Microsoft's new activation rules for windows 10 take a little time to adapt。
The biggest change is the way in which product keys are handled to obtain so-called “digital rights”. If you take full advantage of the programmes provided by microsoft: free upgrade from windows 7 or windows 8. 1 to windows 10, windows 10 is not needed at all。
Instead, your hardware digital footprint is stored on microsoft's active server, so that you can re-install that version of windows into the original hardware, without the product key。
In addition, starting with the november 2015 windows 10 update (i. E. 1511), you can activate the installed windows 10 using windows 7, windows 8 or windows 8. 1 product keys。
The problem is further complicated by the fact that microsoft provides windows 10 with a default product key that can be used to unlock the version without activation. I have previously seen an article claiming that it can be “upgraded free of charge” to the windows 10 professional edition, although it is probably incorrect。
But the new rules do support interesting scenes, especially when it comes to upgrades (e. G. Windows 10 family editions to professional ones)。
In particular, it means that you may suddenly be using idle product keys. Microsoft, for example, sold a highly discounted windows 8 professional upgrade service in the first months of its release. In addition, you may have a windows 7 professional or final version from retail outlets, in which case the permit relating to the product key is no longer applicable。
The keys can be used again to enable you to upgrade from windows 10 to windows 10, perhaps saving $100。
Recently, i have been testing upgrades/activation scenarios on numerous hardware sites to see how things are. Here's the inside。
Scenario 1: clean re-installation
I recently upgraded the solid hard drive in the hewlett-packet spectre x 360, which initially brought windows 8. 1 home editions, and later upgraded to windows 10 professional editions. After the upgrade was completed, i re-installed a clean windows 10 professional version with a flash drive。
During the installation, the system twice prompted me to enter the product key. I chose this option twice: i omitted the input key。
After the installation was completed, i registered and checked for activation (setting, updating and safety, activation). The system has been correctly activated as a result of microsoft server hardware recognition and the use of digital rights。
Scenario 2: clean re-installation, upgrade with version
When i tested it, i used surface 3, which was originally accompanied by windows 8. 1, and later upgraded to windows 10, which uses digital rights. It was then upgraded from home to professional using the windows 10 product key from msn. Thus, the device actually registered digital rights on microsoft's active server for two versions of windows 10 (family and professional)。
I then downloaded microsoft's recovery image file for surface 3, copied it to the u. D., re-installed the original operating system: windows 8. 1 home version。
Next, i use windows to update the system to windows 10. It works, just one problem: i just installed windows 10 for the home version. But i have a digital right to use windows 10 professional editions. How can such upgrading be forced?
At this point, the default product key can be used. I click change production key in the system control panel (change the product key) (with the same button on the active page set). This opens this dialogue box。
I then entered the default product key for windows 10:
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This shows windows that i want to move from a family to a professional version, as shown in the figure。
I clicked on start upgrade, and in a few minutes the system was restarted. Once i'm connected to the internet, windows activates my hardware against the microsoft server. As the hardware has been recorded with the windows 10 professional version of digital rights, i was activated immediately and did not need to enter the product key。
Scenario 3: upgrading the new pc from a family version to a professional version
Suppose you bought a new pc with a windows 10 home version installed by oem manufacturers. If you check the active pages in the settings, it should be:
If you have a windows 10 professional product key, you can click the change product key button and enter the product key here. Easy。
If you don't have a professional version of the product key, you can buy one by clicking on go to store and buying an upgrade for $100. It's easy。
But if you have a windows 7 or a final key, or a windows 8/8. 1, a professional key, how is it good? If that's the case, you need to upgrade in two steps。
First, make sure that you have installed the november update and that it is running 1511。
Next, click change production key (change the product key) and enter the default product key for windows 10 professional version (see figure above). Once the upgrade has been completed, look again at the activation, and you'll see this:
What, you expect this default key to magically provide you with $100 worth of upgrades? I'm sorry, that's impossible, though you might have seen it elsewhere。
On the contrary, click the change production key (change the product key) button and enter the key for the windows 7 professional/final or windows 8/8. 1. Assuming this is a valid key and you run windows 10, 1511, or an updated version, the activation process should be completed。
If this process seems to be difficult and normal. However, the process was fast。
Any questions?
Original title: how to upgrade from windows 10 home to pro without hassles, by ed bott
[51 cto translation, cooperation site reproduced with 51 cto. Com]
