In Progress Software Installation Help Needed

[Clive744]

Hi Guys

I will be taking delivery of an Acer Aspire laptop which will come with Microsoft Windows 11 Home installed.

Some time ago I purchased Microsoft Windows 11 Pro + Office 2021 for 3 machines and I can’t for the life of me remember how many machines it’s been used on but was thinking about uninstalling Windows 11 Home and putting the Professional on instead.

If by chance it’s been installed 3 times already, I would have to reinstall the Home Edition.
Years ago, laptops and PCs use to come with an installation disk along with a key code which had to be typed in during the installation process.
I believe these days software is downloaded from the internet and installed ie. no need for CDs.

I’ve asked the seller of the laptop how I would go about re-installing MS Home should MS Pro not work and was told the Windows product key is embedded in the laptop’s BIOS chip at the factory.
This means if I ever need to reinstall Windows, the key will be automatically detected and applied during the installation process - there’s no need to manually enter it.
If I ever do need to reinstall, I can simply download the official Windows installation media from Microsoft’s website and follow the steps to create a bootable USB drive. (Their words).

Question: How do you create a bootable USB drive and how does it work once its been pushed in the hole?

It’s all a big learning curve for me because I know when the laptop comes all it will have on it is Windows 11 Home, no office, no internet so I’ve got the lot to learn.
I don’t even know the best order of installing things, plus if I wanted to download FireFox, how would I go about doing it when there will be no internet browser on the machine?

I’m just asking these questions before the laptop arrives so I’ve got some idea on what I should be doing.
Also how do I go about formatting the old laptop before I get rid of it?

I guess that’s the trouble when you come from the era when the nearest thing you could get for a calculator was a slide rule .

My thanks to anyone who can spare the time and has the patience to educate me.

Clive

 

[Bruce]

To make a bootable Windows USB stick, use the Windows Media Creation Tool, available from here; https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

The new laptop will already have Windows installed, so Microsoft's Edge browser will be available for you to use to surf the web.

Where did you purchase the Windows and Office products from?
Did they come with a Product Key for Office and another for Windows?
What did you pay for them?

Why do you need the Pro version?
It's only main advantage is the ability to join a Domain network, create virtual machines, and BitLocker - and none of them are usually required for most users.

One method to upgrade a Home version to the Pro version is to click Start, Settings, System, Activation, in the Change Product Key field, click Change and enter the key for Win11 Pro.

 

[Clive744]

To make a bootable Windows USB stick, use the Windows Media Creation Tool, available from here; https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

The new laptop will already have Windows installed, so Microsoft's Edge browser will be available for you to use to surf the web.

Where did you purchase the Windows and Office products from?
Did they come with a Product Key for Office and another for Windows?
What did you pay for them?

Why do you need the Pro version?
It's only main advantage is the ability to join a Domain network, create virtual machines, and BitLocker - and none of them are usually required for most users.

One method to upgrade a Home version to the Pro version is to click Start, Settings, System, Activation, in the Change Product Key field, click Change and enter the key for Win11 Pro.

Hello again Bruce

Thank you for your reply,

I bought Windows and Office from shop.winandoffice.com and yes both came with a product key and they worked on the machines they were installed on, no issues.

I’ve been use to using Office Pro which is on my PC so would like to keep it the same on the laptop.

You say, One method to upgrade a Home version to the Pro version is to click Start, Settings, System, Activation, in the Change Product Key field, click Change and enter the key for Win11 Pro, I will give this a go as soon as the laptop arrives.

Regarding making a bootable Windows USB stick, would it still be a good idea for me to do that and what size stick would I need?

Am I correct in assuming the download for creating the stick would be as shown in the screen shot?



Thank you

 

[Bruce]

To make a bootable Windows USB stick, it needs to be at least 8GB.
Yes, click that Download buttion to get the tool, run that tool to create a bootable USB stick.

Honestly, unless you need the extra things that Win Pro gives you, I'd stick to Home.
As to Office Pro, that is much easier to install/uninstall, so try one of those Keys you purchased - it will either allow you or it won't.

 

[PeterOz]

Do you sign into your current Windows 11 with a Microsoft account?
If yes then you can login now via the web into your Microsoft account and it will tell
you how many computers you have that are running Windows 11.

I would upgrade the way Bruce suggested by entering the product key.
If you upgrade this way you will have less hassle.

If you use the USB creation tool then you are going to have to make sure you have all the drivers for your laptop
before going on the internet.

Also downloading the tool for future use is a waste of time as the ISO is changed when there are new releases.
You download and use only when needed.

I prefer to use Windows Pro - makes life easier.

 

[Clive744]

Hi Peter

No, I don’t sign in, I just start my computer up in the normal way and a screen appears saying sign in, so I just click on the sign in button and my desktop opens with all my shortcuts.

Can I just run this by both you and Bruce, When the new laptop arrives it will have Windows 11 Home pre-installed.

I will go to the website where I purchased MS Windows 11 Pro from, download it and then start the install and during the installation insert the key code when requested.

Bruce mention “One method to upgrade a Home version to the Pro version is to click Start, Settings, System, Activation, in the Change Product Key field, click Change and enter the key for Win11 Pro”.

I thought the key code would need to be entered during the installation process ie a screen would appear requesting me to enter the code.
In view of that would I still need to go into Settings, System, Activation and change the product key as Bruce suggested, remembering I purchased from shop.winandoffice.com so the account will be with them and not Microsoft themselves?

I just want to make sure I’m doing it correctly with both your guidance’s.

