Change Windows 10 installation from Home to Pro

[MrPotatoFace]

Ok, so I just finished building my first PC a few days ago. I downloaded Windows 10 Home to it, and today I bought a Windows 10 Pro key, thinking I could just type it in, and it would update to Pro, but when I went to activate it, it didn't work. I also noticed afterwards that it says underneath the code on the kinguin website: "This product cannot be used to upgrade your system from another version!"

 

How can I update my PC to Windows 10 Pro WITHOUT losing my data in order to use my key?

 

Thanks in advance for all answers.

Edited May 30, 2019 by MrPotatoFace

[imreloadin]

Just now, MrPotatoFace said:

Ok, so I just finished building my first PC a few days ago. I downloaded Windows 10 Home to it, and today I bought a Windows 10 Pro key, thinking I could just type it in, and it would update to Pro, but when I went to activate it, it didn't work. I also noticed afterwards that it says underneath the code on the kinguin website: "This product cannot be used to upgrade your system from another version!"

 

How can I update my PC to Windows 10 Pro in order to use my key?

 

Thanks in advance for all answers.

Do a clean install of Windows 10 Pro...

[MrPotatoFace]

Forgot a key part  of the question: How can I update my PC to Windows 10 Pro WITHOUT losing any of my data?

[TheGlenlivet]

Call Microsoft.  THey can use the Key to upgrade you if it is the right Key.

[Sir Asvald]

9 minutes ago, MrPotatoFace said:

Forgot a key part  of the question: How can I update my PC to Windows 10 Pro WITHOUT losing any of my data?

Do you have a secondary drive? if so copy your data onto it then disconnect it when you're installing windows. once everything is done, reconnect your HDD copy your files back to the OS drive.

[MrPotatoFace]

Just now, TheGlenlivet said:

Call Microsoft.  THey can use the Key to upgrade you if it is the right Key.

Wouldn't they refuse, considering this is an OEM key from kinguin?

[MrPotatoFace]

1 minute ago, Abdul201588 said:

Do you have a secondary drive? if so copy your data onto it then disconnect it when you're installing windows. once everything is done, reconnect your HDD copy your files back to the OS drive.

Thanks a lot, I'll try it

[TheGlenlivet]

Just now, MrPotatoFace said:

Wouldn't they refuse, considering this is an OEM key from kinguin?

You kinda skipped the Kinguin part in your original post.  See if you can get your Money back from Kinguin and buy a real one.

[nick name]

You can do it from within your current install by upgrading with the Pro key.  

[nick name]

Click Windows Logo > Settings icon on the left (the gear) > Update & Security > Activation (on the left) > Change Product Key

 

Edit:

I didn't read the OP and jumped right in.  Now after reading -- I am assuming that this is the method you tried and that failed.  My apologies.  

[rio2]

31 minutes ago, MrPotatoFace said:

Ok, so I just finished building my first PC a few days ago. I downloaded Windows 10 Home to it, and today I bought a Windows 10 Pro key, thinking I could just type it in, and it would update to Pro, but when I went to activate it, it didn't work. I also noticed afterwards that it says underneath the code on the kinguin website: "This product cannot be used to upgrade your system from another version!"

  

How can I update my PC to Windows 10 Pro WITHOUT losing my data in order to use my key?

 

Thanks in advance for all answers.

Do an in place upgrade to Pro, your apps will be deleted, but data stays. But an in place upgrade is kind of messy, so I suggest backing up to an external/secondary hard drive. NOTE: I highly recommend unplugging your secondary HDD during the Windows install, to make sure you won't format your data drive by accident.

[DeaconFrost]

If Windows 10 Home is refusing your key, it's likely a problem with the key itself, as others have mentioned.  If it was a legitimate key, your upgrade would have gone smoothly, requiring a single reboot, no data or applications lost.