Microsoft recently released a free Windows 10 Pro product key. Confused as to what it does and how you can take advantage of it? Then this post is for you.
If you’re running version 1511 of Windows 10 HomeAn Insider Review of the Windows 10 Fall UpdateAn Insider Review of the Windows 10 Fall UpdateThe Windows 10 Fall Update contains many minor improvements, a few feature updates, and a bunch of new settings. We show you what to expect and which default settings you might want to adjust.Read More on a PC, the freely available product key (VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T) allows you to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. It does not give you a free upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. It just unlocks the Pro edition and initiates the system upgrade from Home to Pro.
You’ll still need to activate the Pro edition by purchasing a license from the Windows storeThe Ultimate Windows 10 Activation & License FAQThe Ultimate Windows 10 Activation & License FAQOne of the big confusions surrounding Windows 10 concerns its licensing and activation. This FAQ will shed some light, explain what has changed with Windows 10 version 1511 (Fall Update), and translate activation-related error codes.Read More. Until you do this, you’ll face some limitations like unavailable features, grayed out settings, and watermarks.
Just clean #installed#Windows 10 Pro 1511 on my #Acer laptop. It was a messy #upgrade path (#Vista Business -> 7 Pro -> 10 Pro) originally
— Liam (@LiamBramwell) December 29, 2015
The good news is that if you have a product key for the Pro edition of previous Windows versions, say Windows 7 or Windows 8, that same key can also take you from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro. In this case, the upgrade is free and saves you about a hundred dollars.
Note that you’ll need to have the November Update (version 1511) of Windows 10 Home installed for the public product key to work. And here’s where you can change the key: Settings > Update & security > Activation > Change product key.
The Windows 10 Pro edition gives you extra features like Bitlocker Drive Encryption and finer control over Windows Update. Don’t be discouraged if the upgrade takes quite a bit of time. That’s to be expected.
Upgrade to Windows 10 Pro, version 1511, 10586
It does take an absolute age@aktovate1 Still running on my laptop
— Andrew (@akkw1803) December 1, 2015
Have you used the free product key released by Microsoft? Did it work for you? Tell us in the comments.
Image Credit: tanuha2001 / Shutterstock.com
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As promised yesterday during the media event, Microsoft has made available for download the Technical Preview build of its upcoming Windows 10 operating system. Even though the Preview is intended for enthusiasts and IT Pros, anyone can install and experience the preview build for free.
To download the ISO copy of Windows 10, which is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavours, one needs to head over the Windows Insider Program page and join the Insider Program. After downloading the ISO image copy of Windows 10, you can either install and test it in a virtual machine such as VirtualBox or install Windows 10 on your PC from USB drive.
Windows 10 Activation Key Free
Whether you want to install Windows 10 Preview on a virtual machine or on a spare PC, you need the product key to complete the installation. Those of you have downloaded Windows 10 ISO image after joining the Insider Program, probably have noticed the product key on the download page.
If you didn’t notice the product key while downloading the ISO image or if you have downloaded the ISO image directly without joining the insider program, you can use the below mentioned product key to install Windows 10 on your PC.
Product key to install Windows 10
When you’re asked to enter a product key, please enter one of the following keys depending on the edition of Windows 10 you’re installing or activating.
Windows 10 Home: TX9XD-98N7V-6WMQ6-BX7FG-H8Q99
Windows 10 Pro: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
Windows 10 Enterprise: NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43
These product keys can be used to activate all preview builds of Windows 10 that are officially released by Microsoft, which also means that the key might not work on leaked Windows 10 builds!
Note that the above mentioned Windows 10 product keys work irrespective of the architecture of Windows 10, meaning they support both 32-bit and 64-bit. Just make sure that you’ve typed the 25-character correctly, without any mistakes. Note that all these Windows 10 product keys are offered by Microsoft.
Windows 10 requires activation to verify you're running a genuine copy; a unique product key is used to ensure the a single licensed copy of Windows isn't being used on more than are allowed.
Occasionally, you may have to change the product key. If you're getting Windows 10 for the first time and a product key wasn't provided during the installation, or a generic key was used to upgrade, you'll need a new valid product key to activate the operating system.
In this Windows 10 guide, you'll learn five ways to bring up the Windows activation tool to change the product key on your computer.
How to change Windows 10's product key using Settings
If the activation process completes successfully, you'll get the 'Windows is activated' message.
How to change Windows 10's product key using Control Panel
Similar to the Settings app, if the activation process completes successfully, you'll get the 'Windows is activated' message.
How to change Windows 10's product key using Command Prompt
If you typed the product key correctly and the process completes successfully, you'll see a dialog box reading 'Installed product key YOURP-RODUC-TKEYX-XXXXX-XXXXX successfully.' Hitachi split ac remote control model number.
