Trying to upgrade 8.1 home to pro

TheHLC

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I am going to to upgrade to windows 10. I want to first upgrade my Win 8.1 home to 8.1 pro. I'd rather not pay the $100 Microsoft wants, plus since Win 10 has been out if I go to the System in the Control Panel and select "Get more features with a new edition of Windows" it no longe gives me the ability to purchase only to enter a key I would like to use a global cd key or if possible oem key (it's cheaper) for Windows 8.1 pro. Are either of those an option? If so, which ones? Where do i enter the key? Is it the add features to windows 8.1 or what?
 
you would have to purchase a PRO key (oem or retail) then enter it in add features...
 
you would have to purchase a PRO key (oem or retail) then enter it in add features...
Hey thanks for your advice. I just bought the OEM but apparently I can't just add it via the control panel's "Get more features with a new edition of Windows". Apparently the retailer said I have to do this http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media . So I know that will delete all my programs, files, etc... What about drivers and programs that came on the computer, will they be passed on to the new version of Windows or what? besides stuff installed after I got the computer, is there anything I need to backup?
 
run windows PRO version as an upgrade - download the PRO setup media (your link valid) and then run the setup.exe from within your current version of windows
an upgrade will keep all your files and settings. if you choose to..
 
The upgrade from 8.1 to 8.1 Pro was also sold in stores as the 'Pro Pack'. It was a boxed product, although all it contained was a licence key. It may be worth comparing prices for the Pro Pack too.

Edit: just re-read the thread - I see you already bought something. Ignore the above!
 
My laptop came with Windows 8.0 Core OEM. I used Add Features to go to Pro by just typing in my MSDN Pro Retail key. I didn't lose a thing in the process. It just unlocked the Pro features that were already installed.
 
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