Another daft thought, will I not end up with Windows Home and Pro on the machine?

Will I need to uninstall the Home version after the installation of Pro?

Sorry if the questions are bit elementary.

 

[Clive744]

As far as telling how many times Iv'e used the key code, I guess when I enter it, it will either accept it or not.

 

[Clive744]

Ok Guys

The new laptop has arrived, Iv'e hard wired it to the internet switched it on and a message has come up saying "There's a problem that's preventing us from getting your PC ready to use but we think an update will help get things working again". so Iv'e clicked get the updates which it's done and it restarted.

I carried on and done things like select language and keyboard type.

Now it's saying create a Microsoft Account ie. email address, phone or skype, (see the screen shots.) I don't have to sign in when using my PC and don't want to sign in every time I use the laptop, can I simply click the next button ignoring that reqquest? Is having an account a good thing or a Microsoft pain?

 

[Clive744]

Iv'e just watched a few videos and decided I don't want a Microsoft Account, so I'm trying to sort it without creating one

 

[Bruce]

If you use my method I mentioned, during that process it will ask for your Win11 Pro key.

An annoying feature of Win11 now is the requirement to create a MS account during install.
There is a way around it, going into a command prompt and playing with OOBE commands.
I've only tried this twice, one worked and one didn't, so I don't bother anymore, I just play the game, create or use a MS account to get the PC setup.

Then I create a normal, local account, restart and log into that new account, then kill the MS account.

 

[Clive744]

As I said, I watched some videos and decided I didn’t want MS snooping around anymore than necessary and I don’t store anything on Cloud anyway and want to keep it that way.

I’ll watch a few more videos to see if I can setup without creating an MS account, failing that I will try and do as you suggested play the game then setup a local account, none of which I’ve done before.

I’ll let you know how I get on, unless of course it’s to ask more questions.

Thanks again

Clive

 

[PeterOz]

I will go to the website where I purchased MS Windows 11 Pro from, download it and then start the install and during the installation insert the key code when requested.

No
You do as Bruce advised.
click Start, Settings, System, Activation, in the Change Product Key field, click Change and enter the key for Win11 Pro.
This will then automatically change Home to Pro. Easiest way of doing it.

I don't want a Microsoft Account, so I'm trying to sort it without creating one

Yu have to turn off the wifi. Unplug the Network cable.
Run the OOBE and when you get back to the screen you are on now you will have the option of no internet.
I will find some instructions for you.

 

[PeterOz]

A simple way here

Redirecting

 

[PeterOz]

and a video that shows how
CLICK ON ME

 

[Clive744]

Peter/Bruce

I’m still here, it’s taking me a bit of time guys not having done any of this before.
I’ve had to find out how to do the simplest of things like setting the home page on FireFox after downloading it, but I have done it now.

I did have the laptop hard wired to the internet, but fortunately when I got to the bit where it said set up a Microsoft account I stopped.
I had a look on the internet using my desktop PC and found this video

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which I had a go at, then checked to make sure I had indeed created a local account as per the video.

As far as changing the product key, doing it the method both of you have said, it didn’t work.
Having said that I may have used it the limited number of times I can’t remember as it was purchased in 2023.

I will email where I purchased it from and let you know how I get on.
It may well be I need to buy a new one.

Thank you for video link Peter, the one above worked for me which I’d managed to find in the meantime.

 

[Clive744]

Hi Guys

Right, I’ve had a go at changing the product key for Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Professional and the key doesn’t work, however the key does come with a download link so I’ve downloaded Windows 11 Professional and started to try and install it and it’s asking for a partition which I don’t know how to create or how big it should be, the drive is 1TB in total?
while I’m waiting for you to come back to me, I will see what I can find out on the net.

Its also asking me to choose which media to use USB flash drive or ISO file, again I don’t know what I’m supposed to do and why, again in the meantime I will look on the net?

I don’t have a USB flash drive, usually when I’m backing my work up I do it to 500GB or 1TB external hard drive which I connect using a USB cable of course I can purchase a USB flash if necessary.

I’ve included a couple of screen shots so you can see where I’m at.

 

[Bruce]

Choose the USB Flash Drive option, and of course you'll need to have a 8GB USB stick.
Are you saying that you have no USB sticks in the house - unbelievable!
I think my Mum would be the only other person I know who could say that.

As to the partitions, when installing Windows, one of the early choices it gives is what partition to use and it'll have a list - I tell it to delete each partition then have it continue with the install and it will sort out the best fit.

Of course this process is destructive, so make sure you have any personal files backed up first.

 

[Clive744]

Absolutely bang on Bruce, nope, no sticks in the house as I said any work gets backed up onto a 500gb or 1TB external hard drive which I simply plug into one of the computer’s usb ports.

Ok so I can go out and buy a stick tomorrow and push it in the USB hole, but then what?
I assume I need to put something on it.

I’m guessing you didn’t believe me when I said all I do is use a computer not put everything on it from scratch.

 

[PeterOz]

I think you are making a BIG mistake doing what you plan.

If the key will not work in that method then I will be surprised as all hell it it works by reinstalling.
I think you are going to cause yourself a lot of angst.

Do you have a Microsoft account
A Microsoft account is a personal account used to access Microsoft's products and services, such as an Xbox console, Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, OneDrive, Xbox Live, Family Safety, Skype, Bing, Microsoft Store and MSN.

How many computers do you have not counting the new one.

 

[PeterOz]

and the key doesn’t work

What error are you getting?