Installed Windows 10 home without a code, now I have a Pro code, wont work

[deepwaterhorizon]

I installed Windows 10 Home non genuine via USB as I had no code. I have a WIndows 10 Pro OEM code and it wont activate my copy. If I make a USB stick with windows 10 and install on a new HD will it work? please im not good with tech

 

[Barty1884]

I believe you have to be activated to upgrade inside W10 (so W10 home activated, you can upgrade to W10 pro).

In this situation, assuming you have a legit W10 pro code, you can clean install your OS by creating bootable media and entering the W10 Pro key.

When you go to the 'activation' page in settings, it'll prompt you to go to the MS store - there may be an option to 'upgrade' to Pro from there, but I don't believe that's the case.

 

[sadams04]

You will need to install the Pro version of Windows to activate it using the Pro code. The Home version will require a different key. Simply install / upgrade Win 10 Pro on top of Home and you should be fine activating after that.

 

[deepwaterhorizon]

I believe you have to be activated to upgrade inside W10 (so W10 home activated, you can upgrade to W10 pro).

In this situation, assuming you have a legit W10 pro code, you can clean install your OS by creating bootable media and entering the W10 Pro key.

When you go to the 'activation' page in settings, it'll prompt you to go to the MS store - there may be an option to 'upgrade' to Pro from there, but I don't believe that's the case.

but will my data on my HDD be effected?

 

[Barty1884]

I'm not sure if you can upgrade within an un-activated W10 home. If you can, you'll be fine*, if not; then you'll need to back up your data as a clean install requires a format.

*Fine in the sense nothing *should* go wrong. As always, it's a very smart idea to backup any data you cannot afford to lose.

 

[techienumber1]

You will need to install the Pro version of Windows to activate it using the Pro code. The Home version will require a different key. Simply install / upgrade Win 10 Pro on top of Home and you should be fine activating after that.

frade to say from microsoft they have informed us insiders that pro w10 you dont need a key for any of them only DF versions you need a code for

being an insider I have found that MS has been very nice in w10 and not needing codes is one thing
on install
install offline
when asked for code select skip or I dont have a code

after install go online wait for 20 seconds after pressing activate
there you go w10 active

 

[techienumber1]

one day I will be able to tell all these starters how to install windows 10 properly
me and microsoft are trying to keep all the bad news about windows 10 as little as possible
like the other day I was working at a place where I had to improve all the systems using w7
it took me 3 days to do this as working out the problems first took 2 days simple correction took me 1 day
now all machines are working fine
with 1 of the laptops they will be allowing me to run w10 insider to see what I can do with it but firstly I must have clearance by the main admin
the reason for this machine getting w10 insider version is that I am an insider helping MS to better the system not make cheap comments so know this with people like me behind what is going on there are qualified people doing the work to make things better