clean install from .iso installs HOME - here's fix (inc PRO for Wrkstn

jimbo45 said:

If you install the insider version from the .iso with clean install you don't by default get choice of Windows edition to install -- it installs HOME by default...

That may not be due to using the Insider iso, the same thing can happen when using the RTM iso. The reason is usually due to the machine being originally supplied with windows 8/8.1/10 Home preinstalled by the OEM. Machines made for W8 and above have their key embedded in the firmware and Setup uses this to determine the edition to install.

As you say, ei.cfg is a workaround. If you had upgraded the machine from Home to Pro at some time in the past it would have digital licences for both Home and Pro. If so the alternative is to let it install Home then upgrade to Pro by changing the key the generic Pro key.

I have had to do this as my laptop will clean install home & not pro:
Create a PID.txt file containing the following text:[PID]Value=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
The Xs get replaced with your Windows 10 Pro product key.
If your Windows 10 Pro activation is with a digital license, then insert the generic product key: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
Save the PID.txt file to the \Sources folder on your Windows 10 installation media (USB flash drive).
Windows 10 decides which version (Home or Pro) to install in the following order:
1. Finding a product key in the PID.txt file
2. Finding a product key in UEFI/BIOS
3. The user manually enters a product key when asked for one
4. No product key is found or entered - then the user is asked for Home or Pro

jimbo45 said:

Hi folks

If you install the insider version from the .iso with clean install you don't by default get choice of Windows edition to install -- it installs HOME by default.

If you use say RUFUS to create a bootable USB from the .iso add file ei.cfg to the sources folder

The ei.cfg file is simply a text file :

[EditionID]
Professional
[Channel]
Retail

Then on install you'll get choice of editions including Single language, Pro, Pro education, Pro for Workstations etc.

I'll try Pro for Workstations -- might not work as I was licensed for PRO but who knows -- re-install on decent laptop only takes around 20 mins

I'll post back if it works.

Cheers
jimbo

You only need two lines

[Channel]
Retail
@Bree is correct in his explanation as well.

jimbo45 said:

Hi there
The ei.cfg method is easier as you don't have to mess around with product keys etc -- if you have a digital licence W10 activates automatically .

I'm not sure whether the generic product key even works any more - Ms blacklisted those a while ago AFAIK.

Cheers
jimbo

Thanks Jimbo, may move to doing that if the PID way stops working.
Not too sure on MS cancelling the default keys, many sites are still recommending them to temporarily ‘activate’ Windows so you can enter the genuine key.

jimbo45 said:

I'm not sure whether the generic product key even works any more - Ms blacklisted those a while ago AFAIK.

No, not blacklisted. You have always been able to clean install with a generic key, and to upgrade Home to Pro by putting in the generic Pro key.

The one change MS made, starting with RS3, is that you now have to have an existing Digital Licence for the PC to run Pro in order to upgrade from Home using the generic Pro key.


Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

Bree said:

No, not blacklisted. You have always been able to clean install with a generic key, and to upgrade Home to Pro by putting in the generic Pro key.

The one change MS made, starting with RS3, is that you now have to have an existing Digital Licence for the PC to run Pro in order to upgrade from Home using the generic Pro key.


Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

I never really understood why MS made this change but (for reasons unknown) some have had difficulty in using a valid PRO key to upgrade from Home to PRO. A workaround is to (temporarily) clean install PRO as dual boot (e.g. in a vhd) and activate that with the PRO key creating a valid digital licence, then you can upgrade Home to Pro using the generic key.

cereberus said:

A workaround is to (temporarily) clean install PRO as dual boot (e.g. in a vhd) and activate that with the PRO key creating a valid digital licence, then you can upgrade Home to Pro using the generic key.

Or clean install Pro to get the digital licence, then restore a Macrium image of the Home system and upgrade that with the generic key.

I never really understood why MS made this change...

My guess... their telemetry was telling them everyone was upgrading to Pro and not bothering to buy a licence.