I purchased a laptop that was pre-loaded with Windows 8 Home Edition. I was running the Technical Preview of Windows 10 since it was available to the public. When Windows 10 was released, I did the free upgrade, which upgraded me to Windows 10 Home Edition since I previously had Windows 8 Home Edition. With my career, I needed access to some of the features that are only available in Windows 10 Pro, such as installing the Remote Server Administration Tools RSAT.
I have a legit Windows 8 Pro key available that I purchased a while ago when it was on sale. When I tried to upgrade, I would get an activation error 0xc004f014 and it wouldn’t let me upgrade or activate to Windows 10 Pro.
Luckily, I was able to find a solution, using the free trial Windows 10 Pro key provided by Microsoft, then putting in my legit key after I was upgraded to Pro.
How To
Open Settings > System > About > Change Product Key or Upgrade Your Edition Of Windows > Change Product Key
Now you’ll want to enter the default Windows 10 Pro product key as mentioned by Charles From Microsoft:
From your Windows 10 Home running Version 1511, enter the Windows 10 Pro Default key under change product key.
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T This default key will not activate the system, just take you to Pro so you can activate using a valid Pro key that you will provide.Once you have done this, the system will go through an upgrade process from Home to Pro, but will not be activated on Pro. You can now enter your Windows 8 Pro key into your Windows 10 Pro system and it will activate.
After you perform these steps, your computer will restart a few times and upgrade your edition to Windows 10 Pro. This new upgrade will not be activated, so you will want to follow these steps again and enter your legit key for Windows 8 Pro or Windows 10 Pro.
Open Settings > System > About > Change Product Key or Upgrade Your Edition Of Windows > Change Product Key
If you run into any issues, please leave comments below and I will try to assist you.
Thank you so much, Robert, for posting this! I had purchased an 8.1 Pro upgrade from Home a few months ago, but somehow during my move to Windows 10, it took me to Home. I had deleted my 8.1 files to save space on my SSD, so I couldn’t go back to upgrade to 10 Pro. My 8.1 Pro key would not work on the Windows 10 Home setup.
After some searching and finding this post, your trick worked like a dream! Switched to the temp Win Pro key you provided, upgraded/rebooted, and then entered my 8.1 Pro key, and it took it and activated. I’m so pleased I didn’t have to reinstall everything again! Appreciate your efforts.
Lee
Yhou are a rockstar man.. great post – helped me out of a jam.
this worked perfectly! thanks.
GREAT! i love you so much!
Hi Robert,
Is it possible to use the above mentioned trick in order to upgrade my Home Edition to Enterprise? I have a legit Enterprise CD-Key?
Or I need a default key related to this edition?
Best Regards!
This will only upgrade your version of Windows to Pro not Enterprise – If you have a valid enterprise key I would suggest you go to the source where you got it from to receive the download. Whether it be your administrator or MSDN.
You are a life saver! Thank you SO SO much for this!
you are my hero!
Great solution! Also works for upgrading to Windows 10 Enterprise from Home via Pro. Thnx.
OH GOODNESS!!! CANT BELIEVE IT WORKS!! THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!! I was scared to death when my new legit pro key isnt working.
Hi,
Thanks for the advise!
But after I tried it I got the following message:
The product key you entered didn’t work. Check the product key and try again, or enter a different one.
Error Code: 0x800f0805
I’m sure that I entered the one you placed.
Any thoughts?
errore 0x8004230f upgrade dont work
You are the best by saving a lot of my time. You made my day :) and everything ran smoothly.
this just saved me a lot of hassle,
thanks !