Windows 8.1 upgrade to Windows 10 - Home or Pro version?

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bluegreen1

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I recently purchased a Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus (in May), which came with Windows 8.1. But I have Windows 7 Professional that I had installed on my old dead notebook. I'm wondering if I should first install my Windows 7 Pro on my almost new Samsung, so I will get the Windows 10 Pro edition as an upgrade, instead of a Windows 10 Home edition as an upgrade? (The Windows 8.1 OS that came on the Samsung is not the Pro edition.)

Also, is there a way to save a copy of the Windows 8.1 OS before I do the upgrade? I've never made a backup copy of an OS before, so I haven't a clue of how to go about it. (Win 8.1 came pre-installed in the Samsung notebook and there was no DVD for it, so I don't have it other than on the machine itself.)

Thanks!

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIndows 8.1
I think you already suspect that won't work. The orig OS comes with downgrade rights, a downgraded system does not. The Samsung has an embedded 8.1 Home key that will be read by Windows 10 as an activation key for Windows 10 Home, not Pro. If you installed Windows 7 Pro to your old laptop after you bought the disc, you can migrate that to the Samsung as a downgrade but it will not be valid for a Windows 10 Pro upgrade.

The key to the newest generation OS is what is read at Win10 upgrade time. Ie; if the Samsung came with Vista or 7 Home and you bought a 7 Pro licensed disc, THEN you would be eligible for 10 Pro upgrade. Your Samsung may have a recovery drive to reset to orig factory condition. Or you can use 3rd party software like Macrium or Acronis to image the computer before conversion.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
I don't see why installing Windows 7 Pro then upgrading to Windows 10 Pro won't work as long as The Windows 7 Pro install is activated before upgrading.

I don't think it's worth the effort since there is very little in Pro that you might need.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
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