Windows 10 Setup does not let me choose edition despite having EI.cfg

WurstCase 76 Reputation points
2023-01-08T16:04:58.483+00:00

I tried to install Windows 10 Pro on a machine that had originally been shipped with Windows 8.1 Home. For that I created a bootable USB drive using the Media Creation Tool and created EI.cfg in the Sources directory containing the following: 

[EditionID]  
Professional  
[Channel]  
Retail  
[VL]  
0

Still, when booting into setup in UEFI mode it would neither install Windows 10 Pro nor would it let me choose an edition myself. What am I missing here?

I also tried some permutations of the contents of EI.cfg (leaving the Edition blank or ommitting VL, e.g.). Additionally I tried forcing it to Win 10 Pro using the respective generic Product Key in the file PID.txt. Nothing worked so far, unfortunately.

Windows 10 Setup
Windows 10 Setup
Windows 10: A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.Setup: The procedures involved in preparing a software program or application to operate within a computer or mobile device.
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  1. abbodi86 3,776 Reputation points
    2023-01-10T00:41:22.493+00:00
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  2. Limitless Technology 43,926 Reputation points
    2023-01-10T08:43:21.927+00:00

    Hello there,

    It is possible that the version of the Windows 10 installation media that you created does not support the edition that you are trying to install. The Media Creation Tool is designed to allow users to download and create installation media for the edition of Windows 10 that the device is licensed for. If you are trying to install a different edition, you may need to obtain installation media for that edition.

    Alternatively, you may be able to upgrade to the edition that you want by purchasing and activating a Windows 10 Pro upgrade license through the Microsoft Store. To do this, you will need to first install Windows 10 Home, and then use the Microsoft Store to purchase and activate the Windows 10 Pro upgrade.

    It is also possible that there may be a problem with the bootable USB drive that you created. You may want to try creating a new bootable USB drive and see if that resolves the issue.

    There are a few options that you can try to resolve the issue you are experiencing with installing Windows 10 Pro on your machine:

    1. Obtain installation media for the edition of Windows 10 that you want to install. You can do this by purchasing a retail copy of Windows 10 Pro or by downloading the installation media from Microsoft's website.
    2. Upgrade to Windows 10 Pro using the Microsoft Store. If you are able to install Windows 10 Home on your machine, you can purchase and activate a Windows 10 Pro upgrade through the Microsoft Store.
    3. Check the bootable USB drive for issues. It is possible that there may be a problem with the bootable USB drive that you created. You can try creating a new bootable USB drive and see if that resolves the issue.
    4. Check for hardware compatibility issues. Make sure that your machine is compatible with Windows 10 and that all of your hardware is properly configured.

    --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept it as an answer–

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