Unable to install Windows 11 Professional.

[AA-5CD343450M]

Windows 11 Home Edition pre-installed, and product key embedded in BIOS. This is preventing upgrade/ install of Windows 11 Professional Edition.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

That is correct.

There is only one way to upgrade from W11 Home to W11 Pro and you can see the info at the link below for how to do it.

Upgrade Windows Home to Windows Pro - Microsoft Support

[AA-5CD343450M]

I wrote in my problem statement that the Windows Home product key embedded in BIOS was preventing "upgrade/ install" to Windows Pro. Let me confirm here that I followed the upgrading steps on the Microsoft website to the letter, and the pre-installed Windows Home refused to upgrade.

In case anyone is wondering, I purchased Windows 11 Pro as a physical installation media (DVD) from an established outlet of computer goods, the media was sealed in the enclosure used by Microsoft, and part of the the product key was obscured with a "scratch-and-remove" film to prevent unauthorized use. I entered the product key into "ShowKeyPlus" and received conformation that it was genuine.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I have personally upgraded my HP notebook from Home to Pro using the instructions I posted.

The notebook has a Windows Home product key in the BIOS.

I had a Windows Pro product key, so I followed the second method in the link I posted.

It worked just fine.

If you have a Windows 11 Pro product key

1. Select Start > Settings > System > Activation.

2. Select Change product key, and then enter the 25-character Windows 11 Pro product key.

3. Select Next to start the upgrade to Windows 11 Pro.

If that didn't work for you, then I recommend you contact Microsoft for further assistance.

Contact Us - Microsoft Support