- Demystifying the Differences Between Windows 10 Pro and Pro N
- Media Playback Capabilities
- How do I Reset my Windows 10 license?
- Can I upgrade to Windows 10 if I have a Windows 7 license?
- Target Markets
- Pricing and Licensing
- How do I Find my Windows 10 product key?
- What does product activation mean on Windows 11?
- Performance and Updates
- Unique Features in Windows 10 Pro
- Is Windows 7/8/10 activation transferable?
- Do I need a product key to activate Windows 10?
- Can I transfer a Windows license to a different device?
- Do I need a Windows 10 license to build a new system?
- Switching from Pro N to Pro
- How to transfer and reassign Windows 10 license?
- Do I need a license to activate Windows 11?
- Can I transfer windows 10 Pro License to a new computer?
- Closing Thoughts
- References
Demystifying the Differences Between Windows 10 Pro and Pro N
As a long-time Windows user, you may have noticed there are multiple editions of Windows 10 available. The most common for desktop PCs are Windows 10 Home, Pro, and Pro N. While Home caters to basic consumer needs, Windows 10 Pro offers advanced functionality for power users, small businesses, and enterprises. But where does Pro N fit in?
In this guide, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty details differentiating Windows 10 Pro and Pro N. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how they compare in features, target markets, and licensing.
Media Playback Capabilities
The "N" in Windows 10 Pro N stands for "No Media Features." This edition strips out built-in apps for playing media, including:
- Windows Media Player
- Media Center
- Skype
- Groove Music
Without these pre-loaded apps, you won’t be able to play DVDs, CDs, or streaming audio/video out of the box.
How do I Reset my Windows 10 license?
You can use the convenient Reset option in Windows 10 to do this. Press Windows key + X then click Command Prompt (Admin). At the command prompt, enter the following command: slmgr.vbs /upk. This command uninstalls the product key, which frees the license for use elsewhere. You are now free to transfer your license to another computer.
Can I upgrade to Windows 10 if I have a Windows 7 license?
The good news is that you can still upgrade to Windows 10 on a device that has a license for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. You’ll need to download the installation files and run the Setup program from within Windows or use the Upgrade Assistant available from Microsoft’s accessibility page.
Microsoft originally introduced this media-free version to appease European regulators concerned about unfair competition in media software. As a result, Windows 10 Pro N emerged as the preferred mainstream OS choice for European PC manufacturers.
If you do purchase Windows 10 Pro N and find yourself missing media functionality, don’t worry. You can download the Media Feature Pack from Microsoft to add these capabilities back in.
Target Markets
As mentioned above, Microsoft primarily markets Windows 10 Pro N to hardware manufacturers in Europe. They license this software to pre-install on new desktops and laptops destined for European markets.
By contrast, Microsoft targets Windows 10 Pro mainly to power users, businesses, and PC enthusiasts in North America. If you build your own PC or buy one customized from a local retailer, chances are it comes with standard Windows 10 Pro.
Pricing and Licensing
From a licensing perspective, Windows 10 Pro and Pro N work exactly the same. You must activate each version with a valid 25-character product key.
How do I Find my Windows 10 product key?
Find your product key either on the device packaging or on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to your device. Find your product key on a label inside the Windows 10 box. Find your product key in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows 10 or in a digital locker accessible through the retailer’s website.
What does product activation mean on Windows 11?
Product activation tells Microsoft’s servers that you have purchased a legitimate license. On Windows 11 and 10, failure to activate Windows will limit your ability to personalize your machine, as well as give a scarlet letter of shame reminding you to Activate Windows.
Pricing is equivalent as well. At the time of writing, Windows 10 Pro retails for $199.99 while Pro N goes for $179.99 (prices do fluctuate).
If your PC came pre-loaded with Windows 10 Pro N, upgrading to Pro is easy. Just purchase a Pro product key online, enter it into the Activation tab of Settings, and restart the computer. Microsoft does not charge extra to change editions.
