Is it possible to downgrade form Windows 11 Pro back to Windows 11 Home?

Question

Is it possible to downgrade form Windows 11 Pro back to Windows 11 Home?

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I bought a product key of Windows 11 Pro from ebay and it did not work. The seller sent me two other keys and they also did not work. The problem now is that I am stuck using a non-activated version of Windows 11 Pro and would rather go back to using the activated Windows 11 Home that my system came preinstalled with. Is is possible for me to go back to the Windows 11 Home that was preinstalled?

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Answer 1

DaveM121 946.1K Independent Advisor

If that seller was willing to provide you with two other keys, then the product keys they were selling were not genuine or they were volume licence keys for an organization.

The only working method to go from the Pro edition of Windows to the Home edition is to backup all your files, then create a bootable Windows 11 USB and use that to clean install the Home edition, no other method will work, and if Windows Home came pre-installed on your PC, it will activate automatically after the installation.

Click this link: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

to download the Media Creation Tool (Click on Download Tool Now), with that you can create a bootable USB flash drive on an empty USB flash drive (min 8GB) using that tool

Then, Boot your PC from the Installation Media you just created (change Boot Order in your BIOS) to begin installing Windows 11.

During the installation process skip the steps which ask for a product key and select the option 'I am Reinstalling Windows 11 on this PC'.

N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T11:14:49.6+00:00

The product key also came with a USB; should I use that?
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2026-11-06T11:18:36.3633333+00:00

and how to backup all my files?
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T11:21:12.6533333+00:00

To backup your files, if you use OneDrive to sync your files, then check on OneDrive online (https://onedrive.live.com/) to ensure all your files are safely synced online, or if you do not use OneDrive, you would need to copy all your files out onto a USB flash drive for safe keeping while you reinstall Windows.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T13:13:49.4933333+00:00

Both time I tried to boot from the USB it got to 10% and said "Windows 11 installation failed."
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T13:16:44.9833333+00:00

That is strange, when you start the installation, do you see the internal drive, then delete the partitions on the drive, then start the installation, the files should then copy over to the internal drive, the PC will then restart and the installation begins, at what point in that process is the installation failing.
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2026-11-06T13:17:47.4033333+00:00

I choose partition 0 I think the one that is marked as main.
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T13:19:49.9566667+00:00

Please provide a photo of the window you see showing the partitions on your drive at the start of the installation.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T13:20:42.01+00:00

Would I use print screen or an external photo capturing device?
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T13:24:10.1133333+00:00

If you have booted from the USB, you cannot use print screen, that only works from inside window, you will need to take a photo with a phone or some other device.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T13:35:54.67+00:00
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2026-11-06T13:37:18.1133333+00:00

This time, it didn't fail but instead just stopped and went back to my non-activated Windows 11 Pro.
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T13:37:47.05+00:00

Okay, what happens if you select that option?
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T13:38:43.1333333+00:00

The General UDisk one?
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2026-11-06T13:39:56.09+00:00

This happens:
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T13:40:17.2733333+00:00

Your screenshots indicate you are not booting form the USB, that is some sort of repair, what is the make (Dell, Lenovo, Asus...etc.) of your PC?
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T13:40:56.1966667+00:00

My PC is msi.
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T13:42:36.61+00:00

Insert the USB into your PC.

Start your PC and repeatedly press the F11 key or Fn + F11 to open the temporary boot menu, from there, choose to boot form the USB.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T13:43:08.2133333+00:00

Okay, I'll try that.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T13:47:11.2366667+00:00

Same thing; it failed to install again.
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T13:49:57.1466667+00:00

Okay, are you able to boot into Windows Pro now?
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T13:51:23.7833333+00:00

Right now, I am on Windows 11 Pro (non-activated).
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T13:59:20.3733333+00:00

Okay, then we will try a different method.

Try to carefully follow the tutorial on this link to convert Windows Pro back to Windows Home.

https://www.tenforums.com/threads/downgrade-from-windows-10-pro-to-windows-10-home.183084/

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Standard Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T14:00:57.5133333+00:00

Let me take a look.
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2026-11-06T14:04:33.6166667+00:00

I'm supposed to run setup.exe now but it doesn't do anything.
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T14:06:53.1033333+00:00

Have you performed the first part of the tutorial to download and install the registry file?
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T14:08:57.87+00:00

Yes, I used the file and then deleted it.
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T14:10:27.77+00:00

Okay, then double click the Setup.exe file to begin the in-place repair install, wait a few minutes for that process to start.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T14:11:56.8933333+00:00

So setup.exe is doing something I just can't see it?
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T14:13:29.9233333+00:00

