220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
A technician needs to upgrade a Windows 10 Home computer to Windows 10 Pro. The technician has a valid Windows 10 Pro product key. Which built-in method should be used to perform the edition upgrade?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the 'Upgrade this PC' option in the Media Creation Tool with an edition upgrade, when in fact it only performs a feature update or repair, not a change from Home to Pro.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the 'Change product key' option in the Activation settings
The 'Change product key' option in Activation settings is the correct built-in method for upgrading Windows 10 Home to Pro using a valid Pro product key. This triggers the edition upgrade process directly within the existing installation, preserving files, settings, and applications without requiring a clean install or external media.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Perform a clean installation using a Windows 10 Pro installation media
Why it's wrong here
Performing a clean installation will erase all files, settings, and applications on the computer. Since the goal is to change the Windows edition while keeping the existing environment, this destructive approach is unnecessary. The in-place upgrade via product key change preserves user data and installed programs, making it the preferred method for this scenario.
- ✓
Use the 'Change product key' option in the Activation settings
Why this is correct
Using the 'Change product key' option in Activation settings prompts Windows to validate a new product key and automatically convert the current edition to Windows 10 Pro. This process upgrades in-place, meaning existing applications, documents, and customizations are retained without needing a full reinstall. A reboot is often required, but no data loss occurs.
- ✗
Run the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool and select 'Upgrade this PC'
Why it's wrong here
The Media Creation Tool creates bootable media or upgrades the same edition, but it cannot elevate Windows 10 Home to Pro by itself. When run, it reinstalls the current edition unless a different product key is supplied during setup. A separate product key change is still required to actually switch editions, so this tool alone does not accomplish the upgrade.
- ✗
Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Why it's wrong here
The Windows Update Troubleshooter is designed to resolve update-related errors, such as corrupted download caches or service misconfigurations. It has no ability to change the installed Windows edition because edition upgrades are handled by the Activation and Software Licensing services. Running it will not alter the product key or initiate a Pro upgrade.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Windows Upgrade Paths and Edition Compatibility
Key term
Windows 10
Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft that combines the familiarity of Windows 7 with the modern features of Windows 8, designed to run on a wide range of devices from desktops to tablets.
Key term
Windows
Windows is a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft that manages computer hardware and software, providing a graphical user interface for users to interact with their devices.
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