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Free upgrade from Windows 11 Home to 11 Pro using 10 Pro retail license

Anonymous
2022-11-27T00:48:38+00:00

My current computer has an activated Windows 10 Pro retail license. I'm planning to replace my current computer by buying a new computer that comes preinstalled with Windows 11 Home, and then I understand I can use my 10 Pro license to upgrade to 11 Pro for free.

What's the most straightforward way of accomplishing this? The obvious approach that comes to mind involves two steps:

  1. Reinstall Windows 10 Pro on new computer and activate with my existing retail license.
  2. Upgrade new computer to 11 Pro for free through the settings.

Is there a simpler way of doing this without having to reinstall Windows 10? For example, would it be possible to somehow "trade in" my Windows 10 Pro license for 11 Pro? I'm fairly new to Windows licensing and am just trying to understand what is possible/best practice, with minimal effort.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-11-27T01:27:06+00:00

    Hello, how are you?

    My name is Paloma B., I am very happy to be able to try to help you in the best possible way.

    You shouldn't need to change your license, just the new computer's Windows installation needs to be compatible with the key, in this case Windows 11 Pro.

    First on the previous computer, unlink the Windows license by running the commands below in PowerShell or Command Prompt:

    slmgr.vbs /upk

    slmgr.vbs /cpky

    After that on the new computer, press Windows+I to access the settings and navigate to Update & security > Activation.

    Click on the Change product key button and enter your Windows 10 Pro key.

    This must be identified so with your key, Windows will be upgraded to Windows 11 Pro.

    If you don't recognize the key, first try to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro using the generic upgrade key below.

    VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

    After finishing the upgrade to Windows 11 Pro, try to change and use your Windows 10 Pro key which also serves to activate Windows 11 Pro.

    40+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2023-01-09T12:08:37+00:00

    VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

    7 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-20T17:35:02+00:00

    Upgrade of Windows 11 home to Windows 11 Pro

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2023-08-10T05:21:03+00:00

    Hi Paloma,

    I am having an issue with this process. It didn't accept my license key or the generic upgrade key. Has that key changed? Or is the process different now. Is ther anyone I can call to resolve?

    Thanks,

    Dave

    647.388.8738

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2022-11-27T02:33:45+00:00

    Thanks -- I'll have to try that and see how it goes. I didn't realize I could use my Windows 10 Pro key to activate Windows 11 Pro. It sounds simpler than I thought.

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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