I read several weeks ago about how Susan Bradley’s felt about Home vs. Pro and I’m sure that others are of the mind set. Susan said everybody on Home should upgrade to Pro, which cost about $100.00, but it was phrased like $100.00 was just such a trivial amount of money. She inferred that with the Pro version you apparently have more control over your machine (that would be great), but I’m sorry to inform you that $100.00 is a lot of money, especially for a senior on a fixed income. Do I forgo food or medicine to be able to upgrade my computer. I am not out to attack Susan Bradley on her statement because upgrading to Pro would probably be a good thing. If I had an extra $100.00 lying around and had nothing better to do with it, I would upgrade to Pro. But the reality is that this is just not the case and for the majority of people I know, it is just out of the question, including me. So I need a solution to deal with the computer and software that I have now. Quite often deciding between food and medicine is a very real on going choice for people. When you have to look at everything and decide if it is a life necessity or a want (no matter how great that want is), you learn very quickly what is really important. Sometimes when people are comfortable and their needs are all taken care of and they have most of their wants, they forget that others are not as abundantly blessed. That’s not a put down to anyone, it is reality. It seems that the majority of your members have the Pro version and most solutions pertain to that version. The rest of your members are kind of on our own. Maybe I’m the only one that feels that way, but I know that it is not just me by other posts I have read. Just remember that people need a practical solution to the computer and software they have because financially they can’t be spending money to upgrade or replace things every time some problems comes along or now there’s a better version on the market. There will always be something newer, however maybe not better coming out on the market. Buy a computer and a year later it is almost obsolete – that is the way of technology, whether that is good or not.
![]() |
Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
SIGN IN | Not a member? | REGISTER | PLUS MEMBERSHIP |
-
Windows 10 Home vs. Pro
Home » Forums » AskWoody support » Windows » Windows 10 » Questions: Win10 » Windows 10 Home vs. Pro
- This topic has 26 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 4 months ago.
Viewing 9 reply threadsAuthorReplies-
PKCano
ManagerDecember 21, 2020 at 3:01 pm #2321685For those with WIn10 Home, there is a way to control Windows Update. It is explained in AKB2000016 Guide for Windows Update Settings for Win10 Sections 1 and 2. If you need help implementing the instructions, please feel free to ask us for assistance.
-
Rick Corbett
AskWoody MVPDecember 22, 2020 at 1:23 am #2321882It seems that the majority of your members have the Pro version and most solutions pertain to that version. The rest of your members are kind of on our own. Maybe I’m the only one that feels that way, but I know that it is not just me by other posts I have read.
A very good point, and well made IMO.
It’s for this very reason that I prefer trying to find (and post) fixes for ‘Home’ editions… because this ‘consumer’ edition is what most folks buy.
-
Alex5723
AskWoody PlusDecember 22, 2020 at 3:48 am #2321908but I’m sorry to inform you that $100.00 is a lot of money,
You can still get Windows 10 Professional 1-PC retail licence (you can move the license from PC to PC) for $39.99
-
Paul T
AskWoody MVP -
jdamkeene
AskWoody Lounger -
joep517
AskWoody MVP
-
-
jdamkeeke
GuestDecember 22, 2020 at 2:12 pm #2322004I was pleased to see that there are still people who understand the situation which many seniors and others on fixed incomes face. Yes, $40.00 for some is a drop in the bucket, but for others on low incomes it is a great deal of money. Especially today, people are out of work and are having trouble providing the everyday necessities for their families. If there is a way of updating to the Pro version of Windows 10, I would like to know how and to be able to share that information with others. I am sure there are many people who feel the same way. If there is a way to upgrade to the Pro version, would you please consider sharing that information with others or steer them in the right direction. I’m sure your kindness would be returned to you many fold. Thank you and stay safe and healthy.
-
Paul T
AskWoody MVP
-
-
-
-
WSBirdLady
AskWoody PlusDecember 26, 2020 at 1:55 pm #2322853I am also a Windows 10 Home User (on my husband’s computer) version 1909. The only reason I would consider upgrading to Pro is because of all the update problems, and even then I could only forestall things for a period of time. We shouldn’t have to spend more to protect ourselves from a poorly-thought-out Microsoft patching strategy. Updates on this machine are paused right now, awaiting the go-ahead for the December patches. As I understand it allowing updates to resume is like clicking Check For Updates, and I may end up with version 2004, which I don’t particularly want until I have to accept it.
At some time in the future, my own Windows 7 computer will give up the ghost and I am seriously considering migrating away from Microsoft entirely and buying a Mac. The only thing I would really miss is my Outlook email, because I still like to have my email on my machine and not in the cloud. I will be researching alternatives.
