Had to install 10 pro on pc upgraded to home from 7. Can't activate.


  1. Posts : 2
    windows 10
       #1

    Had to install 10 pro on pc upgraded to home from 7. Can't activate.


    Hi,

    I'll try to make a long story short. A friend upgraded his HP desktop from Windows 7 to 10 during the free upgrade period. When it went bonkers he gave it to me and bought a new computer. The one he gave me went down hard and the only way I could make it work was to make a rescue drive with the system files on my computer (which has 10 pro). So the gift computer works fine but can't activate windows 10 because it's the wrong version (pro, not home). I've spent a lot of time with MS tech support people (all kinds of problems with that) but it depends on who I get as to what can be done. The latest tech says I have to have the Windows 10 home product key from the friend's computer or I'm out of luck. I only have the Windows 7 key for that system. Shouldn't MS have a record of my friend's upgrade to 10? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,895
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #2

    The free Upgrade was and is for like Versions, Home to Home or Pro to Pro. In my experience if a Pro key wasn't used it usually won't activate, may cost to get a legit Pro key. And it may require a clean install.

    Also involved is using the correct type, either 32-bit or 64-bit, changing from one to the other requires a clean install. You can put the 32-bit on 64-bit hardware but not the other way around. I have only 1 Notebook with 32-bit but only because it was used when given to me that way with a cracked screen, maybe I'll change some day, or more likely not as it is good as is.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #3

    Create a generic Windows 10 flash drive:
    Download Windows 10

    Boot the computer from it and do a clean install of Windows 10 Home.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 325
    Windows 10 Pro
       #4

    Create the Windows 10 flash drive as NavyLCDR suggested. Create a PID.txt file and use the generic Win 10 Home key. Place the PID.txt file in the Sources folder on the root of the flash drive. Windows will automatically install Home. Just do a google search on how to make the file. It’s very simple.

    Generic Windows 10 Home TX9XD-98N7V-6WMQ6-BX7FG-H8Q9
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #5

    TrustMe said:
    Create the Windows 10 flash drive as NavyLCDR suggested. Create a PID.txt file and use the generic Win 10 Home key. Place the PID.txt file in the Sources folder on the root of the flash drive. Windows will automatically install Home. Just do a google search on how to make the file. It’s very simple.

    Generic Windows 10 Home TX9XD-98N7V-6WMQ6-BX7FG-H8Q9
    That shouldn't be needed. It will speed things up a bit but its not needed. It will also lock that install media to installing Home only.
    If no OEM embedded BIOS key is detected you'll get a menu asking you to enter a key. You just click I don't have one and you'll get a menu to select the edition to be installed. All he has to do then is select Home. The PC should then activate with the Home Digital License it already has stored on the Microsoft Activation server.
    Adding a PID.txt file does have advantages though. My laptop has an OEM embedded key for Windows 8.0 Core. That means I get 10 Home with no choice. I have DL for Pro though so adding a Pro PID.txt lets me install Pro and override my OEM embedded key. No having to do a change product key to upgrade to Pro.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 430
    Windows 10 Pro
       #6

    I think you are speaking to the wrong folks at MS.
    [The latest tech says I have to have the Windows 10 home product key from the friend's computer or I'm out of luck]
    The machine came with Win 7 product code not Win 10. I would download Win 10 ISO and perform a clean install. Back up the any important files you wish to keep.
    The Win 10 ISO is good now for both Pro and Home versions. During the install process, it will detect the MOBO electronic license code that was registered with MS when the machine was first updated from Win 7 to Win 10. Once the license code is detected it will install the correct version of Windows, in your case that will be Win 10 Home.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #7

    Stitch194 said:
    I think you are speaking to the wrong folks at MS.
    [The latest tech says I have to have the Windows 10 home product key from the friend's computer or I'm out of luck]
    The machine came with Win 7 product code not Win 10. I would download Win 10 ISO and perform a clean install. Back up the any important files you wish to keep.
    The Win 10 ISO is good now for both Pro and Home versions. During the install process, it will detect the MOBO electronic license code that was registered with MS when the machine was first updated from Win 7 to Win 10. Once the license code is detected it will install the correct version of Windows, in your case that will be Win 10 Home.
    He will be prompted to enter a key. And if he doesn't enter one, he will have to select the edition, Home, Pro etc. It won't auto select based on the Digital License stored on the Microsoft Activation server. Not unless things have changed since my last clean installs.
    If the PC was previously activated with a Digital License for Home, and he installs Home, it will auto activate again with the Digital License stored on the activation server. No product code should be needed or have to be entered to activate Home with a pre existing Digital License.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Thanks for all the help. Microsoft tech support called me back and as a courtesy gave me a key so I can use Pro on that machine.
      My Computer


 

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