Windows 10: Reactivate W10 Pro Purchased as an upgrade

I purchased a new Dell laptop in June 2019. It came with Windows 10 Home, and I purchased a Pro license through the Windows Store on June 16, 2019. Then, my laptop crapped out last month and I had to return it to Dell. Dell didn't have the replacement part and sent me a different laptop - along with the drive from my original laptop. I used Showkey Plus to retrieve the W10 Pro license key from that drive. So I have the W10 Pro product key that I purchased three months ago.


If Windows 10 activation is tied to the hardware, and my hardware has changed, how to I recoup my $99.00 expense on this laptop?


Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

:)

 

why there is just one way to upgrade from W10 Home to W10 Pro?

You can purchase a full license key, but keep in mind, the full retail license for Windows 10 Pro is more expensive than the $99 upgrade through the Store.

Step 1: Purchase license for Windows 10 Pro, then receive your key:

Buy Windows 10 Home/Pro

Step 2: Perform an Easy Upgrade using the key:

• How
  to Perform an Easy Upgrade in Windows 10

 

Attempt to upgrade from W10 Home to W10 Pro failure


For reference:
Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro | Windows 10 Tutorials

You say you went to the Store to enter a license- that doesn't sound right - see the tutorial above, step 4.

What is your Windows build? Windows key + R, winver.

If 1809, that might explain problems with this..

 

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.