Windows 10: How to upgrade from Windows 10 N to Windows 10

When I built my PC my buddy unfortunately created a Windows 10 Pro N USB stick, which has created massive issues for me over the years. Tons of games and apps won't work properly with it, unless you install the "Media Feature Pack".

However, Microsoft is extremely lazy with updating the Media Feature Pack, so if you update to a new Windows version before the pack is ready you're screwed (like if you install the Windows 10 May 2020 Update now for example).

Thankfully today I managed to find a solution through random forums and reddit comments.

Be aware that your Windows key/activation is likely only valid for your exact Windows N version, so you'll may need a new key/activation afterwards.

Here's how you fix it, without losing any apps, files or settings:

Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool (don't open it yet)

Open regedit

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

In EditionID and ProductName remove the N (and any trailing spaces)

Open the Creation Tool you just downloaded (MediaCreationTool1909.exe)

Here you can choose between upgrading right away or using a ISO/USB stick. I strongly recommend the USB stick method, as the other option may cause issues (it did for me). If you chose the ISO/USB option, make sure to chose to NOT install updates (the updates will come through the normal Windows Update process afterwards anyway).

Now it will start downloading Windows 10 (around ~10GB).

Be aware that Windows resets the registry settings you just changed frequently! I had issues with this. Go back to regedit often (at least every 5 min), navigate to a different key and back again to make sure the N's are still gone from the values. If not, change them as specified above.

In the final step, "Ready to install", make sure it says "Windows Home/Pro" and not "Windows Home/Pro N". If it does, close the Media Creation Tool and repeat the process from step 2

Press Install. After half an hour or so of reboots you'll be back to your Windows desktop, just with the proper Windows 10 (non-N) version.

I hope this can be of help to someone.

:)

 

Windows 10 upgrade problem, no input accepted

I really hate having to come here and ask for help, but I really am stumped. It hurts my geek pride. I have a PC with fairly modern hardware in it. It has a p8p67 pro in it. I have tried upgrading windows 10 on it twice now. Both times I have had the same result.

After windows finishes upgrading it goes to the log in/set up screen. I can't do anything. No keyboard or mouse input is accepted.

I will list some, or hopefully all, of the troubleshooting steps I have tried:

• Move keyboard and mouse to different USB ports.
• Try different keyboard or mouse.
• Restart computer, repeatedly.
• Google for related issues.
• Update Bios, because why not.
• Create boot media and revert to windows 7.

The windows 10 system restore boot media works fine with keyboard and mouse. All USB ports work in windows 7. I don't know what is wrong. I suspect that windows 10 is lacking a driver of some sort, but since the computer accepts no input I have no way of checking for which driver let alone installing it.

Please help me figure this out. If I have to revert back to windows 7 again, I am not going to get it upgraded to windows 10. Thank you in advanced.

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

Windows 10 upgrade problem, no input accepted

i've seen this when the stock USB drivers went kaput. Only ever seen it once - i used a PCI USB 2.0 card and connected the mouse and keyboard to that, and manually updated the USB 2/USB 3 drivers.