[SOLVED] Upgradin Win 10 Home > Pro

frase

frase

Well-Known Member
Reaction score
4,376
Location
Melbourne, Australia
I have a Home system - needs to be on Pro. So do I just upgrade the product key from Home to Pro and I will be able to access all the Pro Features. Doing so not losing any current programs, files etc. Is basic though actually something I have never done and put on the spot here.

TIA.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GTP
You can do it directly in Windows. Go to Settings --> Update and Security --> Activation --> Then select the option to take you to the Microsoft Store.

Everything you need to do to buy the upgrade and install it will be right there.

NOTE: Make sure you are running the most up to date version of Window 10 home first, and make sure you have backed up your system in case something happens during the upgrade.
 
I'll have to update my information. I have a note from Microsoft in my Evernote account from this time last year with the above instructions. Yours are much easier. I don't know why Microsoft makes you go the long way round.
 
frase said:
So do I just upgrade the product key from Home to Pro and I will be able to access all the Pro Features.
Click to expand...

Yep, and precisely where @Fred Claus indicated. But if you already have a valid (and, of course, not previously used) Windows 10 Pro key, then you needn't go through buying another one.

If that's the case just go to Settings, Update & Security, Activation Pane, then activate the Change product key link which will start the dialogs where you enter it, and then Windows does the voodoo necessary under the hood to activate all the Pro features.

Many do not know that a Home and a Pro installation are identical as far as exactly what's installed on the machine, what varies is what features are activated and available for use.

I updated my other laptop using the method outlined above, since I already had a key purchased.
 
Yes thanks all just wanted to cover my bases first. I am going over to run a full backup then just go via the store method, is one 2OH2 both systems. @britechguy I do not have an available key as that would be great.
 
frase said:
I have a Home system - needs to be on Pro. So do I just upgrade the product key from Home to Pro and I will be able to access all the Pro Features. Doing so not losing any current programs, files etc. Is basic though actually something I have never done and put on the spot here.

TIA.
Click to expand...
Done this many times for businesses that buy their own gear from places like Hardly Normal, Officeworks or JBHiFi etc.
They get consumer grade rubbish thinking it'll be fine for a business environment (and sometimes it is) but soon realise they need Pro.
Its a painless procedure that literally only takes a couple of minutes.
I usually buy key cards from a supplier and use the link in settings > Activation > "Change Product Key"

2 mins later its Pro.
 
One PC is stuck @ Preparing for upgrade - 0% errors eventually to Error 0x80042306.
Now I think this error is linked to the Volume Shadow Service. As I had a hard time using Macrium to create an image. I was constantly getting VSS errors.

The second system went fine straight away, this main one is a pain.

Have check HDD for errors
Ran DISM
Cleared SD Folder
Cleared all temp files
Stopped Windows Update service and every else

Still 0% every time.
 
Last edited:
Another tidbit, the Anytime Upgrade process will work if the platform is fed a Volume or Retail Windows 10 Pro key!

And, since Amazon and other online retailers have largely abandoned OEM licensing in favor of retail... you can just take that box set of Win10 Pro from Amazon and slap the key into a Home install and watch it update.

This process also has the additional benefit of giving you a COA sticker to put on the box itself, to assist future re-installation efforts!
 
It was from MS Store - as had no time to fap about. Last time I am doing it that way as well as MS are a pain.

@Porthos, yes I did that already via a .bat file. Tried the WRT repair tools sane deal. So it the bullet, now onsite and upgrading via Media Creation Tool.
 
Last edited:
frase said:
It was from MS Store - as had no time to fap about. Last time I am doing it that way as well as MS are a pain.
Click to expand...
You can buy an ESD license of Windows 10 Pro and have the key emailed to you, from distributors and resellers, legitimately. I just got a 365 Family key from distributor Synnex (Australia) and the key arrived in my inbox 1 minute later. Note these are full licenses (not just upgrades).

For Win 10 Pro ESD, Synnex charges $253 (incl gst), legit reseller www.saveonit.com.au charges $275

What did Microsoft charge for the upgrade license online?
 
Was $AUS169.00

I ended up nuking it and activated on boot.Something was corrupted holding it back. Did not have enough time to get to the choppa.
 
yea nah bypass Hardley Normal for me. Well all fixed now thanks all, was just something I had never done before and wont again. MS Store method is just a mindfeck trying to get a simple key request. Will just as @Barcelona stated purchase some valid keys to have on hand.
 
Out of curiosity, does MS provide a product key after buying the upgrade from the app store?

"purchase some valid keys to have on hand"
As I mentioned earlier, keys can be purchased from disties or resellers on demand. Key arrives in minutes. BUT there's no way of buying the cheaper UPGRADE keys from anywhere except Microsoft or Harvey Norman. Most techs probably just use the full keys that are over $100 more than upgrade keys, punishment for the user that bought consumer grade equipment!
 
Does it matter if you get the key? I'm sure if you tried to use the key again it would say it was already used. The license is tied to the machine that is upgraded and is a Digital License. From what I read say if you change the motherboard, as long as you tied the license to a Microsoft Account you can reactivate it.

In Windows 10 (version 1607 or later), it is essential that you link your Microsoft account with the Windows 10 digital license on your device. Linking your Microsoft account with your digital license allows you to reactivate Windows using the Activation troubleshooter whenever you make a significant hardware change.
Click to expand...

Reactivating Windows after a hardware change - Microsoft Support

Learn how to prepare your Windows device for a hardware change and find help reactivating Windows after a hardware change is complete.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

thecomputerguy
Can I use a UDM-Pro as a controller ONLY?
Replies
1
Views
115
phaZed
phaZed
britechguy
Microsoft and Windows Licensing (I know, groan, not again!)
Replies
11
Views
828
fincoder
fincoder
ThatPlace928
Workarounds for Windows 11 on Incompatible Hardware
6 7 8
Replies
142
Views
6K
Sky-Knight
Sky-Knight
Appletax
[SOLVED] Loading live Ubuntu triggered BitLocker Recovery Key
2
Replies
22
Views
1K
frase
frase
P
Selling ancient MacBook Pro : upgrade or not the operating system.
Replies
8
Views
409
ThatPlace928
ThatPlace928
Back
Top