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can you upgrade to Windows 10 Pro without paying for the licence through Microsoft Store

Anonymous
2024-08-31T18:06:47+00:00

There seems to be a lot of confusion here.

I kept hearing that upgrading to pro version was free. After a lot of issues, I finally managed to upgrade.

I even had to use the telephone system and then speak to the actual support PERSON.

But when I finally managed it, I realized that I couldn't activate it. They give you a key to upgrade. But then they ask you for $145 for another key to activate it.

This must be against the customer protection law. Most people will feel that they have to by then because the upgrade doesn't have all the features of an activated upgrade. So, however you look at it the person has been misled. There would be class action if this were true.

So, can someone explain to me what is going on? Microsoft couldn't be acting against the law. I have won far more difficult cases than this. Besides, with Windows 11, this is an old OS whose support is to end in a year.

No one would ask for $145.00 for an upgrade. So, what is going on?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Install and upgrade

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  1. MartMcd 2,560 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-09-05T15:37:28+00:00

    ......

    Now finally?

    What happened to Home and Pro Having the same code base?

    They do share the same code base. that does not mean they are identical or that pro does not have additional features and costs more.it has no bearing on the fact that Windows pro is more expensive than Home or that you have to pay to upgrade from Home to Pro

    Why put DNS client service on Automatic when it isn't doing anything?

    As I said, think of Home as having features not required by home users either removed or disabled in order to make it available at a lower cost.

    I consider these rational questions. they have been answered many times in this thread

    Why an Operating system that is due to have its support stopped next year cost $145.00, when upgrade from 7 to 11 is free?
    you cannot upgrade from 7 to 11. Microsoft have been generous in allowing users to upgrade to the latest version for free, however as with any free offer there are terms that one must follow.

    Why allow people to upgrade and not be able to activate?
    there are a number of possibilities for this, incompatible hardware, invalid license, not following correct upgrade path.you cannot upgrade from Home to pro for free

    Why all this extra time when DNS client service can't populate files?
    As I said, think of Home as having features not required by home users either removed or disabled in order to make it available at a lower cost. To have or use those features you have to pay to upgrade to Pro.

    Not having an answer to any of these finally convinced me to opt for Linux.
    As I said I had to put up with Windows when I was working. After this, why should I not return to Linux?
    This is a public peer to peer forum, we are not Microsoft employees or have anything to gain by trying to convince you either way. the choice of operating system is yours to make.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-09-02T09:07:47+00:00

    Because I needed to install a routing table, and I thought that inbuilt administrator would have more rights in Pro version.

    Buat that is not the point. Besides if they are not different or as some other clever guy pointed out that they have the same code base why does Microsoft wants to charge extra $145.00 extra for it.

    Are you going to repeat the same clever reminder that the code base is the same to show off?

    That is not the point.

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  3. Neil D 32,745 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-08-31T18:56:10+00:00

    Windows 10 Pro cannot be activated using a Windows 10 Home licence. Therefore to upgrade and then activate you need to buy a new licence.

    If you are referring to a generic Pro key that can be used to upgrade then that is purely a method to initiate the upgrade. You will still need to buy a licence to activate Pro edition.

    The cheapest way of buying a licence to go from Home to Pro edition is to use the windows Store via Settings > Update and security > Activation > Go to Store. This purchase is for an upgrade licence and not a full stand alone Pro licence.

    This method currently offers a Windows 10/11 licence.

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  4. EmilyS726 225.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-08-31T18:56:28+00:00

    Hello, this is Emily.

    Upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 is free, but that's Windows 10 home to 11 home, or Windows 10 pro to 11 pro.

    If you have Windows 11 Home already, and you want to upgrade to 11 Pro, that's NOT free. You have to pay for the upgrade license (not the full license, but the upgrade license).

    One can always use the Generic Pro key to install the Pro version from an already activated Home version, But the generic key is strictly for installation purpose, not for activation purpose. You still need the upgrade license to upgrade to Pro.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-08-31T18:28:55+00:00

    Read the EULA that comes with the update for Windows 10 Pro. Where did you buy the key for updating to Windows 10 Pro? If the key you were given doesn't work, maybe someone here can give you one that does.

    This image is an example of when I purchased an update a few years back. I purchased mine through the Microsoft Store.

    Image

    Microsoft Lifecycle Policy | Microsoft Learn

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