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Change/Migrate key from Windows 11 Home to Pro

Ivar CP 0 Reputation points
2025-07-18T19:16:25.6933333+00:00

Hi, I bought a new ASUS TUF laptop with windows 11 Home and signed in to it with the same Microsoft account as my other PC, an ASUS ROG with windows 11 Pro. I purchased 8.1 Pro upgraded to 10 Pro and then to 11 Pro, all free. So, both versions are linked to the same account.
I plan to remove windows from ROG and install Linux on it. My question is, can I get my new PC to have Windows 11 Pro on it, if I deactivate it on my older PC? I researched a bit on Tech forums.
They said, "Deactivate the Pro version on the older laptop, then re-login on the new one, and then I will have the option to select a version."
I can do all those steps, one after the other. Can someone tell me when, and if not, how I can get/see the version selection prompt/option? Thanks

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation

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  1. EmilyS726 236.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-07-18T21:12:12.2866667+00:00

    Oops.. sorry.

    You have to do this first:

    You can go to Settings > System > Activation > Change product key

    Disconnect internet, and disable any third party antivirus, key in the generic key instead: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

    That should get you to Pro. Once restarted, you can connect back to the internet, sign into your Microsoft account. See if it is activated.

    Then go to Settings > System > Activation, run the troubleshooter, choose the hardware change option. When it asks you where it is installed on right now, you should choose the old device name. Then click on Activate button. And on the next screen when it asks you where to transfer it to, choose your new device name. See if that does the trick.

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  2. EmilyS726 236.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-07-18T19:52:56.96+00:00

    Hello,

    On your old computer, if you had upgraded from 8 to 10, then 11, your license is digital. For digital license, do NOT uninstall the license or remove the old device from your Microsoft account before you migrate it, because the activation troubleshooter needs to know where it is installed on first, so that it can then transfer it from the old device to the new.

    However, I do want to say this - I fear you may not be able to transfer it considering this was a Windows 8 key originally. Microsoft changed its policy in Sept 2023, and for key originated from Win7/8, that later transfered to Win 10 and then 11, changing hardware can be challenging.

    You can always try this but it is no longer a guarantee. Go to Settings > System > Activation, run the troubleshooter, choose the hardware change option. When it asks you where it is installed on right now, you should choose the old device name. Then click on Activate button. And on the next screen when it asks you where to transfer it to, choose your new device name. See if that does the trick.

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