How to Upgrade From Windows 10 Home to Pro

If you need more power, here's how to upgrade

by
Aaron Peters
Aaron Peters
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Aaron Peters is a writer with Lifewire who has 20+ years experience in technology. His work appears in Linux Journal, MakeUseOf, and others.
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Aaron Peters
Updated on April 13, 2021
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Ryan Perian
Lifewire Tech Review Board Member
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
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Article reviewed on Feb 16, 2020
Ryan Perian

What to Know

  • Go to Start Menu > Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Go to the Store to purchase a Windows 10 Pro upgrade.
  • If you have a Windows 10 Pro product key, go to Start Menu > Settings > Updates and Security > Activation > Change product key.
  • To install Pro on another PC, re-enter the Windows 10 Home product key on current PC, then enter the Pro product key on new PC.

This article explains how to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro via the Windows Store or by entering your Pro product key. You can find out which version of Windows you have by checking your system settings.

How to Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro via the Windows Store

If you haven't paid anything for Pro yet, and no one has handed you a copy, the most straightforward way to upgrade is from the Windows Store. Here's how:

  1. First, make sure your PC doesn't have any pending updates.

    Screenshot of Updates Available in Windows 10

  2. Next, select the Start Menu > Settings.

    Windows 10 Start > Settings

  3. Select Update & Security.

    Windows 10 Update & Security

  4. Select Activation in the left vertical menu.

    Windows 10 Activation

  5. Select Go to the Store. This link leads you to the Windows Store.

    Activation > Go to the Store

  6. To purchase the upgrade, select Buy.

    Buy Windows 10 Pro button

  7. Log in with your Microsoft account, then enter your payment method. Windows will immediately upgrade.

Person browsing the Microsoft Store for WIndows 10 Pro Upgrade
Maddy Price / Lifewire

Upgrade From Windows 10 Home to Pro via a Product Key/Digital License

If you have a copy of Windows 10 Pro you should also have a product key (alternately called a license key) to enable Windows 10 Pro. You'll need this key to replace your Windows Home product key.

Here's how to replace your current product key:

  1. Make sure you have the latest Windows updates.

  2. Navigate to Start Menu > Settings > Updates and Security > Activation.

    Windows 10 Activation

  3. Under Activation, select Change product key. The Product Key window opens.

  4. Enter the 25-digit Windows Pro product key.

    Enter a product key

  5. Select Next. If your key is correct, the installation starts immediately, and you'll soon get a message that Windows is upgraded.

Transferring Windows 10 Pro Upgrade to Another Machine

Since you had a full Windows 10 operating system before the Pro upgrade, you can remove the Pro upgrade from its current machine and then transfer it to another machine.

Complete this process online so that Microsoft can register that you removed the Pro upgrade.

To re-install your original Windows license, which will make the Pro upgrade available to install on another machine: 

  1. Look at the bottom of your Windows laptop, or on the top/side of a desktop tower. There might be a sticker showing your original Windows product key; alternatively, it might be in the manuals or other material that came in your PC's box.

  2. Go to Start Menu > Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Change Product Key.

    Windows 10 activation settings with the 'Change Product Key' option highlighted

  3. Enter the product key in the Change product key field to "downgrade" to your old Home license.

    Screenshot of Product Key window

  4. Your upgrade license is now freed up and can be installed on another machine.

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