How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade From Windows 11 Home To Pro
Vida Hubbert
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how much does it cost to upgrade from windows 11 home to pro
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If you purchase a new PC with Windows 11 Home preinstalled, prepare to be annoyed. This down-market edition (maybe we should just call it Windows for Cheapskates) doesn't have the features you need for getting real work done.
One option that used to work is, alas, no longer available. Previously, you could reuse an old product key from Windows 7 Pro, Windows 7 Ultimate, or Windows 8/8.1 Pro to enable an upgrade or clean install from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro, potentially saving you the upgrade fee. Microsoft closed that loophole in September 2023 when it finally ended its free Windows 10 upgrade program.
If you've been building and upgrading PCs for a decade or more it might be worth rummaging through your garage, storeroom, or email archives to see if you can locate a product key for Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro. (Keys for Windows 10 can be used with Windows 11 and vice-versa.)
If you purchased a retail copy of Windows 10 Pro and used it on an old PC that's since been retired, you can freely reuse it. (OEM copies that were preinstalled on the PC when you bought it aren't transferable.) As an alternative, you can look for a discounted copy online. Microsoft's retail price for Windows 11 Pro is $199, but you can find much bigger discounts without having to look far. Just be aware of the risk associated with "gray market" software.
If you want to skip the product key completely, you can pay Microsoft $99 for an upgrade directly from the Microsoft Store. A word of caution, though: That license is tied to the computer on which you upgrade and can't be transferred to a different device.
You only need to use that product key one time. After you complete the upgrade from Windows 10/11 Home, the Windows 10/11 Pro digital license is attached to the specific hardware you just upgraded. That digital license allows you to reinstall and activate the Pro edition on that hardware anytime, without the need for a product key.
Let's say you buy a new PC with Windows 11 Home installed by the OEM. Some vendors offer an upgrade option as part of the purchase, but many PCs sold in the retail channel are preloaded with the Home edition.
Click the arrow to the right of Upgrade your edition of Windows to expand that section. Locate your product key for Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro, click the Change Product Key button and enter that 25-character key here.
You'll see a succession of progress screens and your system will restart. After the upgrade completes, you should see a Success notification. Got to Settings > System > Activation again to confirm that you're now running Windows 11 Pro.
After you've successfully performed a Home-to-Pro upgrade, you can file that product key away. Your upgrade is now a digital license, attached to your unique hardware. If you perform a reinstallation of Windows, Microsoft's activation servers will recognize and activate Windows automatically -- I've tested the process personally on hundreds of physical and virtual systems of systems over the years and can confirm it works.
To install a clean copy of Windows on a PC that already has a digital license for Windows 10/11 Pro, you need to boot from a USB flash drive that contains the Windows setup files. When you see the option to enter a product key, choose I don't have a product key.
When prompted, be sure to choose Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro as the edition to install. Don't choose any of the options whose names end with the letter N, and don't choose Windows Pro for Workstations.
After setup is complete, sign in and check the activation status (Settings > System > Activation). Assuming you didn't make major hardware changes, Microsoft's servers will recognize the hardware and you should see a notice that the system is activated with a digital license. If the system isn't properly activated, click Troubleshoot to see if you can resolve the issue.
The one gotcha in this series of scenarios comes when you have a system that includes digital licenses for both Home and Pro editions. In that scenario, you might inadvertently restore the original Home edition. That happened to me during the course of testing for this article. I used a recovery image to reinstall Windows 11 on a PC that had originally shipped with Windows 11 Home and had been upgraded to Windows 11 Pro. If that happens to you, don't bother searching for the product key you used to upgrade.
Security of the operating systems remains the biggest difference between the Windows Home and Pro programs, with the Pro version ultimately reigning as the safer choice to secure and protect your information. Windows Pro edition adds the following features that are not available with Home edition: Domain Join, Hyper-V, BitLocker, Microsoft Update for Business, Remote Desktop Server, and Assigned Access features while the Pro version does. Learn more by comparing on Microsoft's website.
Depends on what you need. If you want the option to encrypt all files on all drives using BitLocker Drive Encryption or want the ability to defer monthly updates, then consider going Pro. However, if you're just using your PC for routine tasks and you don't need those advanced features, the Home version should work for you just fine. Sign in with a Microsoft account to ensure that the system drive is encrypted.
I am looking at purchasing a new Surface Pro 7+ with the 12.3" touchscreen. It comes with Windows 11 Home. I am reasonably sure I will prefer to have Pro instead. What is the cost for the activation key to make that happen?? I cannot find a place on the store to answer this question.
Thank you. I am purchasing the Surface soon. My problem was I had no way to get to those screens. The $99 price tag is about what I expected. Any idea how long it takes to activate and/or configure? Presumably it's already installed and just a "switch" that gets turned on or is there a massive download & install?
Seems like Keyingo only sells the full version of Windows 11 Pro, not the upgrade from Home to Pro. If a computer already has Windows 11 Home pre-loaded, would the full version of Windows 11 Pro still work for me?@adgmiea
In over 3 decades of installing Windows both in a professional corporate setting and at home, I have never taken less than four hours to do a clean install of any incarnation of Microsoft Windows. It generally takes that long just install all the latest updates.
If your windows are in good condition, taking steps to improve their efficiency may be the most cost-effective option to increase the comfort of your home and save money on energy costs. There are several things you can do to improve the efficiency of your existing windows:
First look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying new windows. Then review ratings on the energy performance label from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) to find the most efficient windows for your needs.
Window replacement costs typically range from $230 to $1,230 per window, but homeowners will pay around $730 per window on average. These costs can be dependent on the window style, material, brand, and any special features. This guide covers all costs associated with this home upgrade, plus tips for finding the best replacement windows within your style and budget.
Window prices vary based on the type of window material, its glazing, style, and associated labor costs. Traditional styles, such as double-hung windows in stock sizes, are generally less expensive than custom sizes or design-focused options, such as skylights. Custom windows are also pricier than standard options. In our survey of 1,000 homeowners, 51% of respondents opted for standard windows while 49% went with a custom order, so the right fit depends on your home and design tastes.
Single-pane windows offer minimal protection from external temperatures or noises but have the lowest price tag, with each window costing around $150 to $400. Double-pane windows provide more protection from external factors but start at around $450 per window on average. Triple-pane glass offers maximum protection from the environment and the best value for your home. Expect to pay several hundred dollars for triple-pane windows.
Installing complex, labor-intensive windows such as skylights or bay windows will increase your total cost. So will adding a new frame or trim to irregular windows or replacing worn window frames. Your installer should provide you with a written estimate up-front.
Many window installers include disposal and cleanup costs in their estimates. Installation crews will properly dispose of your old windows, installation materials, and trash. Ask your installer if these services are included. If not, you may incur additional fees for proper cleanup. Disposal fees typically cost $40 to $50.
Your geographic location could impact your selected replacement windows. Residents in colder areas should invest in adequately insulated windows with multiple panes. For warmer climates, consider windows with adequate ventilation and a low-e coating to help reduce air conditioning (AC) use. Local ordinances sometimes dictate the best window materials to use based on the climate.
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