[SOLVED] How to purchase Windows 10 Pro N license?

[tt107]

I just set up a new custom computer. I installed Windows 10 Pro N. I need to activate the license, how do I purchase it? I am in the USA, and I cannot find Windows 10 Pro N in the windows store. I read somewhere that the license has to be "N".

 

[Barty1884]

Pro N is just Pro without some pre-installed apps.
I suspect the 'standard' Pro license should activate

Is there any specific reason you opted for N, out of curiosity?

 

[ex_bubblehead]

"N" is a european released version, you won't find anything to do with it in the US.

I suspect the 'standard' Pro license should activate

Nope, "N" has its own license code.

 

[USAFRet]

Pro and Pro N are different licenses
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...10-pro-n/aca40bec-4a7c-4b90-af2c-2845b7779041

And Pro N is only available for sale from MS Europe.


Why did you install N?

 

[Barty1884]

Nope, "N" has its own license code.

Pro and Pro N are different licenses

I stand corrected.

 

[tt107]

I installed N because I didn't want the media software, I wanted to make the computer as light as possible. Maybe it was a mistake, but it's what I have on there now.

I thought I could purchase the "N" because it's software, and I thought I could purchase something like that online without any trouble. But if it is a serious issue, I can figure something else out.

I have a contractor in my office working on that new computer, so I can't get to the computer until off-hours, and I really don't want to have to wait until tonight and re-install the OS. Besides, he has installed some software that he needs to use, and setting everything up with a new OS is time I don't want to waste. If there really is no other option I will be forced to do that, but I really don't have any spare time right now.

 

[USAFRet]

I installed N because I didn't want the media software, I wanted to make the computer as light as possible. Maybe it was a mistake, but it's what I have on there now.

I thought I could purchase the "N" because it's software, and I thought I could purchase something like that online without any trouble. But if it is a serious issue, I can figure something else out.

I have a contractor in my office working on that new computer, so I can't get to the computer until off-hours, and I really don't want to have to wait until tonight and re-install the OS. Besides, he has installed some software that he needs to use, and setting everything up with a new OS is time I don't want to waste. If there really is no other option I will be forced to do that, but I really don't have any spare time right now.

Well, there's not a lot of options.

Buy a valid Win 10 Pro license and install that.
or
Buy a valid N license from a MS european site.

 

[tt107]

Well, there's not a lot of options.

Buy a valid Win 10 Pro license and install that.
or
Buy a valid N license from a MS european site.

I agree, although I couldn't find a proper MS european site to purchase from, I did some searches, but a lot of things show up. Can you post a link?

 

[ex_bubblehead]

And, keep in mind that "N" is not sold or supported in the US, you're entirely on your own there. If this is in a business environment then you need to bite the bullet and install a supported version, no matter how much of a hassle you may consider it. You would have spent less time had you installed a proper version in the first place.

 

[USAFRet]

I agree, although I couldn't find a proper MS european site to purchase from, I did some searches, but a lot of things show up. Can you post a link?

From a USA IP address, MS just refers you back to MS USA.
No luck there.

Business system, bite the bullet and do a wipe and reinstall with a known valid Win 10 Pro license. Just have to suck it up with whatever software your contractor has already installed.
One day to do it right.

 

[popatim]

Wait... Win10 & 10N is a free download. It's the license that cost $.

So you paid for free software and no license?

 

[tt107]

I'll take USAFRet's advice and wipe and reinstall. If anyone has a good link for the steps to do this, please share

 

[USAFRet]

No, I just need the license. I need a 10N license. That is why I started this thread
How to purchase Windows 10 Pro N license?

Which you apparently can't do from the US. N being a EU mandated thing.

 

[tt107]

Ok, thanks. If you have a good link for steps on how to wipe and re-install with Win 10 Pro, please share. I'll be doing this for the first time. I used USB for the Pro N, so I would probably do the same.

 

[USAFRet]

Ok, thanks. If you have a good link for steps on how to wipe and re-install with Win 10 Pro, please share. I'll be doing this for the first time. I used USB for the Pro N, so I would probably do the same.

Specifically, this:

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

Section II, Step 6 & 7 speak to deleting ALL the existing partitions and continuing with a blank drive.