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On an activated Windows 11 Home PC, go to Settings > System > Activation > Change product key, enter your valid 25-character Windows 11 Pro key, and select Next. Windows will begin the edition upgrade. If you do not have a key, Microsoft recommends buying the upgrade through Microsoft Store.

Before you upgrade

Check the installed edition and activation state at Settings > System > Activation. Microsoft’s manual product-key instructions apply to an activated Windows 11 Home installation. If Home is not activated, activate it before trying the key-based upgrade. Microsoft also recommends bringing Windows 11 up to date first.

The key must be for Windows 11 Pro, and the installed Windows edition must match the license for activation to succeed. A key’s validity or legitimacy cannot be determined from its format alone.

Upgrade with a product key you already own

  1. Open Settings > System > Activation.
  2. Select Change product key (or Change beside that option).
  3. Enter the 25-character Windows 11 Pro product key and select Next.
  4. Follow the prompts. Windows begins the edition upgrade; allow it to finish and restart if prompted.

If User Account Control asks for permission, you may need to use an administrator account. Microsoft’s instructions for the Home-to-Pro upgrade are at Upgrade Windows Home to Windows Pro; its general product-key instructions describe entering a key to install or upgrade an edition.

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#1 Best Overall
Windows 11 Pro Upgrade, from Windows 11 Home (Digital Download)
  • Instantly productive. Simpler, more intuitive UI and effortless navigation. New features like snap layouts help you manage multiple tasks with ease.
  • Smarter collaboration. Have effective online meetings. Share content and mute/unmute right from the taskbar (1) Stay focused with intelligent noise cancelling and background blur.(2)
  • Reassuringly consistent. Have confidence that your applications will work. Familiar deployment and update tools. Accelerate adoption with expanded deployment policies.
  • Powerful security. Safeguard data and access anywhere with hardware-based isolation, encryption, and malware protection built in.

Buy the upgrade through Microsoft Store if you do not have a key

  1. In Settings > System > Activation, expand Upgrade your edition of Windows.
  2. Select Open Store, sign in with a Microsoft account, and follow the purchase steps.
  3. After the purchase is confirmed, follow Windows’ prompt to install Pro and restart.

Microsoft says the best way to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro is through Microsoft Store. A successful Store purchase provides a digital license associated with the Microsoft account used in the purchase confirmation email; Store does not provide a product key for this upgrade. See Microsoft’s Windows activation guidance for information about digital licenses.

If the upgrade or activation fails

Check the edition and license

Return to Settings > System > Activation and check which edition is installed and whether Windows is activated. Windows will not activate if the license does not match the installed edition. Microsoft’s activation guidance explains edition and license matching.

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Microsoft OEM System Builder | Windоws 11 Pro | Intended use for new systems | Authorized by Microsoft
  • STREAMLIMED AND INTUITIVE UI | Intelligent desktop | Personalize your experience for simpler efficiency | Powerful security built-in and enabled.
  • JOIN YOUR BUSINESS OR SCHOOL DOMAIN for easy access to network files, servers, and printers.
  • OEM IS TO BE INSTALLED ON A NEW PC WITH NO PRIOR VERSION of Windows installed and cannot be transferred to another machine.
  • OEM DOES NOT PROVIDE PRODUCT SUPPORT | To acquire product with Microsoft support, obtain the full packaged “Retail” version.

Use the troubleshooter for an existing Pro digital license

If you own a Windows 11 Pro digital license but Home is installed, use the Activation troubleshooter and choose Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro when that option is available. See Using the Windows Activation troubleshooter.

Look for a missing upgrade option

If Upgrade your edition of Windows does not appear in Activation, Microsoft says Windows may already be Pro or the edition upgrade may not be available.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

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Rank #3
Microsoft Windows 11 PRO (Ingles) FPP 64-BIT ENG INTL USB Flash Drive
  • MICROSOFT WINDOWS 11 PRO (INGLES) FPP 64-BIT ENG INTL USB FLASH DRIVE
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What Pro adds

Windows 11 Pro includes features that can matter for particular uses, including BitLocker Drive Encryption, Remote Desktop, and the ability to join a domain or Microsoft Entra ID. If you do not need those security, remote-access, or organizational networking capabilities, the upgrade may not be necessary.

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DEOY Market Compatible with Windows 11 Pro OEM Activation Key – 1 PC – Digital Delivery
  • DIGITAL OEM ACTIVATION KEY – Digital activation key compatible with Windows 11 Pro for one PC. This is an OEM-type license intended for activation on a compatible Windows PC.
  • FAST DIGITAL DELIVERY – Activation key and setup information are delivered electronically through Amazon Buyer-Seller Messaging after purchase. Maximum delivery time is 4 hours.
  • FOR WINDOWS 11 PRO – Designed for compatible PCs running or installing Windows 11 Pro. Internet access is required during the activation process.
  • OEM LICENSE FOR 1 PC – This OEM license is intended for a single computer and becomes associated with the device on which it is activated. It is not intended for transfer between multiple PCs.
  • CUSTOMER SUPPORT INCLUDED – DEOY Market provides assistance with activation and basic setup questions. Digital product only; no physical box, DVD, USB drive, or physical shipment is included.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.