How to change Windows 10's product key using SLUI 3
If the activation process completes successfully, you'll get the 'Windows is activated' message.
How to change Windows 10's product key using CHANGEPK
If the activation process completes successfully, you'll get the 'Windows is activated' message.
Alternatively, you can use change the product key using changepk.exe using the Command Prompt as well. Here's how:
Wrapping things up
While for the most part, you'll be using the Settings app to change the product key on Windows 10, if the option isn't available or if you're looking to create a script to change the product key on your computer, it's good to have different alternatives.
If you're trying to upgrade the operating system by purchasing a new license from the Windows Store, everything regarding the product key will be handled automatically for you.
Also, remember that you must be signed in with an administrator account to change your system's product key, and you'll need an internet connection to complete the activation.
In the case, you recently made significant hardware changes to your PC, and Windows 10 won't activate, you can use the Activation Troubleshooter to re-activate your copy of Windows 10.
Although this guide is specific to Windows 10, the Control Panel, slui.exe, and slmgr.vbs methods that we're showing you here will work to change the product key on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.
More Windows 10 resources
For more help articles, coverage, and answers on Windows 10, you can visit the following resources:
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Applies to: Windows Server 2019, Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel, Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
Computers that are running volume licensed editions of Windows Server, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008 are, by default, KMS clients with no additional configuration needed.
Note
In the tables that follow, 'LTSC' stands for 'Long-Term Servicing Channel,' while 'LTSB' refers to the 'Long-Term Servicing Branch.'
To use the keys listed here (which are GVLKs), you must first have a KMS hostrunning in your deployment. If you haven’t already configured a KMS host, seeDeploy KMS Activation for steps to set one up.
If you are converting a computer from a KMS host, MAK, or retail edition ofWindows to a KMS client, install the applicable setup key (GVLK) from thefollowing tables. To install a client setup key, open an administrative commandprompt on the client, type slmgr /ipk <setup key> and then press Enter.
If you are running Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7, be on the lookoutfor an update to support using those as KMS hosts for Windows 10 clients.
Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel versionsWindows Server, version 1903 and Windows Server, version 1809
Windows Server, version 1803
Windows Server, version 1709
Windows Server LTSC/LTSB versionsWindows Server 2019
Windows Server 2016
Windows 10, all supported Semi-Annual Channel versions
See the Windows lifecycle fact sheet for information about supported versions and end of service dates.
Windows 10 LTSC/LTSB versionsWindows 10 LTSC 2019
Windows 10 LTSB 2016
Windows 10 LTSB 2015
Earlier versions of Windows ServerWindows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008
Earlier versions of WindowsWindows 8.1
Windows 8
![]() Windows 7
See also
• Plan for Volume Activation
Windows 10 requires activation to verify you're running a genuine copy; a unique product key is used to ensure the a single licensed copy of Windows isn't being used on more than are allowed.
Occasionally, you may have to change the product key. If you're getting Windows 10 for the first time and a product key wasn't provided during the installation, or a generic key was used to upgrade, you'll need a new valid product key to activate the operating system.
In this Windows 10 guide, you'll learn five ways to bring up the Windows activation tool to change the product key on your computer.
How to change Windows 10's product key using Settings
If the activation process completes successfully, you'll get the 'Windows is activated' message.
How to change Windows 10's product key using Control Panel
Similar to the Settings app, if the activation process completes successfully, you'll get the 'Windows is activated' message.
How to change Windows 10's product key using Command Prompt
If you typed the product key correctly and the process completes successfully, you'll see a dialog box reading 'Installed product key YOURP-RODUC-TKEYX-XXXXX-XXXXX successfully.'
How to change Windows 10's product key using SLUI 3
If the activation process completes successfully, you'll get the 'Windows is activated' message.
How to change Windows 10's product key using CHANGEPK
If the activation process completes successfully, you'll get the 'Windows is activated' message.
Alternatively, you can use change the product key using changepk.exe using the Command Prompt as well. Here's how:
Wrapping things up
While for the most part, you'll be using the Settings app to change the product key on Windows 10, if the option isn't available or if you're looking to create a script to change the product key on your computer, it's good to have different alternatives.
If you're trying to upgrade the operating system by purchasing a new license from the Windows Store, everything regarding the product key will be handled automatically for you. Resident evil 2 special soundtrack.
Also, remember that you must be signed in with an administrator account to change your system's product key, and you'll need an internet connection to complete the activation.
In the case, you recently made significant hardware changes to your PC, and Windows 10 won't activate, you can use the Activation Troubleshooter to re-activate your copy of Windows 10.
Although this guide is specific to Windows 10, the Control Panel, slui.exe, and slmgr.vbs methods that we're showing you here will work to change the product key on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.
More Windows 10 resources
For more help articles, coverage, and answers on Windows 10, you can visit the following resources:
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