How to Upgrade W11 from Home to Pro with NPO License
One of our service units had paid a License to upgrade one Laptop from Windows 11 Home to Professional.
Since this type of license was a NPO license from TechDonation, https://www.techdonation.org.hk/content/windows-pro-full-operating-system-%E2%80%93-no-software-assurance, it required a clean installation.
At the start, followed the steps to download & create an installation media, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11.
However, that didn't work.
Every attempt to install the operating system defaulted to the Home version
Finally, to solve it:
1. Download the ISO
2. Run Rufus to create a bootable USB
3. Create and edit the file - ei.cfg - in the source folder, i.e. E:\sources
[Channel]
_Default
[VL]
0
4. ei.cfg is to enable selection of Windows 11 versions
Should select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)"
When select "Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings, and applications"
Format and select the OS partition
Additional
Required you to have Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Driver, https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19512/intel-rapid-storage-technology-driver-installation-software-with-intel-optane-memory-10th-and-11th-gen-platforms.html.
Such as my case, Intel 11th CPU. When did not have driver, couldn't find any drives.
How-to
1. Download the SetupRST.exe
2. CLI: SetupRST.exe -extractdrivers SetupRST_extracted
3. Copy the folder - SetupRST_extracted to the W11 Installer USB Stick
4. SetupRST_extracted > production > Windows10-x64 > Drivers > VMD
5. When driver is selected, "Windows Setup" will show the drives
Appendix: Dell Desktop OptiPlex 3070 Small Form Factor: Upgrade to W10 from W11
Environment
- Dell Desktop OptiPlex 3070 Small Form Factor
Summary
Upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 was failed three times.
Finally, it was solved by directly installing with W11 ISO without any License Number.
Then, the license was auto registered.
Description
At start, needed enable the TPM 2.0.
Then, went to upgrade from Windows 10 to 11.
The first time failed with error - 0xc000000f.
Solved this error with
- bootrec /fixmbr
- bootrec /fixboot
- bootrec /scanos
- bootrec /rebuildbcd
- bcdedit /enum
The second to upgrade, it failed with another error - 0xc000014c.
That time, rolling back did NOT work.
Required to run Factory Reset.
Dell OS Recovery Reset that was not available for this computer
Next, SupportAssist OS Recovery
- Repair and Restore your Computer Using SupportAssist OS Recovery, https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-hk/000177401/restore-your-system-using-dell-supportassist-os-recovery
Tried it with different ways. NO WINDOWS License
Directly installing with the W11 ISO without any License Number.
Finished & rebooted.
Then, auto registered.
Didn't ask the License Number.
References
Step-by-step guide to install Windows 11 Professional from USB, https://itso.hkust.edu.hk/services/workplace-services/device-management/guide-install-win11-pro-usb
Update
- +: Appendix: Dell Desktop OptiPlex 3070 Small Form Factor: Upgrade to W10 from W11, 2026-Jul-27