How do i change my windows 10 pro to windows 10 home and still keep my files?

[zeek77]

Even if were to kept in a windows.old file

I really could use some help on this.

It wont let me upgrade and keep my stuff and the other option says it will delete my stuff with no mention of an windowa.old file

Im using the media creation tool via usb


Please and thanks

 

[psoohoo]

Why would you want to since Pro is a higher version.

Microsoft allows to you can change the product key to go from home to pro
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12384/windows-10-upgrading-home-to-pro

not sure if Microsoft allows it to go the other way since you will lose functionality.

 

[orlbuckeye]

Pro has everything that Home has plus more. Plus Home is cheaper than Pro.

 

[Snipergod87]

I don't think you can go from a more featured version to a less featured version (at least you couldn't do that with Vista, 7 and 8)

 

[zeek77]

i need to do it since i lost my digital licence for the pro version since i changed my hardware , and i just bought the home version from best buy

i need to install the home version wiithout loosing my files please

 

[Corwin65]

Are you sure you lost your license? Were you using a MS login? If so, it should activate if you use the same login. Unless you were using a gray market license, or not using a legit license, you should have no issues.

 

[Snipergod87]

You will need to backup your files then reinstall, at least that is as far as I know.

 

[SkyNetRising]

i need to do it since i lost my digital licence for the pro version since i changed my hardware

Just use activation troubleshooter to transfer license from old computer to new one.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20527/windows-10-activation-troubleshooter
(section - You recently made a significant hardware change)

 

[orlbuckeye]

Well, how did you go from Home to Pro? After the anniversary update MS linked your hardware changes to your MS account. SO now it uses the Digital Entitlement and your MS account to activate. If you installed Pro legally your MS account should reflect that change along with the hardware. Otherwise you would need a clean install and that would wipe your files.

 

[mjslakeridge]

I think your best bet would be to back up your files to an external drive, then proceed with the installation of Windows. You will have to re-install any programs you previously had, and then copy the files back. As others have suggested, going from Pro to Home may not create the Windows.old directory. I went from Windows 8 Pro 32 bit to Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit, and it did create the Windows.old directory, but I had all my data backed up to a spare drive to be safe.

 

[zeek77]

Thanks guys, luckily my dad gave menhis backup 500gb portable drive thats new he never used

I found a youtube vid were i just have to change som registry strings and then media tool will let me do what i want to do with windows 10 home, if that dosent work ill just so a clean install like you all said

Ill cgeck back here when its all done