Downgrading from Unactivated Windows 10 Enterprise to OEM Windows 10 Home

[panda_ali-1101]

Hello!

I recently tried to transfer a Windows 10 Professional product key to my current computer, as I am no longer going to use the old computer. I extracted the product key from the old computer using a product key extractor tool, deactivated it on the old machine using slmgr, and then copied and pasted that product key into my current computer using the "Change product key" feature under Activation in the Windows Settings app. After copying the key and pressing enter, everything seemed to be fine until a day later, when a message popped up saying Windows was inactivated. After clicking "Troubleshoot," the problem was resolved, and it was activated. However, the message popped up again yesterday, and this time, clicking "Troubleshoot" gave me the following screen:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GcfPF9xvO0s8eumLmeVsUgihktj_FlVX/view?usp=sharing

This happened even though I am connected to the internet (checked by accessing Google, even Windows Update still can install new updates).

Additionally, and even weirder, the product key that shows under Activation is not the product key I originally copied over. On top of that, it looks like the current product key is an OEM key (from the product ID). Even even weirder, it is showing that I have Windows 10 Enterprise instead of Professional.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f8ENKzw9s-02KLWQOl7dN77TRDp5lRqU/view?usp=sharing

My laptop came preinstalled with Windows 10 Home, and I have verified that there is still a product key embedded in the BIOS. However, an attempt to directly enter that product key into "Change product key" yields the following error:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T1nYT2PAvPEpzanbwD_6zA_e_nUQ_U7X/view?usp=sharing

It is also important to mention that I am not entirely sure if the product key on my old computer for Windows 10 Professional is an OEM key or a retail key.

Further, any attempts to use Windows 10's built-in "Reset this PC" tool bring me right back to the same inactivated copy of Windows 10 Enterprise. I assume this is because "Reset this PC" downloads a fresh copy of your current OS, which in my case is Enterprise (even though I would instead like Home).

According to the Support page for my laptop, I can use the HP Cloud Recovery Tool. To my understanding, this will do a full factory reset of my laptop, restoring Windows 10 Home that will be activated by the OEM key embedded in the BIOS. Is this true? Would greatly appreciate any input!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

If the PC was made in 2016 or later, use the HP cloud recovery tool to reinstall W10 home.

Here is an info link for how to use the utility.

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool (Windows 10, 7) | HP® Customer Support

Then if you want to upgrade to W10 Pro, use one of the two methods below as applicable, to do so.

1.  Upgrade using your digital license for Windows 10 Pro

To upgrade, select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Update & Security  > Activation .

Open Activation settings

• If you have a digital license for Windows 10 Pro, and Windows 10 Home is currently activated on your device, you'll see one of two messages when you select Go to Microsoft Store:

  • If you see Install, select the button to install Windows 10 Pro.

  • If you see Buy, you may need to purchase a Windows 10 Pro license. Or, try to sign in to Microsoft Store with the Microsoft account that was used to purchase the Pro license. Then, follow the instructions to install Windows 10.

• If you have a digital license for Windows 10 Pro, but Windows 10 Home isn't activated on your device, select Troubleshoot and then follow the instructions to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.

2.  Upgrade using a Windows 10 Pro product key

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Update & Security  > Activation .

2. Select Change product key, and then enter the 25-character Windows 10 Pro product key.

3. Select Next to start the upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.

[panda_ali-1101]

Thank you, it worked!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.