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How do I update and activate Windows 11 Pro on a Windows 11 Home?

Anonymous
2024-05-09T20:23:14+00:00

My old computer has a digital Windows 11 Pro license installed.

I've recently acquired a new computer which came with Windows 10 Home already installed, which was then updated to Windows 11 Home.

When I try to use my old key to activate it, it says the current OS is not compatible (Because it is home).

How do I update to Windows 11 Pro so that I can activate it with my old license?

I know it is transferable and not OEM because I've transferred this license from an even older computer in the past.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation

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  1. EmilyS726 227.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-05-09T20:54:49+00:00

    Hello, this is Emily.

    You can go to Settings > System > Activation > Change product key

    Disconnect internet, and disable any third party antivirus, key in the generic key instead: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

    That should get you to Pro. Once restarted, you can connect back to the internet, sign into your Microsoft account. Then go to Settings > System > Activation, click on troubleshoot, and choose the hardware change option to transfer the license.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-05-09T21:36:22+00:00

    Hi Emily!

    Some quick updates.

    I went into the settings to change the language to english so that you could understand some screenshots I was going to show you.

    I changed the language to english and the region to Brazil (For some reason, it was flipped: language was Portuguese but region was US)

    That took another restart.

    After restarting, I could now attempt to activate this version with my old key. But got some unexplained error.

    Then I noticed there were some updates pending. I made sure everything was up to date, and restarted.

    When I restarted this final time and went to try activation with the old key again, I found out it was already activated.

    I dont know which of these steps did it - probably simply restarting and updating - but Ive managed to have it activated now :)

    Thank you very much for the swift support.

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  2. EmilyS726 227.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-05-09T21:14:05+00:00

    Region shouldn't matter.

    Do you still have access to the old computer? If so, can you do this on the old computer, and then share a picture:

    Can you please type cmd in the search on the taskbar and hit enter to launch command prompt, then run the following command:

    slmgr /dlv

    Then share a screenshot please. Thanks!

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-05-09T21:12:35+00:00

    Hi Emily!

    Thank you very much. I have been able to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro with that key.

    However, it still says that the installed Windows Edition doesn't coincide with the ones I have a key for on another computer. But the old computer shows on that list.

    Could there be differences related to region and the generic key, or something like that? I should mention that I am based in Brazil.

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