How to upgrade 1511 from Home to Pro?

Anonymous

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.

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181 answers

Greg Carmack 24,780 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2015-12-24T02:47:24+00:00

If you didn't already have Pro Windows 10 Entitlement or a Pro Product Key then the Pro default key should not have been inserted, as it was made clear that it does not Activate but only changes versions.

Now to go back to Home you'll need to Clean Install Windows 10 Upgrade.
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Anonymous

2015-12-24T02:33:32+00:00

How to revert back from windows 10 pro to windows 10 home? I've upgraded it using the product key given but I regret it as it cannot be activated and this thing appear on the bottom right corner of my screen.
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Greg Carmack 24,780 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2015-12-23T20:45:26+00:00

Lars -

You'd get a better install if you Clean Install Windows 10 Upgrade with Pro version, then afterwards activate with Windows 8 Pro Product Key.

If you want to do the inferior in-place Upgrade from 7 Home to 10 Home, you'll gain permanent Entitlement to 10 Home Version on the PC.

Then insert the Pro Default Key to change the OS version to Pro.

Then as long as you're using the latest Version 1511 media which allows this, you can insert the Windows 8 Pro Product Key to gain permanent Entitlement to Pro on the PC as well.

Follow the Version 1511 FAQ at the end of Activation in Windows 10
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Anonymous

2015-12-23T17:38:54+00:00

Charles,

So, can I use a Windows 7 Home to Pro upgrade key, to perform this upgrade (Windows 10 Home to Pro)?

Thanks!
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Anonymous

2015-12-23T08:40:34+00:00

Hi DarrenC1,

We are going to make these steps more visible and easier to find for folks. Sorry that has not been the case. The process is not really straight forward; I guess we were hoping folks would upgrade their 8 PCs to Pro and then upgrade to 10. Well we have lots of people and lots of scenarios and lots of folks want to start fresh.

From your Windows 10 Home running Version 1511, enter the Windows 10 Pro Default key under change product key.

VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T This default key will not activate the system, just take you to Pro so you can activate using a valid Pro key that you will provide.

Once you have done this, the system will go through an upgrade process from Home to Pro, but will not be activated on Pro. You can now enter your Windows 8 Pro key into your Windows 10 Pro system and it will activate.

I hope this helps

Charles

Just to be sure.

Will this work upgrading from Win 7 Home to 10 Home - and than to Win 10 Pro using a valid Win 8 Pro key?

Or is it only valid for a clean install?

/Lars
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