Windows 10 Pro comes with many important features that the Home version does nWin 10ot have. If your desktop or laptop shipped with Windows 10 Home and you want to upgrade to the Pro version, here I will show you how to upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro.
If you installed Home manually on your PC instead of it being provided by a manufacturer, you have the added bonus of being able to transfer your Home license on another PC and installing the pro license in its lieu.
How To Upgrade From Windows 10 Home To Pro?
You can install Windows 10 Pro via the Windows online Store. If you haven’t paid for any retail version of a Windows, it is the best place to buy and get your genuine version of Windows 10 Pro.
Follow these steps to perform an upgrade:
1. Update your system to the latest version of Windows 10 Home. Make sure your PC is up to date and there are no pending updates.
2. Go to Settings. Click on Update and Security.
3. From the left pane, select Activation.
4. From the right pane, select Go to the Store.
This will take you to the Microsoft Store. Here you can purchase your Pro version of Microsoft Windows 10.
5. Log-in with your Microsoft account if not already done, and select your payment method.
6. Windows will start your upgrade.
How To Upgrade Via Digital License/ Product Key?
If you bought a full copy of Windows 10 Pro from a cheaper source than what the Microsoft’s pricing is, you will need to upgrade using the license key, which will replace your current license. Here is how to upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro using a digital license:
- Update your system with the latest version of Windows 10 Home from the Windows Update & Security under Settings.
- Go to Settings. Click on Update and Security.
- From the left pane, select Activation.
- From the right pane, select Change product key.
- Enter the 25-digit Windows 10 Pro license key.
- Select Next. Windows will verify your Product Key and upgrade will start.
Tip: Make sure to be connected to the internet while upgrading so that Microsoft can register your Pro upgrade.
Transfer Your Windows 10 Pro Upgrade
If you want to transfer your Windows 10 Pro upgrade, you can do so by downgrading your current system and transferring your upgrade to another PC your own. Here are the steps to do so;
1. Look for the original Windows 10 Home license key that your device was shipped with. You can probably find it on the bottom case of your laptop or the top or side of your desktop cover.
2. In the Change product key section mentioned above, enter this Windows 10 Home product key.
This will downgrade your PC from Windows 10 Pro to home. Your Upgrade license should now be free to install on another PC that you want to transfer it to.
3. Install the Windows 10 Pro license on the other PC using the steps given above.
Note: You must be connected to the Internet for Microsoft to register the downgrade.
Pricing Regime:
During the purchase of your system, if you buy a home license, it will cost you $119 (~Rs 8250) and a pro license will cost you $199 (~Rs 13700). The upgrade from home to pro version costs an additional $99 (~Rs 6800). So, the upgrade is costlier in the long run.
If you think you might use your PC in a business environment someday in the future, you may buy the pro license during the purchase of your product itself.
Conclusion
If you have decided that you need the additional business features and security updates provided by Windows 10 Pro, now you know how you can upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro. Comment below if you recently upgraded to Windows 10 Pro and want to discuss further.