You need to wait for the process to start.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T14:14:33.87+00:00

How long should it take after I click "Yes" for allow changes to this device?
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T14:16:30.6433333+00:00

It may take over 5 minutes for the process to start, please be patient.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T14:16:56.83+00:00

Okay.
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2026-11-06T14:24:12.3633333+00:00

Would setup.exe be listed in Task Manager?
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T14:25:50.5766667+00:00

If Setup.exe has not started yet, restart (not shut down) your PC, then right click Setup.,exe and choose 'Run as Administrator' and wait for it to start.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T14:29:31.0466667+00:00

Is this the right setup.exe?
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T14:33:47.9966667+00:00

Yes, right click that file and select 'Run as Administrator' and then wait for the process to start.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T14:35:21.66+00:00

I have done this twice now and it still did not do anything.
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T14:37:58.04+00:00

Do you have any 3rd party anti-virus installed that may be blocking Setup.exe and also, is that your own PC and is your user account a full administrator account on the PC.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T14:38:57.2766667+00:00

Just Windows Anti-Virus.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T14:39:45.5633333+00:00

My account is full administrator and I am the only user on it.
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T14:41:19.23+00:00

That wont stop setup.exe working.

Okay, run Setup.exe again by right clicking it and selecting 'run as administrator'.

Wait at least 10 minutes for that process to start.

If that is not successful, you will need to take your PC to a PC Shop to ask them to reinstall Windows for you.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T14:51:59.6733333+00:00

Well, it didn't work; should I bring the Windows 11 USB with me to the shop?
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T14:53:19.98+00:00

Yes, it would be best to also bring your Windows bootable USB to the shop, they will be able to get your PC to boot from the USB to reinstall Windows.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T14:54:11.69+00:00

Will they make me pay for the Windows OS?
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T14:56:05.12+00:00

You do not need to purchase a new licence, if Windows was pre-installed on your PC when you reinstall the Home version, it will activate automatically.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T14:57:15.3+00:00

I see. Thank you for your time and patience, I greatly appreciate it!
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T14:58:18.7333333+00:00

Glad to help!
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T15:10:50.95+00:00

Sorry to bother you again! Would a factory reset fix the problem?
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T15:22:17.5433333+00:00

You can try a factory reset, but that will usually just reinstall the exact same version (Pro) as is currently installed on the PC.
N/A 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T15:24:23.9533333+00:00

I'll keep that in mind.
DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-06T15:25:08.2233333+00:00

Okay, glad to help!

Answer 2

Windows 11 Pro cannot be changed in place to Windows 11 Home; reinstall Windows 11 Home, and the device’s existing Home license should reactivate it after the installation connects to the internet.

Microsoft lists Pro → Home as an unsupported edition-downgrade path, so entering a Home key or changing activation settings will not preserve the current Pro installation, applications, and settings.^1^

Reinstall Windows 11 Home

Warning: A clean installation removes personal files, installed applications, settings, and manufacturer customizations. Back up everything needed to external storage or cloud storage first.^2^

From Microsoft’s Windows 11 software download page, download the Media Creation Tool and create a bootable USB installation drive.
Keep the PC connected to power, insert the USB drive, and restart it.
Boot from the USB drive. The key for opening the boot menu varies by manufacturer.
In Windows Setup:
- Select the language and keyboard.
- Select Install Windows 11.
- Accept the warning that files, applications, and settings will be deleted.
If prompted for a product key, select I don’t have a product key. Do not enter any of the eBay Pro keys.
If an edition-selection screen appears, select Windows 11 Home—not Pro.
- The edition must match the device’s Home license.^2^
- If Setup detects the original Home key stored in the PC’s firmware, it may select Home automatically and omit the product-key or edition screen.
On the disk-selection screen, follow Microsoft’s clean-install instructions. If deleting partitions, modify only the Windows system disk; deleting a partition permanently erases its contents.
Complete setup, connect to the internet, and sign in with the Microsoft account previously associated with the device if applicable.
Open Settings → System → Activation. The expected result is that Windows 11 Home activates automatically.

A device with a digital license can reinstall the same edition without entering a key, and Windows normally activates online afterward.^3^

If Home does not activate

Go to Settings → System → Activation → Troubleshoot. The troubleshooter can detect a valid digital license for another installed edition and direct the device to the correct edition.^4^

Automatic reactivation may fail if the motherboard or other significant hardware was replaced, because the license is associated with the device hardware. In that case, use the Activation troubleshooter and the Microsoft account previously linked to the license.^4^

The failed marketplace keys do not need further testing. Request a refund through the seller or marketplace, and do not publish those keys in screenshots or support posts.

References