Reverting Windows 11 Home to Pro on HP ProBook 450: A Guide

If you’re looking to upgrade your Windows 11 installation and need to use your Pro key, you’re in the right place. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to do it, whether you want to upgrade without reinstalling or through a fresh installation.

To upgrade to Windows 11 Pro without reinstalling, follow these steps:

1. Access Settings: Click on the Start menu and then select the gear icon to open the Settings.

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2. Go to Activation: Find the "Update & Security" option in the menu and click on it. From there, select "Activation" on the left sidebar.

3. Change Product Key: On the activation page, look for the option that says "Change product key." Click on it.

4. Enter Your Pro Key: Input your Windows 11 Pro product key. The system will automatically handle the upgrade for you, using the embedded Home key to facilitate the process.

If you prefer to do a clean installation instead, you’ll need to create a specific file during the installation process. Here’s how:

1. Prepare Your Installation Drive: Start by creating a bootable Windows 11 USB drive using the appropriate tools.

2. Create the ei.cfg File: Open a simple text editor like Notepad. In the new document, type the following lines:

   [EditionID]
   Pro
   
   [Channel]
   Retail
   
   [VL]
   0

3. Save the File: Name this document ei.cfg and save it.

4. Place the File in the Right Spot: Move the ei.cfg file to the Sources folder on your USB drive that you created for Windows 11.

5. Install Windows 11: Now, boot your computer from the USB drive and start the installation. This will prevent Windows from automatically using the embedded key and allow you to enter your Pro key during setup.

By following these steps, you can upgrade your Windows 11 Home to Pro easily, either by entering your key directly or by doing a clean installation. Happy upgrading!