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×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
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×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
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03-13-2025 02:09 AM
Hello,
I have a HP Probook 450 that came pre-installed / activated with Windows 11 Pro. I now re-installed Windows 11, but it activates as Windows 11 Home. What to do to get this device installed back to Windows 11 Pro?
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Accepted Solutions
03-13-2025 05:49 AM
The computer has a Home key embedded in the firmware, so it will use that and will install Home automatically. Go into Settings and then at the activation screen hit change key and punch in your Pro key to upgrade without reinstalling.
Or with a reinstall, create an special ei.cfg file and place it on the Windows 11 installation flash drive, this will stop Windows from automatically using the embedded key. To do this, create a new text document with the following contents:
[EditionID] [Channel] Retail [VL] 0
Save it to the flash drive in the Sources folder.
03-13-2025 05:49 AM
The computer has a Home key embedded in the firmware, so it will use that and will install Home automatically. Go into Settings and then at the activation screen hit change key and punch in your Pro key to upgrade without reinstalling.
Or with a reinstall, create an special ei.cfg file and place it on the Windows 11 installation flash drive, this will stop Windows from automatically using the embedded key. To do this, create a new text document with the following contents:
[EditionID] [Channel] Retail [VL] 0
Save it to the flash drive in the Sources folder.