Hi all -
I'm attempting to upgrade a Dell W10 Home, x64 Laptop to W10 Pro, x64.
Using a couple of what I was told were legit keys, I receive this error after W10 accepts the key...
Activation software problem?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks,
EN
I would make an image and then use the generic Win 10 pro key and after the upgrade succeeds then try to activate with your key.
The upgrade will not succeed. Starting with version 1709 (aka RS3) you can only use a generic key to upgrade Home to Pro if the PC has an existing digital license for Pro.
Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro | Windows 10 Tutorials
Download showkeyplus from MS Store and check you PRO keys.
Nine times out of 10, the root cause is the keys do not match editions e.g. Home and PRO N or vice versa, or one key is a dodgy volume licence key etc.
The way round this is to clean install PRO as dual boot (in a vhd is a good way) to establish the digital licence, then you can upgrade with the generic key but the PRO key has to match the Home edition e.g. both normal or both N versions.The upgrade will not succeed. Starting with version 1709 (aka RS3) you can only use a generic key to upgrade Home to Pro if the PC has an existing digital license for Pro.
Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro | Windows 10 Tutorials
Hi there!
@Bree -
I'm just looking for a way to give pro a go on this laptop using the activation key method.
Used generic pro keys to test the upgrade:
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T - Retail
W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX - KMS
I am trying these with the Dell OEM version of W10 Home, x64.
However, even these two keys do not work - same message (above) appears.
Can it not work using the W10 "Update Product Key" method?
Thoughts, anyone? Am I missing a key concept? (No pun intended!)
Microsoft's scheme of licensing and activation aren't my area of expertise, lol.
Thanks for all the replies.
Last edited by Compumind; 01 Oct 2018 at 18:54.
There is no trial period for Windows 10. Per the EULA that you agreed to when using Home:Hi there!
@Bree -
I'm just looking for a way to give pro a go on this laptop using the activation key method.
Used generic pro keys to test the upgrade:
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T - Retail
W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX - KMS
I am trying these with the Dell OEM version of W10 Home, x64.
However, even these two keys do not work - same message (above) appears.
Can it not work using the W10 "Update Product Key" method?
Thoughts, anyone? Am I missing a key concept? (No pun intended!)
Microsoft's scheme of licensing and activation aren't my area of expertise, lol.
Thanks for all the replies.
5. Authorized Software and Activation. You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method. When you connect to the Internet while using the software, the software will automatically contact Microsoft or its affiliate to conduct activation to associate it with a certain device. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone.
The keys are there because 1. It is the product key you end up with when you gain a digital license for Windows 10 Pro through legitimate means and 2. When you do a clean install of Windows 10 (without adding an ei.cfg file), on a computer with a product key for Windows 10 Home stored in UEFI, you can use the generic product key to upgrade the Windows 10 Home that installs by default to Windows 10 Pro - but only if you have an existing digital license for that computer for Windows 10 Pro previously stored on Microsoft Activation Servers.
The reason the generic Windows10 Pro product key will not upgrade your Windows 10 Home to Pro is because you do not have a preexisting digital license for Pro for that computer stored on Microsoft activation servers.
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