Did You Know You Can Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for Free with Microsoft 365 Business Premium?

Did you know that if you have a Microsoft 365 Business Premium licence, you can upgrade a Windows Home device to Windows Pro without paying for a Windows Pro licence? It isn’t obvious, and many people don’t realise that Windows won’t offer the upgrade on its own until the device is running a Pro edition.

Here’s the simple way to get any device onto Windows 11 Pro using your Business Premium subscription.

If You’re Already on Windows 10 Pro

If your computer is already running Windows 10 Pro and it meets Microsoft’s hardware requirements, Windows 11 Pro will be offered automatically through Windows Update. Just install it from there.

If the upgrade isn’t offered, the hardware simply doesn’t meet Windows 11’s minimum requirements (such as TPM 2.0, Secure Boot or a supported processor). In that case, the device cannot upgrade and must stay on Windows 10 Pro or be replaced.

Upgrading Windows Home to Windows Pro (Free with Business Premium)

Windows Home can’t join Microsoft Entra ID, and that’s the reason it won’t activate Windows Pro under a Business Premium licence.
To fix this, you first switch the device from Home to Pro using Microsoft’s generic upgrade key:

VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

Steps:

  1. Open Settings → System → Activation
  2. Select Change product key
  3. Enter the key above
  4. Restart the device

It will now show Windows Pro (Not Activated) — this is expected.

Activate Windows 11 Pro Using Your Business Premium Licence

Once the device is running Pro:

  1. Make sure the user has Microsoft 365 Business Premium assigned
  2. Go to Settings → Accounts → Access work or school
  3. Select Connect
  4. Sign in with your Business Premium account
  5. Choose Join this device to Microsoft Entra ID

Windows will automatically activate as:

Windows 11 Pro – Digital licence linked to your organisation

No purchase required.

Device Compatibility Reminder

Windows 11 will only install on hardware that meets Microsoft’s minimum requirements. If features like TPM 2.0, Secure Boot or a supported processor are missing, the upgrade won’t appear in Windows Update. In that situation, the device must stay on Windows 10 Pro, or you’ll need to move to hardware that supports Windows 11.

If Your Licence Is Later Downgraded

If your Microsoft 365 licence is changed from Business Premium to Standard or Basic:

  • Windows will stay on Pro, but
  • The activation will eventually stop working and show “Windows is not activated”

To restore activation, you can:

  • Reassign Business Premium, or
  • Leave the device as Unactivated Pro (not recommended)

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