Windows 10: Unable to Activate Following Win10 Home->Pro Upgrade

I needed the extra functionality of Win10 Pro, so I went into Settings -> Updates & Security -> Activation and followed the upgrade steps. The Microsoft Store successfully charged my credit card for the update as expected. It installed, and I now have the extra features... but it complains that I need to Activate Windows with a watermark in the lower-right corner of the desktop.


I went into Settings again and tried the activation troubleshooter, it lists error code 0xC004C003 -- which seems to mean that I have the wrong key? But, I wasn't given any key in my upgrade, it should be digital activation!


I tried the toll free number **** but it simply tells me it can't help me, that I need to buy the "right key". I'm not sure how to speak to a human, all I get are automated prompts, and they always end up with it saying I need a new key and hanging up. That's frustrting because I just bought a key in Microsoft's own wizard, and surely it charged me for the 'Pro' key that I selected! I don't see any reason why I should have to pay for it twice... I didn't try to install it anywhere else. I just want what I paid for!


I'm really not sure what else to do. I guess I could request a refund -- but I'd much prefer to get the activation I paid for.

:)

 

Can't upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro

Hi Bill,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community. We apologize for the inconvenience caused and will assist you in the best possible ways.

I suggest you to download and create an installation media for Windows 10 Pro form the link provided below:

Download Windows 10

After the installation media is created, suggest you to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro from the installation media. When the upgrade asks for product key, enter the product key purchased for Windows 10 Pro. If it does not accept, suggest you to skip the activation
step. After the Operating System is installed, suggest you to activate by phone by following the steps below:

• Press “Windows key + R” and type “slui 4” and press Enter.
• Select the Region from the list and click Next.
• Call the Toll-Free number provided on top and can activate via phone.

Hope this helps. Keep us posted on the status for further assistance.

 

Upgrade from win10 Home to Pro

thanks for the reply. This section is in the same article that I followed However this particular section doesnt apply as I have Win 10 Home loaded not Win 7 or Win 8.

The article said

Follow these steps to upgrade from Windows 10 Home if you have a Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Professional,Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Pro Pack, Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 8.1 Pro
Pack product key:

• 
  Select the Start
  
  button, then select Settings > Update & security > Activation.
  
• 
  Select Change product key, and then enter this 25-character default product key:
  
  <PII removed>
  
  Important
  • 
    This default product key will upgrade your device to Windows 10 Pro, but won't activate it.
    
• 
  Select Next to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.
  
• 
  After your device is upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, you'll need to activate Windows. Select the Start
  
  button, then select Settings > Update
  & security > Activation.
  
• 
  Select Change product key, and then enter your 25-character Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Professional,Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Pro Pack, Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 8.1 Pro
  Pack product key.
  
• 
  Select Next to activate Windows 10 Pro.
  

This is what I followed but it completed point 3 but failed to move me to point 4

 

Win10 Pro

Hi, I bought a Win10 upgrade license on my old laptop. At the time I had a lot of issues upgrading the OEM Win10 Home as the upgrade purchase didn;t come with a product key. After lots of phone calls with MS they eventually provided me with a product key
and the laptop was upgraded to Win10 Pro.

I now have a new laptop and still require the Pro functionality. Following the steps here (which also tells me my Win10 Pro upgrade license is transferrable):

How to Transfer your Windows 10 License to a New Computer

the OEMM Win10 Home didn't upgrade using the MediaCreationTool (it just offers to install Win10 Home), and the System > Upgrade and Settings > Activation upgrade function doesn't accept the product key I've purchased.

Any help would be appreciated - although useful Win10 is awful to upgrade and MS seem to have deprecatated a lot of their contact options.