My maddening failure to move from Win 10 Home to Win 10 Pro

If you add a PID.txt file to the sources folder with the generic pro key, it will install Pro instead of Home. It overrides the auto OEM key detection. I've done it on my laptop that has an 8.0 Core OEM key in the BIOS. I've done this with the Media Creation tool install media and official MSDN ISO's. You may be able to just put your Pro OEM key in there. this is what I put in my PID.txt file
[PID]
Value=VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

I think there is an ei.cfg file that will override that too, so you actually get to choose Home Or Pro, I haven't tried that myself.

Microsoft not too long ago made a change to how you switch from one edition to another. In the past you could just enter the generic key and upgrade, then activate if required. Now I do believe it checks for a valid digital license before actually doing the edition upgrade, if you use the generic key. It wants a valid key that will activate to do the upgrade. OEM keys appear to throw a wrinkle into that.

Mystere said:

The problem is that you have windows 10 OEM. The OEM edition is intended to either be installed on a system that does not have a key embedded in the firmware, like your system has.. or to use the embedded key if present. since your key is present, and it’s a HOME key, it uses that.

if I were you, I would instead purchase a 10 pro upgrade, and sell your full install. You cannot upgrade from home to pro with an OEM full key

Nope, the install media is generic .. one can install whichever edition is included in the media purchased given the over-ride of the firmware product key as below...

alphanumeric said:

If you add a PID.txt file to the sources folder with the generic pro key, it will install Pro instead of Home. It overrides the auto OEM key detection. I've done it on my laptop that has an 8.0 Core OEM key in the BIOS. I've done this with the Media Creation tool install media and official MSDN ISO's. You may be able to just put your Pro OEM key in there. this is what I put in my PID.txt file
[PID]
Value=VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

I think there is an ei.cfg file that will override that too, so you actually get to choose Home Or Pro, I haven't tried that myself.

Yup.

The only difference (that I can see) between OEM install media and what Microsoft supplies is all the OEM branding and bundled pre-installed junk. Up until the last couple of build releases, my Microsoft MSDN ISO's read and used the 8.0 Core OEM key in my laptops BIOS. I got 10 Home whether I wanted it or not. I had to use a PID.txt file to bypass the auto detection. That has stopped happening for me, but others report it still happens for them? I have no idea why my OEM key is presently ignored. Fine by me though.

alphanumeric said:

The only difference (that I can see) between OEM install media and what Microsoft supplies is all the OEM branding and bundled pre-installed junk. Up until the last couple of build releases, my Microsoft MSDN ISO's read and used the 8.0 Core OEM key in my laptops BIOS. I got 10 Home whether I wanted it or not. I had to use a PID.txt file to bypass the auto detection. That has stopped happening for me, but others report it still happens for them? I have no idea why my OEM key is presently ignored. Fine by me though.

Yep, OEM's cannot change MS installation files...There was a COEM edition with Windows 7 but that was short-lived (I assume it was just for SLIC activation) but the basic installation remained true RTM.

@mattwarren

No need to purchase an upgrade or whatever - when you purchase Windows 10 you purchase a licence (provided by the product key) - the install media is provided freely (Media Creation tool) as alpha mentioned.