Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Upgrade Key
- Key delivered by email right after payment
- Download link and activation guide included
- Secure checkout · digital product, nothing shipped
Windows 10 Pro is the business edition of Windows 10. It has everything in Windows 10 Home, plus BitLocker drive encryption, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V virtual machines and the option to join a company domain. This upgrade key moves an activated Windows 10 Home installation on one PC to Pro, without reinstalling. You get the key by email after payment, with a download link and activation instructions.
- Upgrades 1 PC from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro
- Requires an existing, activated Windows 10 Home installation; no reinstall needed
- Supports all display languages; 32-bit and 64-bit versions
- Windows 10 support ended on 14 October 2025 (details below)
- Digital delivery: nothing is shipped
What does Windows 10 Pro add over Windows 10 Home?
Pro adds tools for security, remote work and IT management that Home doesn't have. If you only browse, stream and use Office, Home is usually enough. If you store client files, work remotely or run virtual machines, Pro is the edition built for that.
| Feature | Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| BitLocker drive encryption | No (device encryption only on some PCs) | Yes |
| Remote Desktop host (connect to this PC) | No | Yes |
| Hyper-V virtual machines | No | Yes |
| Windows Sandbox | No | Yes |
| Group Policy editor | No | Yes |
| Join a domain or Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) | No | Yes |
Why BitLocker matters on a laptop
BitLocker encrypts the whole drive, so a lost or stolen laptop doesn't hand over your files. Without the recovery key, the data can't be read even if the drive is taken out and put in another computer. Before you turn it on, save the recovery key to your Microsoft account or print it.
What do I need before using a Windows 10 Pro upgrade key?
You need a PC that already runs an activated copy of Windows 10 Home. The upgrade key changes the edition from Home to Pro in place, so your files, apps and settings stay where they are. It isn't meant for a blank PC or a fresh install.
| Your PC today | Can you use this upgrade key? |
|---|---|
| Activated Windows 10 Home | Yes: upgrade it to Pro in Settings |
| Windows 10 Home, not activated | Activate Home first, or choose a full Pro key |
| Already Windows 10 Pro | Not needed: Pro is already installed |
| New PC with no Windows installed | No: you need a full Windows 10 Pro key |
Not sure which edition you have? Press Windows + R, type winver and press Enter. The window shows your Windows edition and version.
Is Windows 10 still supported?
No. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 Home and Pro on 14 October 2025. Windows 10 still installs, activates and runs, but it no longer receives regular security updates, feature updates or technical help from Microsoft.
Microsoft runs an Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme for Windows 10, version 22H2. Home and Pro users can enrol through Windows Update and keep getting security updates until 12 October 2027, and organisations can buy ESU for up to three years after end of support. See Microsoft's Windows 10 end of support page for the current terms.
Windows 10 still makes sense for PCs that can't run Windows 11, or for software that only supports Windows 10. For any PC that meets the Windows 11 requirements, a Windows 11 key is the better long-term choice.
What are the system requirements for Windows 10 Pro?
Windows 10 Pro runs on almost any PC from the last decade. Microsoft's minimum is a 1 GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit, and 32 GB of storage. Unlike Windows 11, it doesn't require TPM 2.0 or a recent processor, which makes it practical for older hardware.
| Component | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster processor or SoC |
| Memory (RAM) | 1 GB (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit) |
| Storage | 32 GB or more |
| Graphics | DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver |
| Display | 800 × 600 |
| Internet | Needed for activation and updates |
See Microsoft's Windows 10 system requirements.
How do I activate Windows 10 Pro?
Make sure Windows 10 Home is installed and activated, then enter the upgrade key in Settings. Windows switches to Pro in place and restarts. You don't need to download or reinstall anything.
- Open Settings → Update & Security → Activation and check that Windows is activated.
- Select Change product key.
- Enter the 25-character key from your order email and select Next.
- Confirm the upgrade and let the PC restart. It usually takes a few minutes.
- Go back to Activation and check that it shows Windows 10 Pro and says Windows is activated.
A common issue we see is an upgrade key used on a PC where Home isn't activated yet, or on a fresh install with no Windows. Activate Home first: the upgrade key only works on top of it.
Frequently asked questions
Does upgrading to Pro keep my files and apps?
Yes. The upgrade changes the edition in place. Your files, installed apps and settings stay where they are, and you don't need to reinstall Windows. A backup before any system change is still a good habit.
Can I use the upgrade key on a new PC without Windows?
No. This key upgrades an existing, activated Windows 10 Home installation. For a PC with no Windows installed, or for a clean install, you need a full Windows 10 Pro key instead, which activates a fresh installation directly.
What if my Windows 10 Home isn't activated?
Activate Home first, using the key or digital licence that came with the PC. The upgrade key only works on top of an activated Home installation. If Home can't be activated, a full Pro key is the simpler option.
Will Windows 10 keep working after end of support?
Yes. Windows 10 keeps running and can still be activated with this key. What stops is regular security updates and support from Microsoft, so the PC becomes more exposed over time unless it is enrolled in Extended Security Updates.
Browse all Windows 10 keys, or get Windows and Office together in a Windows + Office bundle.
