Obtain original windows license key and upgrade Home to Pro

[GeoffF1]

Hi, I'm trying to upgrade from Win 11 home to pro. I found online advice to enter a generic license key for pro then activate it. But it's charging approx $200 for a fresh license instead of approx $100 for an upgrade. I think I should revert to my original license key then go through the store to upgrade - but how do I find my original license key? I've put in a support request a week ago but had no response. Any advice? Thanks!

Note: I have tried checking the key stored in BIOS using 'wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey', which does return a license key. But if I go to 'change license key' and enter this number, it says 'The product key that you entered didn't work. Check the product key and try again, or enter a different one. (0x004f050)'

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Install and run the free Showkey Plus app from the Microsoft Store.

ShowKeyPlus - Microsoft Store Apps

That should show you the W10/W11 OEM key in the BIOS.

[GeoffF2]

Hi, yes I did that and tried to put the key it displays into the 'change key' prompt but it says it is invalid! Have ended up completely reinstalling windows from USB drive then entering the original key... what a pain!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes, I bet it was.

Hopefully you can get W11 Pro at the correct price.

Some folks have upgraded from Home to Pro for free.

I don't know if that would work on W11 though.  Probably would.

How to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro for free | ZDNET