Performance and Updates
Under the hood, Windows 10 Pro and Pro N share identical system requirements, performance, speed, and stability. You can expect the same responsiveness, boot times, and benchmark scores on a given PC model.
These two editions also receive major feature updates, security patches, and bug fixes on the same monthly cadence directly from Microsoft. So there are no differences in staying up to date.
Unique Features in Windows 10 Pro
Although stripped of media features, Windows 10 Pro N otherwise mirrors its Pro counterpart in functionality. However, Pro does tout a handful of exclusive business-centric features including:
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BitLocker encryption– Safeguard data by encrypting entire hard drives.
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Remote Desktop– Log into a Windows 10 Pro PC remotely over a local network or the internet.
Is Windows 7/8/10 activation transferable?
Activation depends on what type of license you have of Windows 7/8/10. If Windows 7/8/10 came preinstalled with the computer, that is called an OEM license. For an OEM license, the license dies as soon as Motherboard dies. So essentially it is non-transferable. If that is the case you need to get a new license.
Do I need a product key to activate Windows 10?
Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10 or Windows 11, you’ll need either a 25-character product key or a digital license to activate it. A digital license (called a digital entitlement in Windows 10, Version 1511) is a method of activation in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that doesn’t require you to enter a product key.
Can I transfer a Windows license to a different device?
The transfer must include the software and, if provided with the device, an authentic Windows label including the product key. Reassignment of a Windows license – The OEM Windows license is “tied” to the device on which it is preinstalled. You can’t reassign it to a different device.
Do I need a Windows 10 license to build a new system?
If you decide to get the parts to put together a new system yourself, you will need a new license for Windows 10, which could be expensive depending on the edition. However, if you are building a new system that will replace another computer, you may be able to transfer the Windows 10 product key to save money.
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Domain join– Add Windows 10 Pro devices to an Active Directory domain network managed centrally by enterprise IT teams.
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Hyper-V– Create and run virtual machines on your Windows 10 Pro computer. Helpful for application compatibility testing, running Linux, or consolidating physical servers.
For most home users, these extra features carry limited appeal. But they can prove invaluable for small and medium-sized organizations.
Switching from Pro N to Pro
If you bought a PC with Windows 10 Pro N pre-installed but now want media features or Pro exclusives like BitLocker, switching editions is easy:
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Purchase a Windows 10 Pro license key online or from a retail store.
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Open the Settings app and navigate to Update & Security > Activation.
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Click "Change product key" and enter your new Pro key.
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Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the edition upgrade process.
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Once completed, restart your computer to finish activation. Enjoy full Windows 10 Pro!
Be sure to back up important files beforehand, as your installed programs will be removed during the switch. But your personal files and user profiles stay untouched throughout.
How to transfer and reassign Windows 10 license?
Transferring and reassigning Windows 10 – licensing how-to Step 1: OEM Windows 10 transfer and reassignment options Transfer of a Windows license – The OEM Windows license is… Step 2: Volume Licensing Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise Upgrade VL and Software Assurance transfer and reassignment… Step 3: …
Do I need a license to activate Windows 11?
You might need to purchase Windows 11 to activate. Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 11, you’ll need either a digital license or a 25-character product key to activate it. Without one of these, you won’t be able to activate your device.
Can I transfer windows 10 Pro License to a new computer?
Also, if you upgraded to Windows 10 Pro from Windows 10 Home by purchasing the upgrade through the Microsoft Store, you can transfer the license to a new computer because the product key will be converted into a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.
Closing Thoughts
In closing, Windows 10 Pro N and Pro are nearly identical products marketed to different geographies. With Pro N aimed at EU users and device manufacturers, most consumers and businesses are best served by Pro’s media capabilities, exclusive features like BitLocker, and broader retail availability.
Upgrading from Pro N to Pro is straightforward for those seeking expanded functionality. But for typical home computing, even Windows 10 Home often proves sufficient. Ultimately the choice comes down to your specific needs and budget.
We hope this guide provided useful clarity around Windows 10 editions. Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions as you weigh options for your next PC!
