Cannot upgrade Windows10 from Home to Pro

Yuri Vinokurov 41 Reputation points
2021-05-07T15:01:05.813+00:00

I've purchased the Windows 10 Pro key and tried to Change the key on my Windows Home Single Language. However, it told that this key or digital license is not valid.

I've tried to overcome this by entering the Generic Windows 10 key to change it to my own later and upgrade starts, but fails with attached error message
94808-upgradeissue.jpg

If I Click Troubleshoot

As you can see, there's no troubleshoot button and system says that my key can't be used on this copy of Windows whatever it means.

The current Windows version is pre-installed by laptop manufacturer.

Attempt to reinstall Windows failed with the similar error message

Windows 10 Setup
Windows 10 Setup
Windows 10: A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.Setup: The procedures involved in preparing a software program or application to operate within a computer or mobile device.
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Accepted answer
  1. Teemo Tang 11,326 Reputation points
    2021-05-10T06:10:17.427+00:00

    Hi,
    Windows Home Single Language edition is different with Windows Home edition, which cannot upgrade to Windows 10 Pro edition directly via change generic Pro product key.
    You need to clean install Windows 10 Pro edition then use your valid product key to activate system.
    Or clean install Windows 10 Home edition(not Home Single Language), upgrade by Pro generic product key, next, activate by valid Pro license.
    Please note: backup your important personal data before clean install. Download Windows 10 ISO file from here:
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

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    1 person found this answer helpful.

3 additional answers

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  1. Kapil Arya 7,576 Reputation points MVP
    2021-05-08T08:02:22.483+00:00

    Hello,

    Not sure which generic key you've already tried. I suggest you to try upgrading using generic product key mentioned in this step-by-step guide:

    https://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-upgrade-windows-10-home-to-pro

    Once upgraded, you can activate Pro edition using your own genuine product key.

    Hope this helps!

    Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog post by a trusted Microsoft MVP.


  2. S.Sengupta 14,346 Reputation points MVP
    2021-05-08T13:20:19.917+00:00

    Kindly go through the following Microsoft reference:

    Get help with Windows activation errors

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  3. chandra kumar 1 Reputation point
    2021-11-10T05:06:46.477+00:00

    I had, same issue the key i bought cannot be activated. The solution that works for me is, i do "windows update", with so many restart. After windows shows "You're up to date". Try goto change product key, the key will be activated.

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