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Windows 11 Upgrade: From Windows 11 Home to Pro

This guide shows how to upgrade Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro, then activate Windows 11 Pro using the product key you purchased.

Before you start

Save your work and close open programs.
If you’re on a laptop, plug it into power.
Have your Windows 11 Pro product key ready (you’ll enter it near the end).
You’ll temporarily disconnect from the internet, then reconnect for activation.

Step 1: Open Network Connections

Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.

This opens the Network Connections window where you can manage Wi-Fi/Ethernet adapters.

Step 2: Disconnect from the internet (disable adapters)

The Network Connections window in Windows 11 is open. The Wi-Fi adapter is right-clicked, displaying a menu with Disable highlighted. The desktop background is visible with the taskbar at the bottom.

In Network Connections, disable the internet adapters you use:

Right-click Wi-Fi → Disable
Right-click Ethernet → Disable (if present)
Bluetooth Network Connection → Disable (optional)

Goal: Your PC should be offline for the edition-switch step.

Step 3: Open Activation settings and start the upgrade

A Windows 11 Home activation settings window shows options to upgrade, including a highlighted “Change” button under “Change product key.” The background displays a blue abstract wallpaper and the taskbar at the bottom.

Open Settings → System → Activation.

Under Upgrade your edition of Windows, click Change next to Change product key.

Step 4: Enter the generic upgrade key

A Windows 11 Home activation screen shows a blue dialog box prompting for a product key. The key field is filled, and a red arrow points to the Next button. The desktop background is visible behind the window.

In the “Enter a product key” window, enter the following generic upgrade key:

Upgrade Key: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

Confirm the process by clicking Next.

Important: This key is used to kickstart the edition upgrade (Home → Pro). It does not activate Windows. You will activate later using your purchased key.

Step 5: Confirm the edition upgrade

A Windows 11 Home activation window is open. A blue dialog box prompts to upgrade the edition of Windows, with the Start button highlighted in red. The mouse cursor is pointing at the Start button.

You’ll see “Upgrade your edition of Windows”. Click Start.

Windows will begin upgrading to Windows 11 Pro and may restart during the process.

Step 6: Wait while Windows prepares the upgrade

A Windows 11 Home desktop displays a settings window with a blue popup reading Preparing for upgrade, 87% complete. The background shows the Windows 11 default wallpaper and taskbar at the bottom.

You’ll see “Preparing for upgrade” with a progress percentage.

Do not turn off your PC.

Step 7: Wait for “Adding features”

Black screen with a loading spinner above the text: Adding features. Youre 97% there. Please keep your computer on.

You may see a full-screen message like: “Adding features… Please keep your computer on.”

Just wait until it completes.

Step 8: Check Activation (expected: Not active while offline)

A Windows 11 Pro activation settings screen shows the device is not active, with a red error message. The Start menu and Run dialog with ms-settings:activation typed in are also visible on the bottom left.

After the upgrade finishes, open Activation again (or press Windows + R and run ms-settings:activation).

You should now see Windows 11 Pro.

If you see Not active with a red message, that’s normal at this moment because the internet is still disabled.

Step 9: Reconnect to the internet (enable adapters)

A Windows 11 desktop shows the Network Connections window. A context menu for Wi-Fi is open, with Enable highlighted. At the top, instructions show WIN+R → ncpa.cpl to access this screen.

Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.

Enable your connection again:

Right-click Wi-Fi → Enable (or)
Right-click Ethernet → Enable

You only need one working connection method.

Step 10: Enter your purchased Windows 11 Pro key

A Windows 11 desktop shows steps to change the product key: open Run (Win+R), type ms-settings:activation, click Change under product key, enter the new key in the prompt, and click Next.

Go back to Settings → System → Activation.

Under Change product key, click Change, paste your purchased Windows 11 Pro key, then click Next.

Step 11: Confirm activation

A Windows 11 Pro activation screen is open, showing a blue dialog box with Activate Windows and options to Activate or Cancel. The Activate button is highlighted. The desktop and settings window are visible behind.

If a popup appears saying Activate Windows, click Activate.

If no popup appears, Windows may activate automatically in the background—just check the Activation status on the page.

Step 12: Done (Activated)

A Windows 11 Pro activation screen shows “Windows is activated with a digital license.” A blue pop-up also states, “Windows is activated. We’ve activated this copy of Windows.”.

You’ll see:

Activation state: Active ✅
Windows is activated with a digital license
A confirmation message “Windows is activated” (click Close)

That’s it—your PC is now running Windows 11 Pro and is activated.

Quick troubleshooting

Still “Not active”? Restart your PC once and check Settings → System → Activation again.
Key not accepted? Double-check you pasted the key correctly (no extra spaces) and that it’s the correct edition (Windows 11 Pro).
Activation errors? Confirm you’re online (Wi-Fi/Ethernet enabled and working), then try again.