Windows 10: Upgrade 8.1 to 10 Pro 64-bit

I have a new Dell laptop. It now shows the OS is 8.1 but last week it showed 8.1 Pro 64-bit and even displayed the Build number (I swear). In my attempt to upgrade to 10 Pro perhaps it reverted to 8.1 I have to assume the Home edition although I don't know how that could have happened.....
So my question is, if it now has 8.1 Home, will I be able to upgrade to 10 Pro 64-bit? That's what I want and that's why I paid an extra $99 to Dell to get the Pro edition of 8.1 in the first place.
I appreciate any advice. Thanks.

:)

 

Tried twice to update from Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit to Windows 10 Pro 64 bit, only I get Windows 10 Pro 32 Bit

Original Title: 64 Bit Upgrade and NOT 32 Bit!

I tried twice to update from Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit to Windows 10 Pro 64 bit, only I get Windows 10 Pro 32 Bit! Can't the upgrade process know that my version of Windows 8.1 Pro is 64 Bit and upgrade it to that? I can't use 32 Bit Windows 10 Pro!

 

Best way from 8.1 32-bit to 10 64-bit - price is an issue

It is explained elsewhere that there is no easy route from Windows 8.1 (Pro) 32-bit to Windows 10 (Pro) 64-bit, BUT...

... there are three obvious possibilities:

1. "Simply" install Windows 10 Pro 64 bit from an ISO image.

2. Upgrade free to Windows 10 Pro 32-bit first, and then install Windows 10 Pro 64-bit from an ISO image.

3. Install Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit from an ISO image first, and then upgrade free to Windows 10 Pro 64-bit.

Are these three routes valid?

Which is best?

Which is cheapest?

Thanks.

 

Run showkey from this forum and it will tell you what you have product keys for. That's a start:
Showkey - Windows 10 Forums

 

That's a nice tool, NavyLCDR. Thanks
It does show product Name: Windows 8.1 OEM edition: Win 8.1 RTM Core OEM

So at this point, should I call Dell Support or can I actually upgrade to 10 Pro 64-bit myself?
Thanks, John

 

Going to have to see if that key will upgrade you to 8.1 Pro 64-bit first, otherwise Dell pulled a fast one on you.

 

Yes, you need to get a Windows 8.1 pro key from Dell if that is what you paid for. Somewhere in Windows 8.1 (I can't remember where) is an option to enter the product key and it will download and install the upgrade to Pro.

 

I **think** you get the opportunity to enter a key from within the add features dialog if I remember correctly. It asks something like 'do you want to buy a key' or 'would you like to enter a key you already have'. Though I could be wrong...

 

Thanks again NavyLCDR and WhyMe. I called Dell and was able to get an 8.1 Pro product key.
Just to document the steps that may help others:
- At Start screen, I entered "Add features to Windows 8.1"
- then click Settings
- click Add features......
- next click 'I already have a product key'
- enter the product key (Do not enter the dashes)
- the upgrade process begins and the machine will automatically restart
That's all. Now your 'System' properties will show 8.1 Pro. As I understand it, all Pro editions are 64-bit by default
I may wait a few weeks before upgrading to 10 Pro. I think MS is still fixing a few bugs.

 

It is impossible to go from 32bit to 64bit without a complete new install of the OS. You are still on the same bit level that you were on home edition.

 

Beside Operating System: it shows 64 bit Before tonights upgrade to Pro, it didn't show Home, just Windows 8.1 Core
So I'm a bit confused at this point.

 

Windows 8.1 Core is 8.1 Home edition. And if you have 64bit pro now, then you had 8.1 Home 64bit, which is the most common version manufacturers supply with computers 4gb of memory or larger.

 

My Windows Edition now shows: 8.1 Pro with Media center
System: 64-bit
Now, if I can just figure out how to force it to upgrade to 10 Pro 64bit

 

I would say just run the 64 bit Media Creation Tool and select "Upgrade this PC now".

if you plan on doing a clean install after the upgrade, then make a USB with Windows 10 Pro 64 bit (use the "for other PC option". For the upgrade, just put in the USB while running Windows 8.1 and run setup.exe from it. If it asks you to enter a product key during the upgrade, something is wrong.