Upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro

psdillon on 23/06/2016 - 12:16

I'm looking for the cheapest way to upgrade a computer with Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro. The built-in Anytime Upgrade offers it for $150. Moonbox Software has it outright (not upgrade) for $75: https://moonboxsoftware.com.au/collections/frontpage/product…

Is there any cheaper way? I don't want to buy one of those cheap Win7 keys from ebay - they are almost always fake.

(The reason I want to upgrade is that I've bought a budget $239 netbook to use as a server, but want to connect to it using Remote Desktop).

Computing

Comments

  • ssx on 23/06/2016 - 12:31
    +1

    Do you have to upgrade from Win 10?

    You can buy a cheap 8.1 Pro serial from Moonbox (Moonbox are dodgy - all their keys are already activated) and then upgrade to Win 10 Pro.
    Cost would be $59.90

    • psdillon on 23/06/2016 - 12:41

      Thanks for the warning about Moonbox. I guess that means I'd have to waste time on the phone with Microsoft. I'll give them a miss.

      I'm too lazy to install Windows 7/8.1 to get the upgrade. I guess cheap and lazy aren't compatible.

  • scrimshaw on 23/06/2016 - 12:31
    +1

    Just use TightVNC or Real VNC server. Don't have to pay anything?

    Otherwise try Kinguin or Microsoft Software Swap subreddit.

    • psdillon on 23/06/2016 - 12:45

      Thanks, that subreddit group looks OK, I can see Win10 Pro for $45.

      I use UltraVNC currently and it's fiddly and slow connecting back through ADSL+ (effectively 100KB/s).

      • scrimshaw on 23/06/2016 - 12:50
        +2

        Buy Win 7 pro and save money. You can use the key to activate windows 10, as long as you download the latest build (1511).

        Make sure you have build 1511!

        • psdillon on 23/06/2016 - 13:00

          Thanks a lot, it's installing 1511 right now. The laptop came with already activated Windows 10 Home, would the Win7 Pro key work in the Anytime Upgrade thing?

        • scrimshaw on 23/06/2016 - 13:10
          +1

          @psdillon:

          When you finish installing a fresh copy of Windows 10 Pro Build 1511 it may fail to activate using the Netbook's built in embedded license.

          So you need to enter your Windows 7 license key. to do this, you can use the changepk.exe program.

          press Windows + R

          Run this command
          changepk.exe

          enter key

          super easy

        • psdillon on 23/06/2016 - 13:12

          @scrimshaw: Muchas gracias!

  • winmye on 23/06/2016 - 13:08

    If you have a COA Win7 Pro key just download the latest window 10 iso from Microsoft and install using the win7 pro key. I did that for a few of my work computers and they all okay.

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10

  • ode1online on 23/06/2016 - 13:29

    Have you tried Google Chrome Remote desktop ?

    http://pcsupport.about.com/od/remote-access/fl/chrome-remote…

    I used it a few months ago with helping a mate, it worked ok at the time

  • gummibear on 23/06/2016 - 16:12

    Teamviewer is free and you can connect from multiple platforms. There's even a chrome extension (which I have never tested)

  • Colombian on 23/06/2016 - 16:27

    You can use a copy of Win 7 PRO which come with DELL computers. No need to activate and upgrade to Win 10 PRO for free.

    • Brainwhacker on 24/06/2016 - 10:14

      HI OP, can this be done with Dell computers only or the key can be used with other computers

      • Colombian on 24/06/2016 - 10:17

        I have done that many times with all kind of computers: Branded or assembled by myself. I remember that there was an issue in old computers that needed to have their bios updated in order to have Win 7 activated, otherwise it would ask for activation and would not succeed.

        • Brainwhacker on 25/06/2016 - 08:57

          Thanks Colombian, I have a Dell Optilex, will update Bios and try it

        • Brainwhacker on 28/06/2016 - 09:14
          +1

          Thanks OP I managed to find out that its needs a SLIC Bios flash to recognise the OEM installation, trying it out tonight.

        • Colombian on 28/06/2016 - 10:23

          @Brainwhacker: Good Luck with that, hope that there is an update SLIC bios for your PC.

  • mranderson978 on 23/06/2016 - 18:39

    Obviously it's possible to remote desktop into a Netbook as others have pointed out above.

    If you really want windows 10, the site you linked to has Windows 7 for $52.90
    Buy it and claim your free upgrade.

  • lainey13 on 24/06/2016 - 09:37

    If you or a friend has a msdn subscription you can get a key for win 10 pro or for pro 1511 for free…

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join