73CPBL2 BIOS Update to Match OS

Question

This laptop came originally with Win10 - 64bit Home (edition). After chronic problems, Dell tech support told me to reload the OS. I chose to load Win7 - 64bit Pro, then get the free Win10 upgrade from Microsoft. When I tried to perform the upgrade, it wanted to install Win10 - 64bit Home. I was told by Microsoft that the original OS is loaded in the BIOS. How do I change it?

ejn63 · Accepted Answer

Once the install is complete, you should be able to use the license key for 7 Pro to activate the Pro version of Windows 10.

To change the license key:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-10-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227

(there's no difference in the install of Pro vs. non-Pro; the license key simply activates the features the non-Pro key doesn't allow).

nyc10036 · Answer

The Windows 10 product key is embedded on the motherboard. So, download Media Creation Tool to install Windows 10 again.   .

AL_in_GA · Answer

@nyc10036  I don't follow. Since I've already installed Win7 Pro, shouldn't the key say 'pro'? If I try to reinstall, what will I get? Will the download update itself later to Pro?

ejn63 · Answer

If Windows 7 Pro is installed and activated, boot into it and start the Windows 10 upgrade under Windows. It will upgrade 7 Pro to 10 Pro.

If Windows 7 Pro is installed, but isn't activated, or you install from a clean bootup, it'll install Windows 10 non-Pro if that's what the system arrived with.

AL_in_GA · Answer

@ejn63 -

OK; that is clear. However, I did boot into an activated Window7-64 Pro environment and THEN went to the USB stick where the installation resides. It said it would install Windows 10 Home.

This is an Inspiron 15 3565

nyc10036 · Answer

You could always download the Windows 10 Pro ISO and create a bootable USB using Rufus.

AL_in_GA · Answer

Thanks to Everyone for Helping

So here is the final resolution -

1. Installed Win7-64bit Pro

2. Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10?ranMID=24542&ranEAID=0JlRymcP1YU&ranSiteID=0JlRymcP1YU-v.5YoeKEd8Ttzj7g0bkgBQ&epi=0JlRymcP1YU-v.5YoeKEd8Ttzj7g0bkgBQ&irgwc=1&OCID=AID2000142_aff_7593_1243925&tduid=%28ir__u9kdbxhfmgkfqy6ekk0sohzl2n2xsqi3n6wsn9e900%29%287593%29%281243925%29%280JlRymcP1YU-v.5YoeKEd8Ttzj7g0bkgBQ%29%28%29&irclickid=_u9kdbxhfmgkfqy6ekk0sohzl2n2xsqi3n6wsn9e900

and create the necessary installation media for Win10

3. Boot the machine under Win7, then go to the media (DVD or USB) and run Setup.exe as an upgrade

4. When finished, it will be Win10-64 Home. Open Windows Explorer --> My Computer --> Properties, then select "upgrade this edition of windows". Enter the original product key for Win7 Pro and give it 30 minutes to upgrade.

5. Do #4 before the PC has time to start downloading 2 years of updates. It can do that for Windows Pro.

Inspiron

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