Can I install Windows 11 Pro from Windows 11 Home PC without a USB?

Question

My laptop comes with Windows 11 Home and now I want to use Windows 11 Pro because I need Windows Sandbox. The upgrade costs $110 so I don't intend to go that route. I don't mind the "Activate Windows" sticker so I intend to just install it without any license key.

Now the problem is, somehow I cannot find any USB drive for now. I know you could install it directly from ISO file but after detection, the Setup would only allow me to install Windows 11 Home (no option to choose another edition). I don't mind a Clean install.

Is there anyway I can install Windows 11 Pro from my Windows 11 Home?

You shouldn't need to install or reinstall, just apply a Windows 11 Pro licence key. — Mokubai, Nov 13 '22 at 17:11
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/upgrade-windows-home-to-windows-pro-ef34d520-e73f-3198-c525-d1a218cc2818 it should be as simple as going to Start > Settings > System > Activation and then select Change product key — Mokubai, Nov 13 '22 at 17:12
As for the reason you cannot choose any other edition, the installer is detecting your embedded key, you can avoid that by modifying the ISO to indicate it's a retail installation allowing you to choose any edition of Windows. I have given you everything you need to resolve this yourself, I am NOT going to submit an answer, since you indicated you will be running Windows without a license.. It also is essentially a duplicate of an exist question. — Ramhound, Nov 13 '22 at 17:12
@Mokubai thanks, I am aware I can upgrade using Product Key. Problem is, I won't be buying it so there is no product key, nor can I upgrade it from Windows Store. — Luke Vo, Nov 13 '22 at 17:15
You can use the Windows 11 Professional KMS license key to install and/or upgrade to Windows 11 Professional or use PID.txt to install Windows 11 Professional. — Ramhound, Nov 13 '22 at 17:16
@Ramhound I tried the KMS method but it didn't work (error trying to apply the key I got from that page). I used your PID method, it is showing up as installing Windows 11 Pro now! That's awesome — Luke Vo, Nov 13 '22 at 17:30
I am confused, the KMS method I suggested, can only be acomplished by using the PID.txt file. — Ramhound, Nov 13 '22 at 18:25
@Ramhound Ah... I tried running slmgr /ipk, thinking it would change my Windows to the pro version (even with invalid key). I edited the ISO file with that key and it works. Thanks :) — Luke Vo, Nov 13 '22 at 18:27
slmgr /ipk woulld have only worked, if you installed Windows with the KMS key, that would have activated your installation. Alternatively, if you changed your license to a legitimate Professional license key, your installation would have been upgrade to Professional. — Ramhound, Nov 13 '22 at 18:31

Can I install Windows 11 Pro from Windows 11 Home PC without a USB?

0 Answers0