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⊞ Upgrading Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro Using the KMS Client Key

📋 Overview


This article walks you through upgrading a Windows 11 Home edition machine to Windows 11 Pro by installing the built-in KMS client setup key and activating against your organization’s KMS host. This approach is ideal for volume-licensed environments where you manage activation centrally.



🔑 Prerequisites


Before you begin, ensure you have:


  1. Administrative privileges on the target PC.
  2. Network connectivity to your organization’s KMS host (default TCP port 1688).
  3. The appropriate KMS client setup key for Windows 11 Pro:


   NRG8B-VKK3Q-CXVCJ-9G2XF-6Q84J
  1. (Optional) The fully qualified domain name (FQDN) or IP of your KMS server, if it isn’t published via DNS.



🛠️ Step-by-Step Upgrade


1. Open Settings → Activation


  1. Press ⊞ Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Navigate to System → Activation.
  3. Click Change product key.



2. Enter the Windows 11 Pro KMS Client Key


  1. In the Enter a product key dialog, paste the Pro KMS key:


   NRG8B-VKK3Q-CXVCJ-9G2XF-6Q84J
  1. Click Next, then Activate.
  2. Windows will stage the Pro edition upgrade; your PC will automatically reboot when prompted.



3. (Alternate) Use Command-Line to Install & Activate


Tip: A command-line approach is scriptable for multiple machines.


  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:


  • Press ⊞ Win, type cmd, then Ctrl +Shift +Enter.
  1. Install the Windows 11 Pro KMS client key:


   slmgr /ipk NRG8B-VKK3Q-CXVCJ-9G2XF-6Q84J
  1. (If needed) Point to your KMS host:


   slmgr /skms kms.yourdomain.local:1688
  1. Request activation:


   slmgr /ato
  1. Confirm success. You should see a pop-up stating activation was successful.



✅ Verify Activation Status


Run the following for detailed licensing info:


slmgr /dlv


  • License Status: Should read Licensed.
  • Product Key Channel: Should show Volume:KMS_Client.



🛡️ Troubleshooting


Symptom

Possible Cause

Remedy

0xC004F074 KMS host unreachable

DNS misconfiguration or firewall blocking port 1688

Verify DNS entry for _vlmcs._tcp SRV record; open port 1688

Activation fails with network time error

System clock skew exceeds KMS tolerance

Sync time via w32tm /resync

Upgrade stuck at “Getting Windows ready”

Corrupted component store

Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth






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Updated on: 10/12/2025

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