220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
A technician needs to upgrade a Windows 10 Home workstation to Windows 10 Pro to join a domain. The user has a valid Windows 10 Pro license key. Which built-in Windows feature should the technician use to perform the upgrade without reinstalling applications?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse 'Reset this PC' (which reinstalls the OS and removes apps) with an edition upgrade, or they think 'System Restore' can change the Windows edition, when only 'Change product key' performs an in-place edition upgrade without reinstalling applications.
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
✓
Change product key
The 'Change product key' feature (accessible via Settings > Update & Security > Activation) allows upgrading from Windows 10 Home to Pro by entering a valid Pro license key. This triggers an in-place upgrade that preserves installed applications, user data, and settings without requiring a clean installation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Refresh Windows
Why it's wrong here
Refresh Windows is a recovery feature that reinstalls the OS while preserving personal files, but it does not change the Windows edition. It restores system files to factory state, yet if the original installation is Home, the refreshed OS remains Home. To upgrade to Pro, you need a Pro license key, not a refresh operation.
- ✗
Reset this PC
Why it's wrong here
Reset this PC reinstalls Windows and removes all installed applications (or optionally keeps files), but it does not alter the edition. It essentially reinstalls the same edition that is currently installed, so a Home system remains Home. It is not a method for upgrading to Pro; it is for troubleshooting or starting fresh.
- ✗
System Restore
Why it's wrong here
System Restore rolls back system files, registry settings, and installed programs to a previous restore point. It does not change the product edition or license state. Restore points are snapshots of system state, not edition changers, so it cannot transition Home to Pro.
- ✓
Change product key
Why this is correct
In Settings > Update & Security > Activation, clicking "Change product key" allows you to enter a valid Windows 10 Pro product key. This triggers an in-place edition upgrade that converts Home to Pro while keeping all installed applications, user data, and settings. This is the proper method for an edition upgrade without reinstalling.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
User Account Control (UAC)
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
Security
Security in IT is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1102 exam.