How to upgrade 1511 from Home to Pro?

Anonymous
2015-11-16T20:31:01+00:00

I'm not having any luck figuring out how to upgrade from Home to Pro with an existing key.  My system has been running Home and is currently running version 1511.  I've decided to go ahead and use an existing key to upgrade to Pro.  I did a clean install, expecting to be asked to specify a version and provide a key during install, but was never asked for either.  The installer simply formatted the hard drive and installed Home and activated it, with no input from me after the install started other than agree to the terms and tell it my language.

OK, no problem I thought, I'll just go to the Activation setting and give it the new key from there.  However, if I tell it I want to change the key it comes back and says the key I'm giving it can only activate Pro and I'm running Home.  If I go the Store route and tell it I already have a Pro key, it gives me the same message - it tells me my key is for Pro but I'm running Home.  Nowhere along the way does it offer to take my key and give me the upgrade, rather it implies that I must somehow magically upgrade it myself before changing the key.  And that would be fine if I could figure out how to do that.

Anyone know how to force an install of Pro when the installer automatically installs Home with no option given to change it?

Volunteer Moderator/MVP Edit 4/21 -

One must insert the Generic Version Key to first change to Pro.  After Version 1803 if you don't yet have a Digital License for Pro it will not change to Pro version by inserting the default Version key.  So access Action Center at right end of task bar to turn on Airplane Mode to go offline, copy and paste the Generic Pro Key VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T in Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Change Product Key which will change Home to Pro, then go back online and it will activate with your Pro Product Key or Digital License.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-03-08T03:40:07+00:00

    I appreciate that Greg, but this link is to the "x64.zip" file. Most of the computers I work with are, for a variety of reasons, still 32-bit, even the Windows 7, 8.1 & 10 ones.  Could you please post a link to the 32-bit version of this utility?  TIA

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  2. Greg Carmack 24,780 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2016-03-08T00:32:32+00:00

    Install and run ProduKey which will report the Product Key embedded in BIOS as OEM-BIOS key, which you can then insert in the link at Settings>System>About providing it confirms there you have Version 1511.  If not expedite it from WIndows Update or download and install it from Media Creation Tool.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-03-07T22:28:10+00:00

    Try this tool I made and uploaded for anyone needing it.  It works in all the current versions of Windows I've got running. 

    http://www.filedropper.com/productkeyfinder

    I know the name is a bit on the nose, but it works.

    Michael

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-03-07T16:40:10+00:00

    Also there is a Microsoft page that is for products no longer supported.  There are still some useful instructions.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/824433

    Michael

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-03-07T16:33:46+00:00

    Follow the directions in this link and you should be able to find your key in the registry.

    How to Find Your Lost Windows or Office Product Keys

    This one works.  I tested it on my system, and pulled up my serial key onto the desktop.

    Michael

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