How to Change Windows 10 Home to Pro

What You’ll Need

A valid Windows 10 Pro product key (25-character code) OR a Microsoft account with a purchased Pro upgrade.
Administrator access to your PC.
Stable internet connection (for activation and any downloads).
Your files and apps will remain intact; no need to back up, but it’s always wise to have a recent backup.

Check your current edition: Press Win + I to open Settings, go to System > About. Under “Windows specifications,” confirm it says Windows 10 Home. If it already says Pro, you’re done.
Open Activation settings: In Settings, go to Update & Security > Activation. You’ll see your edition and activation status. Click Change product key (if you have a key) or Go to Store (to buy an upgrade).
Enter your product key: Type your 25-character Pro key (format: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX). Click Next and then Activate. Windows will validate the key online.
Restart if prompted: After activation, Windows may ask you to restart. Save your work and restart. Your edition should now show Windows 10 Pro.
If using the Store: If you chose “Go to Store,” you’ll see the Pro upgrade page. Click Buy and complete the purchase. Then follow the on-screen prompts to install and activate.
Verify activation: After restart, go back to Settings > Update & Security > Activation. It should say “Windows is activated” and show Windows 10 Pro.

Entering a key for the wrong edition: A Windows 10 Home key won’t work for Pro. Make sure your key is specifically for Pro.
Typing errors: Keys are case-insensitive but easy to mistype. Double-check each character, especially O vs 0 and I vs 1.
Skipping the restart: Some features may not fully switch until you restart. Always restart when prompted.
Using a key already in use: If the key is already active on another PC, you’ll get an error. You may need to deactivate it there first (if you own it).
Forgetting to check internet connection: Activation requires internet. If offline, activation will fail.

Before buying a key, verify it’s from a reputable source. Microsoft Store is the safest.
If you have a digital license for Home, upgrading via the Store will keep your digital license for Pro too.
You can also use the Command Prompt as an alternative: run as admin, type slmgr /ipk your-key, then slmgr /ato to activate.
After upgrading, check for Windows updates to ensure all Pro features are fully installed.

Error “The product key didn’t work”: Double-check the key for typos. If it’s a volume license key, it may not work for retail. Try entering it again after a few minutes.
Activation fails with error 0x803F7001: This means Windows can’t activate because the key is blocked or invalid. Contact the seller or Microsoft Support.
Store upgrade doesn’t appear: Make sure you’re signed in with a Microsoft account. If the option is missing, try updating Windows first.
Edition still shows Home after entering key: Wait a few minutes and restart. If it persists, run the Activation troubleshooter: Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Troubleshoot.
Key was used on another PC: You’ll need to remove it from that PC first (Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Deactivate), or contact Microsoft Support to transfer the license.

No. The upgrade keeps all your personal files, apps, and settings. It’s a seamless process.

Pricing varies and changes; check the Microsoft Store for the current price. It’s typically a one-time fee.

Yes, but it’s not straightforward. You’d need to reinstall Windows 10 Home from scratch, which would remove your files unless you back them up.

Not for entering a product key, but yes if you buy from the Microsoft Store. You can create a free account if needed.

Pro adds BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop, Hyper-V virtualization, Group Policy management, and Windows Update for Business, among others.

No. Those keys are for older systems and won’t activate Windows 10 Pro. You need a Windows 10 Pro key.

Sources: Microsoft Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.