Step 1: Confirm your license type
First, check that your Windows 10 Pro license is transferable (Retail, not OEM). On your old PC, open PowerShell or Command Prompt and run:
slmgr /dli
Look for the Description line:
- If it says Retail, it's transferable.
- If it says OEM, it's tied to the original hardware and cannot be transferred.
Step 2: Unlink or deactivate the license on the old PC
If your license is Retail:
- Sign out of your Microsoft account (optional, but helps).
- Deactivate the license:
slmgr /upk slmgr /cpky-
/upkuninstalls the product key. -
/cpkyclears it from the registry (prevents accidental reuse).
-
This effectively frees the key for activation elsewhere.
Step 3: Find your product key (if you don't already have it)
Still on the old PC, run:
wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey
or, if that doesn't return a key:
slmgr /xpr
If you bought Windows 10 Pro digitally via Microsoft Store, the key might be linked to your Microsoft Account instead — check underhttps://account.microsoft.com/devices
Step 4: On the new PC (Windows 11 Home)
Option 1 — If you have a product key
- Go to Settings → System → Activation → Change product key
- Enter your Windows 10 Pro key
- Windows 11 will automatically upgrade from Home → Pro, then activate online.
Option 2 — If your license is linked to your Microsoft Account
If your Pro license was linked to your Microsoft account (digital entitlement):
- Sign in to Windows 11 Home with the same Microsoft account used on the old PC.
- Go to Settings → System → Activation → Troubleshoot
- Choose I changed hardware on this device recently.
- Select your old PC from the list → This is the device I'm using right now.
- Windows will reassign the Pro license and automatically upgrade and activate.
Step 5: If Automatic Upgrade Fails
If the product key doesn't immediately upgrade:
- Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:
changepk.exe /productkey XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX - Reboot → the upgrade process should start.
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hth
Marcin