I'm sure this question has been asked and answered but after a solid 90 minutes of searching I decided to post. iw (For once) I'd like to purchase a legitimate Windows 10 Professional upgrade key for a couple of machines that currently came installed Windows 10 Home. These are just consumer-grade machines. However, I want to avoid tying them to a Microsoft account. From where and what type of key can I purchase that will allow and upgrade to Win 10 Pro without a pesky Microsoft account and just a key? Thanks! Craig
@Enthousiast Sorry for any confusion. I currently have Win10 Home and I want to upgrade using a paid for a and purchased Win 10 key without any activators.
Buying in the Store requires an MS account, however. No idea if there are still upgrade kits available at retailers.
Confirmed the $150 OEM Builders License purchased from Micro Center worked in this order: 1. Disconnect any NICs with an Internet connection. 2. Use the key @Enthousiast gave ending in 3V66T and let windows install additional features 3. Connect NIC to Internet and enter OEM Builders Retail Key. 4. Peel and stick the shiny COA sticker on the bottom of the HP x360 laptop and call it a professional PC
If these were originally Win10 Home preinstalled i,e, HP oem with MSDM key in bios then when they reinstall windows 10 it will install Win 10 home. So you will need to use PID.txt or ei.cfg file if you want to install pro
That's a pain in the ass thing they do tying the BIOS to a windows version. Not as much for desktop machines especially custom builds, but just about all laptops use a BIOS key to activate. So you have to jump through a couple hoops to get around it, not a big deal, but still something they actually made more difficult by trying to make easier.