Windows Clean Reinstall: Windows Pro changed to Home

After finally getting my drives to work (as whined about in a prior thread and I will update there), I did a clean install of Windows 10. I skipped the key part, because every where I looked, it was stated that the installation would activate the prior version.

However, I had a valid Windows 8.1 Pro, which I upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, using the free download. My drive, over the year, got buggy (especially with one who knows nothing and another who does enough to get into trouble). So, I bought a new drive, and started the install, moving the user folders to the old, completely wiped clean, drive, using the technique used here.

I have finally been cruising along, adding my users, system restore states, barebones system restore, all the things you're supposed to do. I did EVERYTHING to the T. I skipped the license key, because everyone here says the key is already restored.

My PRO version is now HOME! What? How do I fix this? I am in a flummoxed condition, because NONE of my machines have EVER been Home, ever.

Do I have to start over, install the original 8.1 with the valid key and then reinstall Windows 10, undoing everything I've managed to get done over the past two days? I'm really, really ready to cry. I do have much better things to do!

Any help would be EXTREMELY appreciated!

Tere

Madeupagin said:

I did a clean install of Windows 10. I skipped the key part, because every where I looked, it was stated that the installation would activate the prior version.

However, I had a valid Windows 8.1 Pro, which I upgraded to Windows 10 Pro...

I bought a new drive, and started the install... My PRO version is now HOME! What? How do I fix this?

Do I have to start over, install the original 8.1 with the valid key and then reinstall Windows 10, undoing everything I've managed to get done over the past two days?

Your valid Windows 8.1 Pro, was that a retail version that you purchased? I suspect the PC was originally supplied with 8.1 Home with a key for that embedded in its hardware. If so, that would have been picked up by Setup when choosing which version of 10 to install.

The good news is that (assuming its a full retail key and not an OEM one) your 8.1 Pro key should be accepted to upgrade your installed Home to Pro without the need to reinstall. Try 'Change product key' in Settings > Update & security > Activation.

or change product key and enter:
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

It is the generic Windows 10 Pro product key that will activate if you had a digital license for Windows 10 Pro previously activated on that computer.

Madeupagin said:

Before I mark this solved, however, will I have to do this every time if I do a clean install again, or is it SET now?

Tere

Read @Superfly's post below mine.

alphanumeric said:

Windows 7 as original OS means no embedded key. And the OP posted they did a skip key. Shouldn't there have been a menu to select Home or Pro after that?

Yep. I was wondering that too. Unless the OP is installing Home Single Language edition or using an original build 10240 copy of Windows to install.

The order of operations for ver 1511 and ver 1607 Windows setup is:

1. PID.txt file. If it finds a product key in a PID.txt file it will use that to determine which version, Home or Pro to install, will not ask the user to enter either a product key or choose which version to install.

2. If no PID.txt file, then Windows setup will look for a product key stored in BIOS/UEFI. It will use that to determine which version, Home or Pro to install, will not ask the user to enter either a product key or choose which version to install.

3. No product key available in PID.TXT file or BIOS/UEFI, then Windows setup will ask the user to enter a product key. If the user enters a product key, it will use that to determine which version, Home or Pro to install and will not ask the user which version to install.

4. User skips entering the product key when asked, Windows setup will then ask which version to install, Home or Pro.