How to fix this problem to have access to update from Windows 10 HOME to Windows 11 pro

Question

I can't accept the key because I'm getting an "Access Denied" message in Command Prompt, and when I try to activate the command in the settings, it shows me error code 0xc004f050. When I go to the next step and try to update the program, I get another "Access Denied" message. [Moved from: System Center Operations Manager]

Answer 1

Hello Fidel Reyes,

Thanks for joining the Q&A Forum.

Based on what you described, you’re seeing an “Access Denied” message in Command Prompt and error code 0xC004F050 when trying to activate Windows in Settings.

The “Access Denied” message could appear when a command requires administrator privileges, and error code above indicates that the key is invalid. Here are a few suggestions you can try:

If starting from Windows 10 Home, you need to upgrade to Windows 11 Home first. After that, you switch to Windows 11 Pro with a generic key and activate it with a product key.

To be more specific, please try the following steps:

1. Install Windows 11 Home

See guidance at: Ways to install Windows 11

2. Switch from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro using generic key

• Disconnect your device from the internet.
• Right-click Start > Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Run as Administrator)
• Run slmgr /ipk VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T to upgrade to Pro.
• Restart PC.

Tip: Make sure you use the correct generic key for your Windows edition:

Windows 11 Pro: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

Windows 11 Pro N: 2B87N-8KFHP-DKV6R-Y2C8J-PKCKT

Windows 11 Pro for Workstations: DXG7C-N36C4-C4HTG-X4T3X-2YV77

Windows 11 Pro N for Workstations: WYPNQ-8C467-V2W6J-TX4WX-WT2RQ

3. Activate Windows 11 Pro

After reboot, go to Settings > System > Activation > Change product key, and enter your purchased Pro key to activate (internet required for final validation).

If you're doing the right steps but the issue still persists, could you please let me know:

• Where was the Pro key purchased - directly from Microsoft’s store or from a third‑party seller?

I look forward to your response and I'm here if you need further help!

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Answer 2

To resolve the "Access Denied" issue and the error code 0xc004f050 when trying to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Pro, you can follow these steps:

1. Run Command Prompt as Administrator: Ensure that you are using an elevated Command Prompt. To do this, right-click on the Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator". This may help in resolving the access denied issue.
2. Check for Prerequisites: The error code 0xc004f050 indicates that the Software Licensing Service reports that the product key is invalid. This can occur if the necessary licensing updates are not installed. Make sure that you have installed all the required updates for your version of Windows before attempting the upgrade.
3. Restart Your Computer: After installing any updates, restart your computer to ensure that all changes take effect.
4. Verify Product Key: Ensure that the product key you are trying to use is correct for your version of Windows and that it is valid for upgrading from Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Pro.
5. Check User Permissions: If you are on a domain-joined computer, verify that your user account has the necessary permissions to perform the activation. You may need to check with your system administrator if you are unsure.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.

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References:

• Troubleshoot issues in ESU
• Error: 0xC004F050 The Software Licensing Service reports that the product key is invalid