This guide is for Windows 10 Pro. It covers upgrading Windows 10 Home to Pro in place, activating an existing Pro install, and a clean install from USB.
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. It installs and activates normally, but no longer receives free security updates. If your PC meets the Windows 11 requirements, consider the Windows 11 Pro guide instead.
Before you start
- Requirements: 1 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM for 64-bit (1 GB for 32-bit), 32 GB storage. No TPM or Secure Boot needed.
- Have your 25-character Windows 10 Pro key ready.
- Back up your files if you are doing a clean install.
Option A: Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro (no reinstall)
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
- Under Upgrade your edition of Windows, select Change product key.
- Enter your Windows 10 Pro key and select Next, then Start.
- Windows restarts and unlocks the Pro features. Settings > System > About then shows Windows 10 Pro.
Option B: Activate an existing Windows 10 Pro install
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
- Select Change product key, enter your key and select Activate.
Option C: Clean install from USB
- Open Microsoft's Windows 10 download page and download the Media Creation Tool.
- Run it, choose Create installation media for another PC, and select your language, Windows 10, and 64-bit (or 32-bit only for very old hardware).
- Choose USB flash drive and select an 8 GB or larger stick. It will be erased.
- Boot the target PC from the USB (boot menu key is usually F12, F11, F2, Esc or Del).
- At the product key screen, enter your Pro key so the installer installs Pro. If you skip it, choose Windows 10 Pro from the edition list.
- Choose Custom: Install Windows only, select the drive and complete setup. Windows 10 Pro allows a local account during setup via Domain join instead.
- Activate afterwards using Option B.
Setting up the Pro features
- BitLocker: Control Panel > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Turn on BitLocker.
- Remote Desktop: Settings > System > Remote Desktop > Enable.
- Hyper-V: Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off > tick Hyper-V (64-bit only).
Windows 10 Pro specific problems
Error 0xC004F050 or "key didn't work"
The installed edition is not Pro. Check Settings > System > About. If it says Home, use Option A. If it says Pro N, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise or Education, a standard Pro key will not activate it.
Error 0xC004C003
The activation server rejected the key. Stop retrying and contact support with a screenshot.
Upgrade from Home says "Unable to upgrade your edition"
Usually a pending Windows Update or restart. Install all updates, restart, then repeat Option A.
Need help?
Screenshot any error and contact support with your order number. Your purchase is covered by our 6-month licence warranty.