Can you upgrade from Windows 10 Home to pro?

If you’re running Windows 10 Home on your computer and you’re planning to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro, you know that you need to purchase a product key. However, if you’re not sure if the upgrade is worth it, and you want to give it a try, Microsoft offers a default product key that let you upgrade your system for free.

Of course, there is a catch, if you use the default product key to upgrade, Windows 10 won’t activate, as you need to actually pay Microsoft to get a valid product key.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro using the default product key.

How to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Update & security.

3. Click on Activation.

4. Click the Change Product key button.

5. Enter the 25-digit product key:

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   Change product key to upgrade Windows 10

6. As you enter the product key will trigger the upgrade process, then simply follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade.

Once you complete the upgrade process, you can purchase a valid product key on Amazon, Microsoft Store, or click Go to Store on the Settings app to a product key from the Windows Store.

If you have a Windows 8.x Pro product key, it will also work to activate Windows 10 Pro.

Although you can always get a Windows 10 Pro product key and then upgrade, sometimes, you want to see if your computer will support the upgrade or you want to test the operating system before making the purchase, and using the default product key, you have at least another option.

What is the easy way to upgrade Windows 10 from Home to Pro? How to upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro for free? In the following, we will show you the best way to help you upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro edition.

Windows 10 Home vs Pro Edition

Windows 10 is the latest operating system offered by Microsoft to power up devices such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices. It comes in two versions: The Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro.

Windows 10 Home is a basic variant with key features in its look and operation: a polished Start Menu; a more comprehensive version of Cortana (formerly exclusive to Windows phones); Virtual Desktop and Task View for a more organized desktop viewing; Battery Saver for better power efficiency; and TPM microchip support for more security.

All the features in Home are packed in Windows 10 Pro, along with many advanced features in privacy, connectivity, and business functionality. One notable feature is Hyper-V which allows the user to test the software by emulating other operating systems. Besides this, the Pro version also has Domain Join which gives remote access to the work domain group. Other additional functions that strengthen work administration and security are Group Policy Management and Bitlocker.

If you have the Home version and are thinking about upgrading to Windows 10 Pro, make sure that you have a backup of your files and data. You can follow the 3-2-1 rule: make 3 copies of your backup, store them in 2 kinds of storage media and save 1 copy offsite.

How to Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro with Product Key

If you got your copy of Microsoft Windows 10 Pro elsewhere for a cut off the original price ($99.99), you may just get a License Key (also Product Key) to activate the software.
Step 1. Make sure that your computer is up to date.
Step 2. On your desktop, select Start (Window logo) then select Settings (cogwheel icon). Alternatively, you can click the Windows button + I on your keyboard.
Step 3. Choose Update & Security and select Activation on the left-hand side menu.

Step 4. Select Change product key found under Activation.

Step 5. Key in the 25-digit Product license key in the dialogue box and press Next.

Step 6. Once the correct key is entered, the upgrade will start and you will get a prompt when it finishes.

How to Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro without Activation

Step 1. Open the "Settings" > "Update & Security" and click "Activation" on the left pane.

Step 2. Pick Activation on the left-side tab and choose Go to the Store.

Step 3. A new Microsoft Store pop-up window will appear, with the Buy button. Click on it, log in to your Microsoft account, and key in your payment details.

Wait for the process completed and restart your PC, then you'll get Windows 10 Pro edition upgraded.

How to Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro for Free

If you had the previous Pro version of Windows (Windows 7/8/8.1), or if you have the product keys for older Pro versions, you will be able to upgrade your Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro by using the Windows 10 upgrade assistant. This means that the edition you use for your PC is retained, Pro in this case.

MANUAL UPGRADE TO PRO:

Step 1. Open Windows Store and log into your Microsoft account.
Step 2. On the Options button, choose Download and Updates.
Step 3. Choose Get Updates and wait for the store to finish the update process.

Step 4. On the list of available updates, search Windows 10, and press Enter.
Step 5. A dialogue box will appear, asking "Have you saved all your files". Click on the "Yes, let's go" button.

Step 6. Restart your computer once you have the completion message 100% complete on the screen.

Step 7. To check if the installation is successful, click the Windows button + I on the keyboard to open the Settings menu. Choose Update & Security and click Activation.
Windows 10 Pro is power-packed with a host of useful features, especially if you need full functionality for your business and added security to your data. It has more than what the Home version offers, and is definitely worth the price. Just follow the steps shown above to upgrade Windows 10 home to pro, and upgrading will be easy!

Common Issues Faced While Upgrading

Sometimes, while upgrading Windows some issues may occur which can affect or terminate the upgrading process and may also lead to loss of data, such as-

1. Not enough space to install Windows 10 Pro

   If you’re planning to install Windows 10 Pro, it is highly recommended that you keep at least 20GB of free space on your hard drive to allow the Windows to successfully download and install. If you want to check how much space is left on your system, open My Computer and right-click on each drive. Select “Properties” and check storage.

2. Your old software not compatible with Windows 10 Pro

   Upgrading to Windows 10 Pro from Windows 10 Home can cause compatibility issues with old software. This makes some applications become broken or can stop working. You may need to delete and reinstall the software to continue using the latest Windows 10 Pro.

3. Inconvenient software update reboots

   Sometimes, random reboots at the most inappropriate times can interfere with the regular automatic updates of Windows 10. So, you might want to prevent such reboots. To do so, go to your system’s settings. Then click on Update & Security, and open Windows Update. Now, click on “Advanced Options” and select “Notify to Schedule Restart.” You can now start the reboot without interrupting your activity.

4. Your PC is not powerful enough to support Windows 10 Pro

   There are a few system requirements to successfully upgrade and run Windows 10 Pro. Such requirements are relatively low. They include-

   • 2 GB RAM for 64 bit
   • 1 GB RAM for 32 bit
   • The processor of 1GHz or more
   • At least 16 GB of hard drive space
   • A Microsoft account and internet access
   • Microsoft DirectX 9 graphic device

FAQs:

How much time does it take to upgrade Windows?

The time required to upgrade Windows 10 Pro significantly varies from system to system. It also depends on how stable your internet connection is and how fast it is, the network settings, and the update size of the file.

How much does it cost to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro?

It costs $99 for a one-time upgrade to Windows 10 Pro through the Microsoft Store. You can pay with a credit or debit card linked to your Microsoft Account.

What are the exclusive features of Windows 10 Pro?

Windows 10 Pro is loaded with all features of Windows 10 Home and has additional features that target the professionals and business environments. These include Remote Desktop, BitLocker, Active Directory, Windows Defender Device Guard, and Hyper-V.

Is it worth upgrading to Windows 10 Pro from Windows 10 Home?

Most users may consider Windows 10 Pro to be just extra cash. However, people who have to regularly manage an office network, find it absolutely worth the upgrade and is highly recommended for office professionals.

More Words

If you are looking for Windows 10 that can meet your simple demands, or if you are using it for yourself, then the Windows 10 Home is more than enough to perform the standard functions for day-to-day use needed from an OS. Also, the Pro version is considerably more expensive than Windows 10 Home ($199 for Pro versus $119 for Home), and upgrading from your old version to Pro costs $99.99. A hundred bucks would be too much additional expense if you are looking to use Windows 10 for personal consumption only.

Upgrade Windows 10 computer system, if you did not back up any data files on your computer. You will lose all the important files.

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