If you encounter a warning saying, “This copy of Parallels Desktop may not be genuine”, it can be alarming. However, before jumping to conclusions, it’s essential to understand why this warning appears. In some cases, it’s triggered by something simple and fixable, and in others, it’s a genuine alert about a potential problem with the software. Here’s a breakdown of what the warning means and how to resolve it.
Why Parallels Shows This Warning
Parallels Desktop checks the licensing and system integrity of its software to ensure it hasn’t been altered. When something seems off, the software flags it. There are two primary reasons for this:
- Pirated Software: If you downloaded Parallels from a third-party site, there’s a chance that the copy could be altered or bundled with malware, which would trigger the warning.
- Date and Time Settings: A more common, less dramatic cause is incorrect date and time settings on your Mac or within the Windows virtual machine. When the system clock is off, Parallels can’t verify the license properly, leading to the warning.
Start With Date and Time Settings
Before uninstalling anything, it’s a good idea to check your clocks. Here’s how:
- On your Mac: Open System Settings, go to Date and Time, and enable the option to set the time automatically, making sure Apple’s time server is selected.
- In the Windows virtual machine: Open Settings, go to Time and Language, and enable automatic time and time zone adjustments.
Once the settings are correct, quit Parallels, restart your Mac, and launch it again. In many cases, this will resolve the issue and remove the warning.
If You Installed Parallels From a Third-Party Site
If you downloaded Parallels from a third-party website instead of the official Parallels website or the Mac App Store, the warning is more likely to be legitimate. Here’s what to do:
- Delete the current copy of Parallels from your Applications folder and empty the Trash.
- Scan your Mac for malware using tools like Malwarebytes or a system utility like EtreCheck to ensure there’s no unwanted software running on your system.
- Reinstall Parallels from an official source (like Parallels’ official website) and activate it with a valid license.
When to Contact Parallels Support
If you’ve legitimately purchased Parallels and the warning keeps appearing, it’s time to contact Parallels Support. Have your activation key ready, and their support team can verify whether the license is valid and help reset it if needed.
The Bottom Line
This warning doesn’t always mean your Mac is compromised, but it’s something you shouldn’t ignore. Start by checking your date and time settings. If you downloaded the software from an unofficial source, remove it and clean your system. If everything checks out and the warning persists, contact Parallels Support. The goal is to ensure the software you’re using is safe, legitimate, and under your control.
