Activating Windows Pro using Windows Home to Pro Upgrade for Microsoft 365 Business

If you are using Microsoft 365 Business you can buy a key to upgrade Windows Home to Pro at a reduced rate from your MSP (£46 + VAT at time of publication).

To upgrade Windows to Pro with this license typically an installer would need to be created which is time consuming and inconvenient. However we have detailed an alternative method which utilises a generic key to make the initial switch to Pro which in turn allows the new license to be applied.

Windows 11

1. Disconnect the Laptop / PC from the internet.
2. Add the generic license key, and upgrade to Windows Pro:
   1. Go to Settings > System > Activation
   2. Select the 'Change' button against the Change product key option
   3. Enter the generic key VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T (if this fails check that the device has been disconnected from the internet)
   4. Follow the instructions on screen, allow the upgrade to complete, and restart the device
3. Add the new license key:
   1. Go to Settings > System > Activation
   2. Select the 'Change' button against the Change product key option
   3. Enter the new license key provided by your MSP
4. Reconnect the Laptop / PC to the internet
5. Activate the license via Settings > System > Activation

Windows 10

1. Disconnect the Laptop / PC from the internet.
2. Add the generic license key, and upgrade to Windows Pro:
   1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation
   2. Select 'Change product key'
   3. Enter the generic key VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T (if this fails check that the device has been disconnected from the internet)
   4. Follow the instructions on screen, allow the upgrade to complete, and wait for the device to restart
3. Add the new license key:
   1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation
   2. Select 'Change product key'
   3. Enter the new license key provided by your MSP
4. Reconnect the Laptop / PC to the internet
5. Activate the license via Settings > Update & Security > Activation