How To Change Your Windows Product Key and Upgrade to Professional Edition

The Problem: Home Edition Just Isn’t Enough

You’re excited to use your new computer for school or work, but then you hit a roadblock—your device is running Windows Home Edition. For many academic or professional software tools, this edition doesn’t offer necessary features like Remote Desktop, BitLocker, or Group Policy Editor. That’s when upgrading to Windows Professional becomes essential.

1. Use the Settings App to Change the Product Key

This is the most straightforward way to upgrade:

1. Click the Start menu on the bottom left.
2. Select Settings (gear icon).
3. In the sidebar, click System.
4. On the right, scroll and click Activation.
5. You’ll see an option called Change product key — click it.
6. Enter your new product key (for the Professional edition).
7. Click Next, and follow the prompts to complete the upgrade.

This method is great for users who prefer a graphical interface with minimal complexity.

2. Launch the Product Key Window via Command Prompt

If you prefer using command-line tools, you can trigger the same product key window using a simple command:

1. Press `Win + S` and type cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Type the command below and hit Enter:

   changepk

    
4. The same activation window from the Settings app will appear.
5. Click Change and enter your new product key.

This is a faster way to reach the key input screen without going through the full settings menu.

3. Use slmgr to Apply the Product Key Directly

For advanced users or those automating deployments, this method is the most direct:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Enter this command (replace the Xs with your actual key):

   slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

    

3. Hit Enter to execute. Windows will apply the new license key.

This method is particularly useful for IT professionals or when remote access is needed.

4. Summary: Unlock New Features With the Right Tool

Whether you’re a student needing advanced tools or a professional looking to enable enterprise features, upgrading from Home to Pro is a smart move. Choose the method that best suits your comfort level—GUI, command window, or direct command line—and enjoy your newly unlocked capabilities in Windows Professional Edition.

5. Demo Video

You can watch the following demo video by select the subtitle to your preferred subtitle language.