In the Windows 11 beta , now available as a free download, required an internet connection in order to complete the installation. The device we used for testing was previously running Windows 10 Home, but the Pro version is expected to offer offline installation.

After installing the May feature update, Windows 10 Home users were officially required to sign in to a Microsoft account to set up their PC. After the upgrade was complete, I used a bootable USB flash drive containing Windows 10 setup files to reinstall a clean copy of Windows 10 Pro, skipping the option to enter a product key as part of setup, as shown below.

When prompted, be sure to choose Windows 10 Pro as the edition to install. The system was properly activated, because Microsoft’s servers recognized the hardware and used the digital license. Looking for technical information about Windows 10 releases, new features, known issues, troubleshooting, and tech support?

Start here. The one gotcha in this series of scenarios comes when you have a system that includes digital licenses for both Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro. In that scenario, you can inadvertently restore Windows 10 Home. This happened recently when I used a recovery image to reinstall Windows 10 on a Surface Pro PC that had originally shipped with Windows 10 Home and had been upgraded to Windows 10 Pro. Not surprisingly, using the recovery image gave me an installation of Windows 10 Home.

If that happens to you, don’t bother searching for the product key you used to upgrade. Instead, use Microsoft’s generic product key to force the upgrade. Next, enter the default Windows 10 Pro product key:.

Follow the prompts to upgrade from Home to Pro. Because your hardware already has a digital license for the Pro edition, it will activate automatically. That generic product key isn’t magical, of course. If your hardware doesn’t already have a Pro license, you’ll get an activation error and you’ll need to supply a proper product key or pay for an upgrade.

This article has been completely rewritten to incorporate developments in recent feature updates to Windows Alison was previously an editor at TechRepublic. Windows 11 began rolling out in October and brings a new, more streamlined design and updated features , including support for Android apps , easy toggling between multiple virtual desktops and better multitasking.

Microsoft included a few Mac-like features and the ability to run Android apps on Windows But there are a few catches to downloading the new operating system. For starters, Microsoft is using a phased rollout for Windows And before you download, you’ll need a Wi-Fi connection and a Windows 11 Home account.

However, Windows 10 users can upgrade for free here’s how to get Windows 10 first so you can download Windows But if you’re setting up a Windows 11 Home account — which most people using it on a personal device will be — there are a few extra steps you’ll have to take before accessing the new features.

Read more : Windows 11 review: Familiar but fresh. We’ll break down everything you need to know before downloading Windows 11, including how to check if your computer is compatible to make sure you meet the new requirements. Clear instructions. Easy to follow. No jargon. Pictures helped. Didn’t match my screen. Incorrect instructions. Too technical. Not enough information.

Not enough pictures. Any additional feedback?

Windows 10 home to pro upgrade without microsoft account free download

 
You can use this page to download a disc image (ISO file) that can be Windows 10 editions below are valid for both Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro. Learn how to upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro to access more advanced security and networking features.

How to Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro?

 
You can use this page to download a disc image (ISO file) that can be Windows 10 editions below are valid for both Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro. Learn how to upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro to access more advanced security and networking features.