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how to downgrade Windows 11 pro to windows 11 home

Pankaj Biltoria 5 Reputation points
2025-08-22T16:27:12.76+00:00

Hello, my PC is running Windows 11 Pro, but my license is only for Windows 11 Home. Windows is not activating, and when I try to reinstall Windows, the installer automatically installs Pro instead of Home. Because of this, my Microsoft Office apps (like Word) are locked, and I get the message “You can’t make this change because the selection is locked.” I need help downgrading to Windows 11 Home with my existing license, keeping my files and apps if possible, and making sure both Windows and Office activate properly.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update
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  1. DaveM121 879.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-08-22T17:03:04.1366667+00:00

    The only working method to downgrade form the Pro to Home version of Windows is to create a bootable Windows USB and use that to clean install Windows, you cannot keep your files and apps, you will need to backup your files first.

    When you use the Media Creation Tool to create the bootable USB on an empty 8GB USB flash drive, ensure you do not select the option to 'Use recommended options for this PC'

    Then, then the USB is created, before the installation:

    Right click your Desktop, choose New - Text Document

    Paste the text below into that document

    [EditionID]

    Core

    [Channel]

    OEM

    Then choose File - Save Aa, at the bottom of the Save As dialog, change file type to 'All Files' then save that file as ei.cfg (note you must manually add the cfg file extension)

    Then copy that ei.cfg file into the Sources folder in your USB Installation drive.

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  2. Kapil Arya 37,781 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-08-22T17:25:19.7466667+00:00

    Create a System Restore point first.

    Open Registry Editor, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion.

    Change following entries:

    • CompositionEditionID set to Core
    • EditionID set to Core
    • ProductName set to Windows 10 Home

    Repeat above for this registry location as well: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion.

    Perform repair upgrade with Windows 11 ISO.

    You should be able to downgrade to Home edition.

    If you need further assistance, check steps here:

    https://www.kapilarya.com/downgrade-windows-11-pro-to-home

    Let us know if this helps!

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

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