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
    2016-07-23T19:45:56+00:00

    I did this thinking it would give me pro (activated). I just want to know, can I downgrade to home again, and if so how?

    Help would be gratefully appreciated,

    Archie Stride

     

    To return to Windows 10 Home your primary options are:

    • Restore a previously created Win10 Home image(created with imaging software, e.g. Windows Backup/Restore, Acronis True Image, Macrium Reflect, etc.)

    -  Clean install Win10 Home using Win10 installation media

    -  Restore(from an image) or clean install the qualifying 'Home' o/s (7/8x) then upgrade to Win10 Home prior to July 29th, 2016.

    • Use the OEM provided Recovery disks to restore the factory installed Home o/s(7/8x) then upgrade to Win10 Home prior to July 29th, 2016.

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  2. Neil D 34,280 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2016-07-23T16:12:33+00:00

    To go from Pro to Home is a clean install I believe.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-07-23T16:08:11+00:00

    I did this thinking it would give me pro (activated). I just want to know, can I downgrade to home again, and if so how?

    Help would be gratefully appreciated,

    Archie Stride

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-05-18T06:00:15+00:00

    Hi and many thanks for your help, was smooth and easy - ur genius.

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  5. Greg Carmack 24,780 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2016-05-12T22:44:27+00:00

    Is this the inferior in-place Upgrade, or just the default key method to Pro?

    I'd first go over the Windows 10 Install Integrity Checklist

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