I have a Dell XPS-8920 which came with Windows 10 Home. I own an uninstalled version of Windows 10 Pro. Can I use this version to upgrade to Pro? Thanks, Bill
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T (Windows 10 Pro) YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7 (Windows 10 Home - multi ) BT79Q-G7N6G-PGBYW-4YWX6-6F4BT (Windows 10 Home - single )
The rules are set by Microsoft not Dell. MS says you have to buy the Pro license from the Store to upgrade unless you have an unused retail (not OEM) version of Pro that has an activation code. If you do not need to enter a domain at work or do not need Bitlocker--stay with the OS you have. You already paid for it. Here are the rules
If you install the retail version it has to be a clean custom installation where you lose everything on the windows partition when you delete it. It is a full version of windows not an upgrade.
on EBay you can get a Win10 Pro licence key for $5 - $6. i haven't tried the licence key thing, but i did buy and use a full install DVD and used it. in my case my machine was a Home Edition and i stuck with it,
It’s commendable on Microsoft’s front to pack Windows 10 Home with all the core features, considering it’s the basic version. Windows 10 Home should work fine if you just care about the new attractive features like Cortana, Timeline, Windows Hello, etc. Microsoft has also added some security features in the Home edition like Microsoft Passport, device encryption, and more.
Coming to Windows 10 Pro, it packs all the core features and along with that, it brings some very advanced business aimed features like Windows Store & Update for Business, Azure Active Directory, BitLocker, Enterprise Data Protection and more. Maybe this will clear your doubts...
And for upgrading from home to Pro, you'll need to purchase the Pro version. Check with time if Microsoft is providing some offers for upgrading your windows.
You will need to buy another version if I understood you had a version of Windows 10 Pro on another desktop?
Is the Desktop/Laptop now dead? I mean as long as it's not in use if you call Microsoft and explain they may reactivate it. or try putting the key in where you see Anytime Upgrade.
Windows 10 Pro is more secure. I have always used pro. I had a refurbished HP Pavilion it came with a Windows 7 Refurbished License. The drive died I had no disk to reinstall. I ordered the orignal recovery DVD's from HP. It was Windows 7 Home Premium. I had the Windows 7 Refurbished License already it's really an OEM key. So what I did was used the key to upgrade to Professional. I ran that HP like that for years it was activated and it allowed the free upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.
speedstep
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September 30th, 2020 13:00
Legit keys work fine No need to buy windows again.
OEM disk will install without a key in trial mode.
Nothing to make you F12 boot this disk and it never goes bad.
https://www.newegg.com/microsoft-windows-10-pro-64-bit-reinstall-recovery-disc-only-no-license-key-included/p/N82E16832350238
For Older systems you have to use a key from COA or email as its not stored in the bios SLP.
These keys are for install not for activation and they are version specific.
XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH (Windows 8 Pro)
RR3BN-3YY9P-9D7FC-7J4YF-QGJXW (Windows 8 MCE)
FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3 (Windows 8 Home)
XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB (Windows 8.1 Pro)
GBFNG-2X3TC-8R27F-RMKYB-JK7QT (Windows 8.1 MCE)
334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT (Windows 8.1 Home)
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T (Windows 10 Pro)
YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7 (Windows 10 Home - multi )
BT79Q-G7N6G-PGBYW-4YWX6-6F4BT (Windows 10 Home - single )
Mary G
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July 27th, 2019 12:00
The rules are set by Microsoft not Dell. MS says you have to buy the Pro license from the Store to upgrade unless you have an unused retail (not OEM) version of Pro that has an activation code. If you do not need to enter a domain at work or do not need Bitlocker--stay with the OS you have. You already paid for it. Here are the rules
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12384/windows-10-upgrading-home-to-pro
If you install the retail version it has to be a clean custom installation where you lose everything on the windows partition when you delete it. It is a full version of windows not an upgrade.
Vic384
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3.2K Posts
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July 28th, 2019 06:00
Here is a complete list of the differences between Windows 10 Home and Pro: https://gadgets.ndtv.com/laptops/features/windows-10-home-vs-windows-10-pro-differences-new-features-718532
BillS22
5 Posts
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July 28th, 2019 06:00
I think I'll stick with the Home version.
My systems well, and I do not want to do a reinstall.
Thanks,
Bill
Saltgrass
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July 28th, 2019 07:00
Have you tried just changing the License key to see if that might work? If you have the retail Win 10 Pro, it might
I have never done that personally, I normally buy the upgrade to Pro and use it, which is just a license change.
cyberanvil
31 Posts
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July 28th, 2019 13:00
not giving an opinion but ---
on EBay you can get a Win10 Pro licence key for $5 - $6. i haven't tried the licence key thing, but i did buy and use a full install DVD and used it. in my case my machine was a Home Edition and i stuck with it,
speedstep
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47K Posts
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July 29th, 2019 08:00
EBay you can get a Win10 Pro licence key for $5 - $6.
This is obviously a scam.
Home costs $109 and Pro costs $199.
cyberanvil
31 Posts
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July 29th, 2019 19:00
how can it be a scam? i used it, with success. i'd give you a link to the one i used, but that might be against Dell policy.
eben_quaku
1 Message
0
August 1st, 2020 08:00
I did a fresh install, formatting my old installation from the partition but I still arrived home version
BrownLuther007
1 Message
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September 29th, 2020 04:00
It’s commendable on Microsoft’s front to pack Windows 10 Home with all the core features, considering it’s the basic version. Windows 10 Home should work fine if you just care about the new attractive features like Cortana, Timeline, Windows Hello, etc. Microsoft has also added some security features in the Home edition like Microsoft Passport, device encryption, and more.
Coming to Windows 10 Pro, it packs all the core features and along with that, it brings some very advanced business aimed features like Windows Store & Update for Business, Azure Active Directory, BitLocker, Enterprise Data Protection and more.
Maybe this will clear your doubts...
And for upgrading from home to Pro, you'll need to purchase the Pro version. Check with time if Microsoft is providing some offers for upgrading your windows.
CTG_8273
513 Posts
0
September 29th, 2020 07:00
@BillS22
You will need to buy another version if I understood you had a version of Windows 10 Pro on another desktop?
Is the Desktop/Laptop now dead? I mean as long as it's not in use if you call Microsoft and explain they may reactivate it.
or try putting the key in where you see Anytime Upgrade.
@Mary G
Windows 10 Pro is more secure. I have always used pro. I had a refurbished HP Pavilion it came with a Windows 7 Refurbished
License. The drive died I had no disk to reinstall. I ordered the orignal recovery DVD's from HP. It was Windows 7 Home Premium.
I had the Windows 7 Refurbished License already it's really an OEM key. So what I did was used the key to upgrade to Professional.
I ran that HP like that for years it was activated and it allowed the free upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.
@speedstep
Some of those keys on ebay do work make sure you get one from the US. Also PC World had a special where Windows 10 Pro was $39.99 and it was legit.