I want to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro

Question

I want to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro but the Microsoft Store keeps crashing"

Answer 1

Microsoft Store keeps crashing"

Try to re-register Store app using following command:

Get-AppXPackage WindowsStore -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Answer 2

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. If it doesn't work you will need to do a repair install first. I’m doing to just share it in case you need it.

To perform a repair installation of Windows 11 using the Windows Media Creation Tool: The following steps should be done on a working Windows computer:Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's official website. https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 click on the "download now" button under "Create Windows 11 Installation Media"Run the tool and select "Create installation media for another PC."Choose "USB flash drive" as the media to use for the installation and select "Next."Connect a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of free space to your computer.Select the USB flash drive you want to use, and then select "Next."The tool will then download the required files and create the installation media.=====================================================Now these steps will  be done on your problematic computer:Go to the USB drive via File Explorer, locate and run the Setup.exe file. Ideally, you should disconnect all USB and Bluetooth devices other than mouse and keyboard. Disable any 3rd party antivirus program. Disconnect the internet. Once you run the Setup.exe file, choose the Install option, and the choose the option that keeps your files and apps.

Answer 3

Use the built-in upgrade options instead of relying only on the Microsoft Store app UI.

1. Confirm Windows 11 Home is activated:
   • Select Start > Settings > System > Activation (or use this shortcut: Open System > Activation).
   • Check that Activation state shows that Windows is activated. If not, activate Windows 11 Home first.
2. Upgrade via System settings (bypasses opening Store manually):
   • In Settings > System > Activation, expand Upgrade your edition of Windows.
   • Select Open Store from there and follow the prompts to purchase/upgrade to Windows 11 Pro. This uses the Store backend but launches from Settings, which can work even if opening the Store directly is unreliable.
3. If a Windows 11 Pro product key is already available:
   • Go to Settings > System > Activation.
   • Next to Change product key, select Change.
   • Enter the 25-character Windows 11 Pro product key and select Next to start the upgrade. This path does not require the Microsoft Store.
4. If there is a digital license for Windows 11 Pro on this device:
   • Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot (Open Troubleshoot settings).
   • Run the Windows Activation troubleshooter.
   • If it detects a Windows 11 Pro digital license while Windows 11 Home is installed, choose Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro and then Start upgrade.

If the Store continues to crash when launched from Settings and there is no Pro key or Pro digital license, the remaining option is to stabilize or repair the Store first, then use it to purchase the Pro upgrade as described in the references.

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References:

• Upgrade Windows Home to Windows Pro
• Which edition of Windows comes with your Surface device?
• Using the Windows Activation troubleshooter
• Upgrade Windows devices to Windows 10 or 11 Pro