Can I change my Windows edition without deleting my settings and files?

Paul 21 Reputation points
2020-09-05T09:35:50.887+00:00

I am currently using the Windows 10 Education edition. But I wanted to upgrade to Windows 10 pro, and I have already purchased the CD key.

I tried typing in the CD key in my settings but it wouldn't work (Error code: 0xc004f210). I googled the error code and it seems I have to reinstall the pro edition of the OS, and then I have to type in the CD key.

Is there anyway to change my Windows edition without tampering my files and my personal settings?

Windows 10
Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
10,674 questions
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  1. Joy Qiao 4,886 Reputation points Microsoft Employee
    2020-09-07T08:19:18.547+00:00

    Hi,

    Downgrade from Windows 10 Education to Windows 10 Pro need to reinstall Windows 10 with ISO image or your DVD disk. But this action will not affect your personal data, it just remove and deprecated some features. Here is a link for a downgrade video, which shows downgrade from Enterprise to Pro and might be useful to soothe your anxieties. We could see clearly user account and desktop third party application icons were reserved after downgrade.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5GnFru0zas

    But if you are afraid of lost data during downgrade, It's a safe bet to backup your personal data.

    Please note: Information posted in the given link is hosted by a third party. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy and effectiveness of information.

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  1. Kevin Kennedy 1 Reputation point
    2020-09-05T10:20:15.313+00:00

    Your files and settings should be preserved. It's been almost a decade since I've ensured all of my files automatically sync with OneDrive, and I couldn't even imagine going back to the days when I did backups to an external drive and then once a month, would burn DVDs I'd take to a storage unit for disaster recovery. I can't encourage you enough to keep your files synchronized. It does take me a good couple of hours to get all the settings tweaked just the way I like them. Fortunately, the upgrade path you describe should keep your settings unless they only applied to the previous edition. Just make sure you choose the option to keep your files and settings, but it's hard to miss. Also this upgrade path is the only real option baring unnecessary complex administrative knowledge which will take a lot longer and wouldn't give you any real benefits. Windows has gotten pretty good at this stuff and I doubt you'll have any headaches.

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