Windows 10 Home has everything most consumers are looking for in a desktop OS, but that’s not the case for everyone. If you’re a PC enthusiast or own a small business, the extra features offered in Windows 10 Pro could make it the much better choice. Show
In total, there are 12 additional features that you’ll be able to access after upgrading to Windows 10 Pro. These include BitLocker encryption software, Remote Desktop Connection (allowing any Windows 10 device to control your PC remotely) and a virtualization tool known as Hyper-V. You’ll also get business-specific updates and device management controls. Want more details? Read our article on five reasons to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. Beyond all the power-user features, if you’re considering updating to Windows 11 Pro, you’ll need to have Windows 10 Pro installed first. Microsoft is only offering free upgrades to the equivalent version of Windows 11. Upgrading from Windows 10 Home to Pro will usually cost you $99, although it’s currently available for $69.99 via the PCWorld Store. This method uses an OEM code, one of the easiest ways to update your PC or laptop. How to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro using an OEM codeBelow, we’ll show you exactly how the OEM code upgrade process is done. But before proceeding, there are a few things you’ll need to do to ensure the process runs smoothly. First, make sure your version of Windows 10 Home is activated using a digital license. To check, head to Settings > Update & Security > Activation. Next, turn off all background processes as these can interfere with the upgrade process. Hit Windows Key + X and open Task Manager, then click “End task” next to anything within the Processes tab. Finally, restart your device. You’re now ready to carry out the installation:
This process can be repeated on as many PCs running Windows 10 Home as you’d like. However, you’ll need to buy a new product key each time. Even better, if you have an unactivated Home, you can use the same process to move up to Professional. Author: Anyron Copeman, Senior Staff WriterAs the resident expert on Windows, Senior Staff Writer Anyron’s main focus is PCs and laptops. Much of the rest of his time is split between smartphones, tablets and audio, with a particular focus on Android devices. Depending on the type of Windows 10 license you have installed, you might be able to transfer it to a new computer, if needed. Here’s how to do it. Depending on the type of Windows 10 license you have installed, you might be able to transfer it to a new computer if needed. Over the years, Microsoft has distributed its desktop operating system through different market channels. New computers will often come preinstalled with an OEM license. There are many other channels Microsoft distributes Windows in, these include Retail, Volume License, Academic, and subgroups such as Upgrade licenses. In 2015, Microsoft launched its latest version, Windows 10, offering the operating system to qualifying PCs and devices running Windows 7 or Windows 8 for free, for a limited time. Microsoft continues to provide Windows 10 as a full retail product for computers without a qualifying license or for people who build PCs. Determine If Your Windows 10 License Can Be TransferredFind out what type of license you have installedMicrosoft describes the Windows 10 free upgrade as a full version, not a trial. Contrary to these statements, Windows 10 free upgrade does have some restrictions.
Releases or “Versions” MatterWe discussed these nuances in our Windows 10 editions article; with the release of Windows 10 November Update, 1511, Microsoft made modifications to the channel license. Previously, you could identify the channel from which, the license was derived by issuing a particular Windows command. The November Update now describes all licenses upgraded, whether full package or OEM, as retail. Even though your free upgrade to Windows 10 from an OEM Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 is now identified as retail, in spirit, it is still an OEM license. This affects the rights to what you can do with the license. If it’s retail, you can continue to make hardware modifications to your system, such as changing the motherboard or moving it to a different computer. For an OEM version, if you change the motherboard, automatically, your free upgrade will be invalidated, meaning, you will have to purchase a new full retail Windows 10 license. With the release of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, Microsoft has made further improvements to transferring your license using the Digital License feature. This is one option users should look into first when transferring a license, check out our article for details about how it works. Remove the License, then Transfer it to Another ComputerTo move a full Windows 10 license or the free upgrade from a retail version of Windows 7 or 8.1, the license can no longer be in active use on a PC. Windows 10 does not have a deactivation option. Instead, you have two choices:
Uninstall Product KeyPress Windows key + X then click Command Prompt (Admin). At the command prompt, enter the following command: slmgr.vbs /upk. This command uninstalls the product key, which frees the license for use elsewhere. You are now free to transfer your license to another computer. Since the release of the November Update, Microsoft has made it more convenient to activate Windows 10, using just your Windows 8 or Windows 7 product key. When prompted during setup for a product key, click I don’t have a product key. If you have a full version Windows 10 license bought at a store, you can enter the product key. Select the Edition You’re Licensed ForThe Windows 7 Starter version, Home Basic, Home Premium, Windows 8.1 Core: Windows 10 Home Or, Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, Windows 8.1 Pro: Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 setup will prompt you again for a product key during the Out of Box Experience, click Do this later if you are using a Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 product key. If you have a full version Windows 10 license bought at a store, you can enter the product key.
How to Reactivate the LicenseOnce you arrive at the desktop, you will need to re-enter your product key. You can do this a couple of different ways. Let’s try the easiest method first. Click Start > Settings > Update & security > Activation > Change the product key. Enter your Windows 7 or Windows 8.0/8.1 product key, then click Next to activate. The other option is to enter the key from the command prompt. Press Windows key + X then click Command Prompt (Admin). Use this option only if you are experiencing difficulty doing so from within Settings. At the command prompt, enter the following command: slmgr.vbs /ipk xxxxx- xxxxx- xxxxx- xxxxx- xxxxx. Hit Enter on your keyboard; you will receive a confirmation the product key was updated. Close the command prompt then proceed to reactivate by telephone or Contact Support. Contact Support if NeededBecause the Windows 10 license was previously in use on another computer, you will need to reactivate by telephone or use Contact Support. Press Windows key + R then type: slui.exe 4 then hit Enter on your keyboard. Note: If the slui.exe 4 command does not work, type slui instead, then hit Enter. The activation wizard will launch. Choose your country and click Next. Call the number on the Activation screen or launch Contact Support, then explain your situation to the Microsoft Answer Tech; provide the Installation ID on the screen. The agent will verify your product key, then provide a confirmation ID for reactivating Windows 10. Review our article for complete instructions on how to get your license reactivated. If you purchased a Windows 10 Pro Pack, you will need to sign in to your Microsoft account in order to reactivate using Digital License. A very exhausting procedure, I know, but it works smoothly, especially with the new chat support option in Windows 10. 121 Comments 121 Comments
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