Windows 10 Upgrade to Pro - Purchasing Issues

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Paul1977

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#288345 22-Jun-2021 12:00

Just recently purchased a new Surface Pro.

Because of stock shortages everywhere had to get one with Windows 10 Home, with the intent to upgrade it to Pro so we can connect it to Azure AD.

The user only has a "Work or School" account, but it won't let us login to the Microsoft Store with a "Work or School" account to purchase the required upgrade.

For tax purposes we'd like the upgrade purchase and invoice to be on the users MS (Work or School) account.

How do I get around this?

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Networkn
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#2732607 22-Jun-2021 12:06

For clients that do this, we buy Windows 10 Pro Upgrade from distributors. We had no luck getting anything else to work at all. Even when it did work, it would randomly become unlicensed and MS would not assist.

Paul1977

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#2732614 22-Jun-2021 12:22

networkn:

For clients that do this, we buy Windows 10 Pro Upgrade from distributors. We had no luck getting anything else to work at all. Even when it did work, it would randomly become unlicensed and MS would not assist.

That's so damn ridiculous!

The user is on a 365 Business Standard plan, so is the below what we need? It's a somewhat confusing product name, and I can't find much about it. I've read some aneqdotal reports that it requires a 365 PREMIUM subscription to work, but can't find anything solid either way.

https://acquire.co.nz/p/microsoft/software-licensing/operating-network-systems/windows-10-home-to-pro-upgrade-for-microsoft-365-business-df77x4d43rkt48f5-5174985/

JaseNZ

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#2732681 22-Jun-2021 14:06

Depending on what route you want to go down you could just get a $5 -$10 pro key from ebay and reinstall.

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Paul1977

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#2732719 22-Jun-2021 14:58

So the (poorly named) product I linked above only works if you have a Premium 365 account.

jaymz

1133 posts

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#2732720 22-Jun-2021 15:02

Paul1977:

Just recently purchased a new Surface Pro.

Because of stock shortages everywhere had to get one with Windows 10 Home, with the intent to upgrade it to Pro so we can connect it to Azure AD.

The user only has a "Work or School" account, but it won't let us login to the Microsoft Store with a "Work or School" account to purchase the required upgrade.

For tax purposes we'd like the upgrade purchase and invoice to be on the users MS (Work or School) account.

How do I get around this?

You have touched on the issue/answer in your question.

In the land of Microsoft, there are two types of accounts. Microsoft accounts and Work/School (Microsoft 365) accounts. The two are similar but there are key differences that will prevent you from doing some things.

Short answer is, you need a Microsoft Account in order to purchase a Windows 10 version upgrade, same as if you wish to switch your device out of "S" mode.

Don't ask me why that is, it is complicated.

So, unfortunately, you will need to create a Microsoft Account to purchase the upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.

Paul1977

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#2732756 22-Jun-2021 16:38

jaymz:

You have touched on the issue/answer in your question.

In the land of Microsoft, there are two types of accounts. Microsoft accounts and Work/School (Microsoft 365) accounts. The two are similar but there are key differences that will prevent you from doing some things.

Short answer is, you need a Microsoft Account in order to purchase a Windows 10 version upgrade, same as if you wish to switch your device out of "S" mode.

Don't ask me why that is, it is complicated.

So, unfortunately, you will need to create a Microsoft Account to purchase the upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.

Yeah, two types of accounts - but they're both Microsoft accounts. It's ludicrous that you can't purchase a Windows Pro upgrade using a Microsoft "Work or School" account.

And for managing purchases and invoices etc it's far from ideal to have to make a business purchase like this via a personal account that will never be used again.

People who use a "Personal" account generally have no need for a Windows Pro upgrade, yet they're the only ones who are able to purchase it. And those with "Work or School" accounts, who are far more likely to want/need the upgrade, are the ones who are unable to purchase it. Absolutely ridiculous.

Anyway, we're just getting it through a distributor now - and it's crazy that we have to do it this way.

Ruphus

465 posts

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#2732809 22-Jun-2021 19:45

Paul1977:
Yeah, two types of accounts - but they're both Microsoft accounts.

No they are not. Microsoft accounts are personal accounts that are managed by individuals. Work or school accounts are accounts that can be managed centrally though Azure Active Directory by businesses or educational institutions.

Businesses often have agreements or licenses in place like Microsoft 365, which allow them to change to the SKU of Windows 10.

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shrub

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#2732834 22-Jun-2021 21:13

Just get a cheap key and reinstall windows to be done with it.

Andib

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#2732883 23-Jun-2021 07:54

JaseNZ:

Depending on what route you want to go down you could just get a $5 -$10 pro key from ebay and reinstall.

For a Business / commercial use I'd highly recommend not going this route.

It's a great way to fail an audit by not having correctly licenced MS software.

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nztim

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#2732892 23-Jun-2021 08:38

Dove code PC1008 - Ask PBTech or any fellow Geekzone Member with a dove account who can buy it for you - Do it Legally

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Paul1977

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#2732908 23-Jun-2021 09:26

Ruphus:

No they are not. Microsoft accounts are personal accounts that are managed by individuals. Work or school accounts are accounts that can be managed centrally though Azure Active Directory by businesses or educational institutions.

Businesses often have agreements or licenses in place like Microsoft 365, which allow them to change to the SKU of Windows 10.

Sure they aren't both "Microsoft Accounts", but my point is they are both accounts set up with Microsoft.

I just think it's frustrating that a small startup business like this can't easily purchase this upgrade directly from the laptop using their Work/School account. It seems a case of Microsoft making things unnecessarily difficult.

nztim

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#2732909 23-Jun-2021 09:28

Paul1977:

I just think it's frustrating that a small startup business like this can't easily purchase this upgrade directly from the laptop using their Work/School account. It seems a case of Microsoft making things unnecessarily difficult.

There are heaps of IT vendors out ther (Including Us) who are CSP/Microsoft resellers aimed directly at the Small Business Market

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Paul1977

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#2732912 23-Jun-2021 09:29

nztim:

Dove code PC1008 - Ask PBTech or any fellow Geekzone Member with a dove account who can buy it for you - Do it Legally

Just received license from Dove this morning, wouldn't consider doing a cheap (probably stolen) key.

1101

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#2732916 23-Jun-2021 09:33

nztim:

Dove code PC1008 - Ask PBTech or any fellow Geekzone Member with a dove account who can buy it for you - Do it Legally

Thats not the home to pro upgrade , its the full retail Win10 (I just looked) .

Im in the same boat , I will need to upgrade a PC from 10home to 10Pro this week.
I cant find the upgrade on Dove or PBTech , they dont seem to sell it.

If anyone has the Ingram (or PBT) product code , that would be great ( if they sell it )
I have Dove, PBT & Ingram a/c's , but not Aquire

MS doesnt make this easy. I couldnt even get a price of MS's website .

nztim

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#2732918 23-Jun-2021 09:37

1101:

nztim:

Dove code PC1008 - Ask PBTech or any fellow Geekzone Member with a dove account who can buy it for you - Do it Legally

Thats not the home to pro upgrade , its the full retail Win10 (I just looked) .

Im in the same boat , I will need to upgrade a PC from 10home to 10Pro this week.
I cant find the upgrade on Dove or PBTech , they dont seem to sell it.

If anyone has the Ingram (or PBT) product code , that would be great ( if they sell it )
I have Dove, PBT & Ingram a/c's , but not Aquire

MS doesnt make this easy. I couldnt even get a price of MS's website .

There is no more home to pro upgrade you if your PC doesnt come with Win10 Pro its full retail purchase

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

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