How to Upgrade From Windows 10 Home to Pro

Once you've decided you need to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro, you have two methods to do so. One is to do a fresh install of Pro, while the other is to install Pro on top of Windows 10 Home. We'll focus on this second method here because your computer likely came installed with Home.

• Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro via the Windows Store
• Upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro via a License Key/Digital License
• How to Transfer Your Windows 10 Pro Upgrade

However, if you installed Home manually, for example on a PC you built yourself, you have the option to move the Home license elsewhere and install the Pro version in its place.

Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro via the Windows Store

If you haven't paid anything for the upgrade yet, and no one has handed you a copy of Pro, the most straightforward way to upgrade is using the Windows Store. In order to upgrade, take the following steps:

1. First, make sure your PC doesn't have any pending updates.
   
   
2. Next, select the Start Menu, then select Settings.
   
   
3. Select Update & Security.
   
   
   
4. Check for new Windows 10 updates by tapping or clicking on the Check for updates button.
   
   
   
   
5. In Windows 10, downloading and installing updates is automatic and will happen immediately after checking or, with some updates, at a time when you're not using your computer.
   
   
   
   
6. Once updates are complete, select the Start Menu, then select Settings.
   
   
7. Select Update & Security.
   
   
   
8. Select Activation on the left-hand menu.
   
   
   
9. Select Go to the Store.
   
   
   
10. This will lead you to the Windows Store where you can purchase the upgrade by selecting the Buy button. Upgrading to Windows 10 Pro will cost you $99.
    
    Important: If you have already received a Windows 10 Pro product key from CyberPowerPC, then select the text below the buy button that says "I have a Windows 10 Pro product key" to proceed.
    
    
    
11. Log in with your Microsoft account, then enter your payment method. Windows will upgrade in no time flat.

Upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro via a License Key/Digital License

If you do have a copy of Windows 10 Pro, or maybe you found a retail copy of the upgrade for less than the $99.99 Microsoft charges, you'll have a Product Key (alternately called a license key) that enables Windows 10 Pro. You'll need it to replace your current license key. To do so:

1. Make sure you're up to date on any Windows Updates.
   
   
2. Select the Start Menu, then select Settings.
   
   
3. Select Update & Security.
   
   
   
4. Check for new Windows 10 updates by tapping or clicking on the Check for updates button.
   
   
   
   
5. In Windows 10, downloading and installing updates is automatic and will happen immediately after checking or, with some updates, at a time when you're not using your computer.
   
   
   
   
6. Once updates are complete, select the Start Menu, then select Settings.
   
   
7. Select Update & Security.
   
   
   
8. Select Activation on the left-hand menu.
   
   
   
9. Under Activation, select Change product key.
   
   
   
10. Enter the 25-digit Windows Pro Product Key.
    
    
    
11. Select Next. If your key is correct, the upgrade will start, and you'll soon get a message that Windows has been upgraded.

How to Transfer Your Windows 10 Pro Upgrade

Since you had a full operating system before this upgrade, you can remove it from its current machine and use it on another. You're effectively reinstalling your original license, which will make the upgrade available again. If you need to do this:

1. Look at the bottom of your Windows laptop, or on the top/side of a desktop tower. There might be a sticker there showing your original Windows product key; alternatively, it might be in the manuals and other material that came in your PC's box.
   
   
2. Enter the key in the Change product key dialog as noted above, and you'll effectively "downgrade" to your old Home license.
   
   
3. Your upgrade license should now be freed up to be installed on another machine.