Easily Shift Windows 10 Version 1709 License from Enterprise to Education

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

October 3, 2017

2 Min Read
Logo-Windows 10 Desktop

OK, before I dive into this tip - a warning.

This tidbit from Michael Niehaus at Microsoft requires that you are holding the proper licenses to change your version of Windows 10 to a different SKU. I mean you want to be legal and genuine right?

Everyone outside of Microsoft knows Michael Niehaus as the man with the plan to support Windows 10 under the Windows as a Service (WaaS) umbrella. Well today he has shared a handy tip for those of you, who are of course properly licensed to do so, that may need to switch between the Enterprise and Education SKU's of Windows 10.

Over on his Windows and Office Deployment Ramblings blog, Niehaus shares the following:

"Some of you may have seen me do a demo at previous events showing how you could change from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 10 Enterprise, just by changing the product key – the change is immediate, no reboot is required.  That capability was added in Windows 10 1607.

Now in Windows 10 1709, we’ll add one more OS into the fold.  Now you can also change from Windows 10 Enterprise to Windows 10 Education, again just by changing the product key."

He also confirmed on Twitter that you can go in the opposite direction if necessary.

So, based on the abilities that were present in Windows 10 Version 1607 and those arriving in Version 1709 later this month with the Fall Creators Update, you can do the following SKU changes with genuine license keys:

Windows 10 Pro to Windows 10 Enterprise

Windows 10 Enterprise to Windows 10 Education

It also appears each can happen in the reverse direction as well if necessitated by your circumstances.

Again - with the caveat being that you are properly licensed for each version of Windows 10 and its specific SKU.

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But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

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About the Author(s)

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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