I stopped updating my Windows 7 in October 2016. Once I loss the opportunity to pick and choose updates and timing, I disabled Windows updates. I have had no problems, because I am a very careful user and I back up everything frequently. So my experience makes it harder for me to just accept all the problems–minor and not so minor–that come with Microsoft’s current patching strategy. And paying more for only a bit more control.
-
This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by
WSBirdLady.
-
This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by
-
PKCano
ManagerDecember 26, 2020 at 2:03 pm #2322855There is a procedure in AKB2000016 Guide for Windows Update Settings Section 2 for preventing WU from upgrading you to the next Feature version (TargerReleaseVersion). Read it carefully, and if you have questions, ask. It will keep you on 1909 until you are ready to upgrade to e 2004 or later.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
WSBirdLady
AskWoody Plus
-
-
-
PaulK
AskWoody LoungerDecember 26, 2020 at 3:32 pm #2322871The only thing I would really miss is my Outlook email, because I still like to have my email on my machine and not in the cloud. I will be researching alternatives.
You should be able to use a POP account in Thunderbird. For example:
https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/78.6.0/system-requirements/
Firefox also.
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/#product-desktop-release1 user thanked author for this post.
-
WSBirdLady
AskWoody Plus
-
-
Paul T
AskWoody MVPDecember 27, 2020 at 1:07 am #2322968The only thing I would really miss is my Outlook email
You can get Outlook on Mac, same as on PC. Check out the apple store or MS.
cheers, Paul
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
ve9kk
AskWoody PlusJanuary 5, 2021 at 6:31 pm #2326136I just installed Win 10 home 64 bit and wanted to upgrade to pro 64-bit, and I was happy to read if I had a Win7 pro 64-bit key I could do it. I followed the steps to upgrade, and I enter my Win pro 7 lic but the upgrade failed. The message that was displayed was “The product key you entered didn’t work. Check the product key (I did and re-entered it several times) try again or enter a different one. (OxcOO4f050)
Am I correct in thinking that this lic did not work, and I am going to have to pay for a pro lic upgrade?
Thanks
Mike
-
PKCano
ManagerJanuary 5, 2021 at 6:49 pm #2326140If the key is an OEM license, it is only licensed to the original PC on which it was installed. In other words, if the PC was bought with Win7 installed and the key is the one on the sticker on that PC, the license is valid ONLY on that PC. You cannot use that license key to upgrade to Win10 on any other PC.
If the key is a RETAIL license, it can be used on one PC, then transferred to another PC providing it is uninstalled from the original PC. The license can only be used on ONE machine at a time. A RETAIL license key can be used to upgrade a PC from Home to Pro.
There is information here describing error OxcOO4f050
-
Paul T
AskWoody MVP -
b
AskWoody_MVPJanuary 6, 2021 at 12:00 pm #2326264(0xc004f050)
Try the generic key first while disconnected (which worked for a bunch of people with that error):
I am unable to upgrade Win 10 Home to Pro – error 0xc004f050
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
JulianHicks
AskWoody PlusJanuary 15, 2021 at 6:20 pm #2334635I’ve only installed Win 10 Pro from scratch using a Win 7 Pro key but according to a forum elsewhere, it was suggested the following steps should work:
- You do a temporary upgrade from Win 10 Home to Win 10 Pro by upgrading using the standard Win10 Pro ‘default’ key – VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
- This is effectively a ‘trail’ use of Win 10 Pro.
- Now you’re on a ‘limited use’ Win 10 Pro, you can now use your Win 7 Pro key to validate the update and make the Win 10 Pro permanent.
-
Kirsty
Manager
-
-
-
ve9kk
AskWoody Plus -
PKCano
ManagerJanuary 6, 2021 at 12:01 pm #2326265I think you should try contacting MS. Given it’s the same PC, and that it’s a Retail license, they should give you the activation code as described in the above link.
You may have to put the generic Win10 key in first, then change it once you have Win10 installed. You can Google for the generic code (I don’t have it available at the moment). But at the very least, a call to MS should work.
-
-
ve9kk
AskWoody PlusJanuary 7, 2021 at 2:25 pm #2326459Good evening all, I did contact MS via chat (did not know you could do that) and all I can say is “WOW very frustrating! I told them very clearly what I wanted to do and on more than 3 occasions they said “so what is it you want to do update to Win 7 pro?” “Are you wanting to downgrade from Win10 pro to Win10 home” it just went on and on very frustrating. I was then transferred to other chats that were incorrect, and I ended up back at the chat I left.
