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
    2018-07-10T15:51:42+00:00

    Good day

    in the solution it is described that with the "alternative" key (removed) -9MPGT-3V66T it is possible to update to the Pro version. Only appears with me the error message, Windows can not be activated on this device because they have no valid license or no valid product key (0x803fa067). But I bought a DVD with a key, unfortunately with an OEM version. Can one thus no longer perform an update? Thank you very much for your help. Sorry for my english.

    Best regards Robert

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  2. Greg Carmack 24,780 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2018-06-24T16:29:18+00:00

    Did you correctly boot the installer created only by Media Creation tool http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install

    by powering up while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu key only

    https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutorials/23010-bios-boot-menu-f-keys-hotkeys-system-manufacturer-oem.html

    then choose the UEFI verison of media, Install Now, Custom Install, delete all partitions showing at drive selection Screen. 

    The only reason then it would force Home is if it detects an embedded WIndows 8 or 10 Home key.   In that case go into Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Change Product Key to insert the Generic Pro key from here:  http://winaero.com/blog/generic-key-to-install-windows-10-rtm/.  If any interference, take the PC offline.

    This will change the version to Pro after which you can use the Pro Product Key in the same location to activate. 

    I hope this helps.  Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes.  I will keep working with you until it's resolved.  

    ________________________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer:   There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-06-24T15:22:23+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?

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  4. Greg Carmack 24,780 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2018-05-29T15:44:25+00:00

    If you have a Windows 8 PC that has an embedded Home Key then it will force Home version during install.  If not you should get the menu as long as you're booting the media properly (as a UEFI device if offered) and not running it from Windows.  See the full steps here:  Clean Install Windows 10

    Now as to the upgrade to Pro version using Product Key, in older versions you must first insert into Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Change Product Key the generic key for the Pro version from here:  Generic key to install Windows 10 RTM

    This changes it to Pro version first and then you can use your Pro key to activate. 

    In newer versions it will not accept the generic key if there is no Digital License already for that version, so you must use the Pro Product Key itself.  

    I hope this helps.

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-05-29T07:44:27+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?

    Was this answer helpful?

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