard Edition license (a one-time purchase) doesn't support enabling vTPM (on existing Windows 10 VM), and nested virtualization (Hyper-V purpose). Only the Pro Edition, which requires an annual fee, has these features enabled by Parallels, however the completely free VMware Fusion supports them, amazing, but I'm still hesitant about migrating my entire lab away from Parallels Desktop. After all, since VMware was acquired, I'm skeptical about whether its parent company will continue investing in this Fusion product.
Additionally, for users wanting to experience Windows games on a Mac, Crossover (paid) delivers a far superior experience compared to PD.
In short, I see little reason to spend more money on Parallels Desktop.
----From a long time PD user
Additionally, for users wanting to experience Windows games on a Mac, Crossover (paid) delivers a far superior experience compared to PD.
In short, I see little reason to spend more money on Parallels Desktop.
----From a long time PD user
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Given US export control laws,Broadcom probably wants to ensure they comply and thus need taht information.
I never ran into an issue using a 3 year old version; but then again all I primarily use it for is to run Office and check browser compatibility with web sites I develop.
Same here. I wonder how it fits into their long term plans. I hope it sticks around as it fits my use case fine; I've tried UTM but it was a nightmare, crashing often. I have not tried it lately after my initial experience, things may have changed.
There's also Wine, which forms the basis for CrossOver and is free OSS.
I'm at that point as well; provided I can get Fusion to open my Documents and D/L folders. It opens all others using SMB, just not those; but those are crucial to my use case.
I checked the updater and no updates were available on mine. Still on the latest 20.x version.
Good news is that you can revert back to 20.4.1.55996 easily, without any data loss.
As of Wednesday, version 26.0.0.57238 still has the "Unable to verify the license signature" error.
Here is the reply from my open support case:
Dear Valued Customer,
Thank you for contacting Parallels Support. This message has been automatically generated by the Parallels Support Portal, in response to your support request "License key isn't working for Parallels 26 - have valid subscription - REDCATED". The Ticket ID created to track your request is [Parallels #RECACTED].
When replying, make sure to keep the subject line [Parallels #REDACTED] License key isn't working for Parallels 26 - have valid subscription - REDCATED unchanged.
Parallels Support representative will review your request and send you a personal response shortly.
Sincerely,
The Parallels Support Team
As of Wednesday, version 26.0.0.57238 still has the "Unable to verify the license signature" error.
Here is the reply from my open support case:
Dear Valued Customer,
Thank you for contacting Parallels Support. This message has been automatically generated by the Parallels Support Portal, in response to your support request "License key isn't working for Parallels 26 - have valid subscription - REDCATED". The Ticket ID created to track your request is [Parallels #RECACTED].
When replying, make sure to keep the subject line [Parallels #REDACTED] License key isn't working for Parallels 26 - have valid subscription - REDCATED unchanged.
Parallels Support representative will review your request and send you a personal response shortly.
Sincerely,
The Parallels Support Team
Attachments
Parallels tech support posted that the license issue is a known issue. They are recommending a downgrade for anyone affected. https://forum.parallels.com/threads/parallels-26-wont-activate.368213/
While I understand, they specify that in their upgrade email
"Avoid compatibility surprises"
UTM does not provide directx12. 3d acceleration is not on the same level. As far as the Apple hypervisor you don't need neither UTM nor Paralles to run supported macOS's there. The hypervisor only exposes 2d to Linux quests though.Why buy this when UTM exists and also uses Apples native virtualization technology?
GitHub - utmapp/UTM: Virtual machines for iOS and macOS
Virtual machines for iOS and macOS. Contribute to utmapp/UTM development by creating an account on GitHub.github.com
KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a Linux software-based virtualization technology built directly into the Linux kernel. Has nothing to do with Apple hypervisor. Parallels uses directly the Apple hypervisor for the macOS's. They just provide the wrapper. Like I said you can compile a linux machine running on the Apple hypervisor, but Apple only exposes 2d acceleration to Linux hosts and 3d to macOS's.
My main point:
"There is also no support for GPU virtualization so that means no DirectX or OpenGL. This makes most modern games non-playable.”
"Can I run games?
No, probably not. UTM does not currently support GPU emulation/virtualization on Windows and therefore lacks support for 3D acceleration (e.g. OpenGL and DirectX). You may be able to run older games with software rendering options, but nothing with hardware acceleration. There is experimental support for hardware OpenGL acceleration on Linux through Virgl."Btw my first citation is from Getutm.app/faq. I was talking about UTM, not Parallels so your remark has nothing to do either with my comment. I responded to those saying people could use UTM instead of Parallels.
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There is 3d support in UTM , Parallels and especially on the Apple hypervisor running macOS guests. You can render OpenGL applications watch YouTube videos with 8K resolution etc. most of the games are developed for Windows so the only choice to run Windows 11 with decent 3d acceleration is Parallels.
I don’t know why you keep mentioning Parallels. I know about Parallels and its support for HW-accelerated 3D graphics via DirectX and OpenGL on Mac. I’m talking about UTM’s lack of support for HW-accelerated 3D graphics via DirectX and OpenGL on Mac. UTM on Mac has only software-rendered 3D graphics. UTM can’t replace Parallels unlike what some people said.
This is what I was trying to emphasize. UTM has hardware acceleration on Silicon mac for 3d rendering with openG through virglrenderer on Linux guests. I am mentioning Parallels because that is what the thread is for.