A Parallels Desktop Serial Key, also known as a product activation key or license key, is essential for activating your copy of Parallels Desktop for Mac. This key consists of 30 characters, neatly organized into five blocks of six, like this: XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX. Purchasing Parallels Desktop grants you this unique key, ensuring you can unlock the full functionality of the software.
Losing your Parallels Desktop serial key can be a frustrating experience, especially when you need to reinstall the software or move it to a new Mac. Fortunately, retrieving your lost key is usually straightforward. This guide outlines several methods to help you locate your parallels desktop serial key quickly and easily, ensuring you can get back to using Parallels Desktop without interruption.
Understanding Your Parallels Desktop Serial Key
Before diving into recovery methods, it’s helpful to understand what you’re looking for. As mentioned, the parallels desktop serial key is a 30-character code in a specific format. This key acts as your proof of purchase and is necessary to activate the software after installation. Typically, you receive this key immediately after purchasing Parallels Desktop, either online or from a reseller. It’s delivered in various ways, such as within your Parallels account, in a purchase confirmation email, or inside the packaging of a boxed copy. Knowing where to initially look can significantly speed up the retrieval process.
Methods to Retrieve Your Parallels Desktop Serial Key
If you’ve misplaced your parallels desktop serial key, don’t worry. There are several avenues you can explore to recover it. Let’s walk through each method step-by-step.
Method 1: Accessing Your Parallels Account Dashboard
Your Parallels account is often the quickest and most reliable place to find your serial key. Here’s how to locate it:
- Navigate to the Parallels Account Dashboard and log in using your credentials.
- Once logged in, look for the “Parallels Desktop for Mac” section. Underneath it, click on Active subscriptions and permanent licenses.
- Select the specific subscription or permanent license for which you need the key.
- Within the subscription details, you will find a License Keys box. Your parallels desktop serial key will be displayed here.
If you can’t find your key under “Active subscriptions and permanent licenses,” it’s worth checking the Legacy licenses section in your Parallels Account Dashboard. Older licenses might be located there.
Parallels Account Dashboard showing License Keys section
Method 2: Checking the Parallels Online Store (Cleverbridge)
If you purchased Parallels Desktop directly from the Parallels Online Store, your serial key might be retrievable through Cleverbridge, Parallels’ online store partner.
Click here to access the Cleverbridge customer self-service portal. Alternatively, search your email inbox for messages from cleverbridge (sender address: [email protected]). Your purchase confirmation email from Cleverbridge should contain your parallels desktop serial key.
Method 3: Locating Your Key in Purchase Emails or Box Packaging
If you purchased Parallels Desktop from a reseller, the serial key is typically sent to you via email. Check the email address you used during the purchase. Search for order confirmation emails from the reseller; these emails usually contain the parallels desktop serial key.
For those who purchased a boxed copy of Parallels Desktop, the serial key is located inside the box, usually on a card or within the documentation included.
Method 4: Using Terminal Command on Your Mac
For users who have already installed and activated Parallels Desktop on their Mac, you can retrieve a partial serial key using the Terminal application.
- Open Terminal. You can find it by going to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
- Type or paste the following command and press Enter:
prlsrvctl info --licenseFor Parallels Desktop 15 and later versions, the output will display a portion of your license key in the format: XXXXXX-******-******-******-XXXXXX. This output provides information about the license currently used for product activation on your Mac.
For Parallels Desktop 14 and earlier versions, the output will show a serial line with numeric codes like this: xxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx. If you have used multiple activation keys on the same Mac, you might see several codes listed.
To get the full key from the older format, copy the entire serial line output and provide it to Parallels Support for assistance.
Still Can’t Find Your Key? Contact Parallels Support
If none of the above methods have helped you locate your parallels desktop serial key, your next step should be to contact Parallels Support directly. When contacting support, it’s helpful to provide them with proof of purchase. Attach a copy of your purchase invoice, which includes details of your transaction. This will assist them in quickly locating your license information and providing you with the necessary parallels desktop serial key. You can reach Parallels Support through their website: Parallels Support.
Conclusion
Finding your lost Parallels Desktop serial key is usually a simple process. By checking your Parallels account, purchase emails, or using the Terminal command, you can often retrieve it yourself. Remember to keep your serial key in a safe place once you’ve found it for easy access in the future. And if you’re still unable to locate it, Parallels Support is available to assist you. With these methods, you should be able to recover your parallels desktop serial key and continue enjoying the benefits of running Windows on your Mac.
