Question: I have a brand new PC (or older, just upgraded) running Windows 10 home. I am upgrading to Windows Pro. What shall I do?
Answer: Before you upgrade to Windows Pro for free, make sure your computer’s hardware and software support is up to date and run the latest version of the genuine Windows 10 Home.
Only genuine Windows 10 Home can be upgraded to Windows 10 pro, you need a valid product key for Windows 10 Pro for the device you’re upgrading. If you don’t have a product key, you can buy Windows 10 Pro from the software store: Key1024. You can choose your favorite version on this page and buy it!
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Microsoft has changed the activation rules with Windows 10
Microsoft’s new Windows 10 activation rules have changed significantly. The biggest change is that the product key is handled in the so-called “digital entitlements“.
If you upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 Free to Windows 10, you do not need a Windows 10 product key at all. Instead, the digital fingerprint of your hardware is stored on the Microsoft activation server, which allowing you to reinstall the latest version of Windows 10 on that hardware without requiring a product key.
Scenario 1: Upgrade using your digital license for Windows 10 Pro
With a digital license, you can upgrade from Windows 7/8.1 to Windows 10 Pro for free. Recently, I upgraded an SSD in my Dell Latitude 7480 laptop, which was originally used with a genuine copy of Windows 8.1 Standard and then upgraded to Windows 10 Pro.
After the upgrade is complete, I created a bootable USB Installer to do a clean reinstallation of Windows 10 Pro. The system prompts for a product key two times during the installation process. Both of these times I clicked “I don’t have a product key” option to skip the option to enter the key.
After the installation is complete, I loged in and checked the activation status (How to check Windows 10 activation status?). The system is properly activated because the Microsoft server recognizes the hardware and uses digital license.
This method relies on digital license for Windows 10 Pro. To find the different between Digital license and Product keys, visit this page: digital license vs product key!
Scenario 2: Upgrade using a Windows 10 Pro product key
If you have a Windows 10 Pro product key, you can select the “I have a Windows 10 Pro product key” and enter the product key to upgrade. To do so, You can purchase the upgrade for $99 through the Microsoft Store. (Is that the best way to do it?)
- Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & security > Activation.
- Select Change product key, and then enter the 25-character Windows 10 Pro product key.
- Select Next to start the upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.
Scenario 3: Clean Reinstall Windows 10 Pro with Product Key
After my research, I found that there is no upgrade path even in “Scenario 2”. It must be a clean install so copy all your files for reinstalling. So this mean “Scenario 3” is the easiest and most convenient way! All you need is a working Windows 10 pro key (32/64 bits), and then do a new installation will do. If you are a perfectionist, you can go to Microsoft official Store purchase a Windows 10 Pro with $199.99.
How to buy a cheap and effective Windows 10 key?
If you want to save money, just buying a cheap Windows 10 license with low cost to build your own PC instead of buying a PC that comes with Windows 10 Pro. Key1024.com will be the first choice you can try, which offering legit CD keys that are safe, reliable and affordable. Buy the way, if you won’t replace the hardware, such as a hard disk or motherboard. Buy a OEM Key will be much cheaper than the retail keys…