Below was their final answer:
Thanks for confirming, Mike. As I checked from my resources, we cannot upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro using a Windows 7 Pro key. In this case, we will need to have Windows10 Pro key to upgrade.I am just going to keep with Win7 home and move on to other things. Thanks everyone in the group for your help and advice.
MikeModerator Note: Edit to remove HTML. Please use the “Text” tab in the entry box when you copy/paste OR use the Toolbar toggle\Paste as text buttons.
-
Bob99
GuestJanuary 7, 2021 at 6:29 pm #2326516If I recall correctly (IIRC) the co$t for the upgrade from 10 Home to 10 Pro is US $99. Something to think about, since we now know that apparently you aren’t supposed to be able to go from 10 Home to 10 Pro using a 7 Pro retail license.
Seriously, very nice try! Good way of thinking outside the box!
Viewing 9 reply threads -

Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
Get Plus!
Welcome to our unique respite from the madness.
It's easy to post questions about Windows 11, Windows 10, Win8.1, Win7, Surface, Office, or browse through our Forums. Post anonymously or register for greater privileges. Keep it civil, please: Decorous Lounge rules strictly enforced. Questions? Contact Customer Support.
Search Newsletters
Search Forums
View the Forum
Search for Topics
Recent Topics
-
Turning off OneDrive
by
CWBillow
39 minutes ago -
June 2025 updates are out
by
Susan Bradley
25 minutes ago -
Mozilla shutting Deep Fake Detector
by
Alex5723
10 hours, 57 minutes ago -
Windows-Maintenance-Tool (.bat)
by
Alex5723
11 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26200.5641 released to DEV
by
joep517
13 hours, 29 minutes ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26120.4250 (24H2) released to BETA
by
joep517
13 hours, 30 minutes ago -
Install Office 365 Outlook classic on new Win11 machine
by
WSrcull999
13 hours, 28 minutes ago -
win 10 to win 11 with cpu/mb replacement
by
aquatarkus
5 hours, 21 minutes ago -
re-install Windows Security
by
CWBillow
16 hours, 45 minutes ago -
WWDC 2025 Recap: All of Apple’s NEW Features in 10 Minutes!
by
Alex5723
20 hours, 26 minutes ago -
macOS Tahoe 26
by
Alex5723
14 hours, 39 minutes ago -
Migrating from win10 to win11, instructions coming?
by
astro46
2 hours, 44 minutes ago -
Device Eligibility for Apple 2026 Operating Systems due this Fall
by
PKCano
5 hours, 12 minutes ago -
Recommended watching : Mountainhead movie
by
Alex5723
5 hours, 56 minutes ago -
End of support for Windows 10
by
Old enough to know better
5 hours, 52 minutes ago -
What goes on inside an LLM
by
Michael Covington
5 minutes ago -
The risk of remote access
by
Susan Bradley
5 hours, 1 minute ago -
The cruelest month for many Office users
by
Peter Deegan
12 hours, 8 minutes ago -
Tracking protection and trade-offs in Edge
by
Mary Branscombe
10 hours, 11 minutes ago -
Supreme Court grants DOGE access to confidential Social Security records
by
Alex5723
1 day, 18 hours ago -
EaseUS Partition Master free 19.6
by
Alex5723
19 hours, 27 minutes ago -
Microsoft : Edge is better than Chrome
by
Alex5723
2 days, 8 hours ago -
The EU launched DNS4EU
by
Alex5723
2 days, 20 hours ago -
Cell Phone vs. Traditional Touchtone Phone over POTS
by
280park
2 days, 11 hours ago -
Lost access to all my networked drives (shares) listed in My Computer
by
lwerman
3 days, 2 hours ago -
Set default size for pasted photo to word
by
Cyn
3 days, 8 hours ago -
Dedoimedo tries 24H2…
by
Cybertooth
2 days, 20 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 27871 released to Canary
by
joep517
4 days, 7 hours ago -
Windows 11 ad from Campaign Manager in Windows 10
by
Jim McKenna
2 days ago -
Small desktops
by
Susan Bradley
11 hours, 41 minutes ago
Recent blog posts
Key Links
Want to Advertise in the free newsletter? How about a gift subscription in honor of a birthday? Send an email to sb@askwoody.com to ask how.
Mastodon profile for DefConPatch
Mastodon profile for AskWoody
Home • About • FAQ • Posts & Privacy • Forums • My Account
Register • Free Newsletter • Plus Membership • Gift Certificates • MS-DEFCON Alerts
Copyright ©2004-2025 by AskWoody Tech LLC. All Rights Reserved.