Reformatting upgraded Windows 10 Pro


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    Reformatting upgraded Windows 10 Pro


    If I were to reformat a Windows 10 Pro, which is upgraded from a Windows 10 Home (provided by manufacturer) through Windows Store, will it return back to Windows 10 Home? Or will it stay on Windows 10 Pro?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    If you mean doing a clean install of Windows 10, it will by default install the version of the product key it finds in Bios, which is Home. To override that put the Windows 10 Pro generic product key in a PID.txt file and save that to the sources folder on a Windows 10 installation USB:

    pid.txt:

    [PID]
    Value=VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

    or if you end up with Windows 10 Home installed, all you have to do is change the product key (on the activation screen) to the Windows 10 Pro generic product key above.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    So if I were to reformat a Windows 10 Pro, which I upgraded from Home version (manufacturer) previously, it will return back to Windows 10 Home, and I have to key in the product key for Pro again on the activation screen for it to return to Pro?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,778
    Windows 10 Pro,
       #4

    No actually. I just did this myself a couple of days ago. This computer was Windows 10 home for over a year but just two weeks ago I upgraded to Windows 10 Pro. Well on Monday of this week I decided to reformat the hard drive so I downloaded the latest ISO using Microsoft's Media Creation tool and I did a clean install and formatted the hard drive.

    I now have a fully activated Windows 10 Pro on my computer. The information is stored in your BIOS so you are good to go.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    Windows does not store anything in Bios. Only the computer manufacturer can store a product key in bios and Windows will not change what the manufacturer has stored there.

    If you had to skip entering a product key and then pick if you wanted Home or Pro that is because Windows did not find any Product Key in bios.
    Last edited by NavyLCDR; 18 May 2016 at 10:10.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #6

    Windows does not modify the BIOS. "IF" there is an OEM embedded key, it will be used automatically. If there isn't an OEM embedded key, you will be asked to enter a key and chose what version to install. You can just do a skip when asked to enter a key. If you don't enter a key, once its installed it will check the activation server for a Digital Entitlement. If one exists for that PC it will activate with it. If not, you will have to enter a valid key to activate.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #7

    kunkun, go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation > It will tell you there, if it is using a Digital Entitlement or activated with a Product code.
    Showkey will tell you if the PC has an embedded key, and what version of Windows the key is for. https://www.tenforums.com/software-ap...7-showkey.html
      My Computer


 

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