To download, install and activate Windows 10 Enterprise, create installation media with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool, install Windows 10 Pro (22H2), then upgrade to Enterprise by entering your Enterprise key under Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Change product key. Windows switches edition without reinstalling; confirm with slmgr /dlv.
Important: Windows 10 support status
Before you buy or deploy, please be aware that Windows 10, including Enterprise version 22H2, reached the end of support on 14 October 2025. Microsoft no longer provides free security updates, feature updates or technical support for it. Windows 10 still installs, activates and runs normally, but an unpatched system becomes more exposed to new threats over time.
Organisations that need to keep Windows 10 Enterprise devices in service can enrol them in Microsoft's commercial Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme, which provides critical and important security updates for up to three years after end of support (until October 2028). ESU is bought per device, one year at a time, through volume licensing or a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider, and devices must run version 22H2. The separate consumer ESU offer is designed for personal Home and Pro devices rather than Enterprise. For new deployments, we recommend considering Windows 11; our Windows 11 Pro installation guide covers that route.
Who should still install Windows 10 Enterprise?
Windows 10 Enterprise remains a practical choice in a few situations: line-of-business software or hardware drivers that have not yet been certified for Windows 11, specialist equipment such as lab, point-of-sale or manufacturing PCs, and organisations running a planned migration that need a consistent fleet in the meantime. In each case, enrol the devices in ESU, keep them behind a properly managed firewall, keep Microsoft Defender and your other security software up to date, and set a target date for moving to Windows 11. If you are building a new PC with no legacy constraints, Windows 11 is the better long-term investment.
Windows 10 Pro vs Enterprise: what you gain
Enterprise includes everything in Pro and adds security and management features aimed at organisations with an IT team. The most commonly used differences are:
| Feature | Windows 10 Pro | Windows 10 Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| BitLocker, Hyper-V, Remote Desktop host, domain join | Yes | Yes |
| Group Policy and Microsoft Entra ID join | Yes | Yes |
| Credential Guard (virtualisation-based credential protection) | No | Yes |
| AppLocker application control | No | Yes |
| DirectAccess and BranchCache | No | Yes |
| Start and taskbar layout control, advanced telemetry and UX policies | Limited | Full |
| Windows To Go (removed in later builds) | No | Yes |
If none of these features matter to you, Windows 10 Pro (or Pro for Workstations for high-end hardware) may be enough. If they do, Enterprise is the right edition.
What you need before you start
- Your Windows 10 Enterprise product key, emailed instantly after payment (a MAK or retail-style 25-character key).
- A PC that meets the requirements below, or an existing Windows 10 Pro installation to upgrade.
- A USB flash drive of at least 8 GB for a clean installation.
- An internet connection for downloading media and activating online.
- A backup of your files before reinstalling.
| Component | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster compatible processor or SoC |
| Memory | 1 GB for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit |
| Storage | 32 GB free space (64-bit recommended) |
| Graphics | DirectX 9 or later with a WDDM 1.0 driver |
| Display | 800 × 600 or higher |
| Starting edition for upgrade | Windows 10 Pro, Pro for Workstations or Education (Home must first be upgraded to Pro) |
Step 1: Download Windows 10
Microsoft's public Windows 10 download page still offers the Media Creation Tool for version 22H2. Its media contains the Home, Pro and Education editions but not Enterprise. That is not a problem: the supported method for individual Enterprise licences is to install Pro and upgrade it with your Enterprise key. Organisations with a Microsoft volume licensing agreement can alternatively download Enterprise ISO files from the Microsoft 365 admin center.
- On a working Windows PC, open the Windows 10 download page and click Download tool now under Create Windows 10 installation media.
- Run MediaCreationTool22H2.exe and accept the licence terms.
- Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.
- Select your language (for example English (United Kingdom)), Windows 10 and 64-bit (x64).
- Choose USB flash drive, select your drive and let the tool download and write the files. Everything on the USB drive will be erased.
- Skip this step entirely if the PC already runs Windows 10 Pro; you can go straight to Step 3.
Step 2: Install Windows 10 Pro
- Insert the USB drive and restart the PC. Use the boot menu key (often F12, F11, F8 or Esc) to boot from USB.
- Choose your language, time and keyboard settings and click Install now.
- When asked for a product key, click I don't have a product key. Do not enter your Enterprise key here, as the media does not contain Enterprise.
- Select Windows 10 Pro from the list of editions and accept the licence terms.
- Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced), select the target drive and click Next.
- After the installation restarts, complete setup. On Pro you can choose Set up for an organisation to join a domain or Microsoft Entra ID, or Domain join instead for a local account.
- Install drivers and run Windows Update before upgrading the edition.
For more detail on the Pro installation itself, see our Windows 10 Pro installation guide, which also covers Windows 10 Pro for Workstations.
Step 3: Upgrade to and activate Windows 10 Enterprise
Changing the product key from Pro to Enterprise is a supported in-place edition upgrade documented in Microsoft's Windows edition upgrade guide. Your apps, files and settings are kept.
Method A: through Settings
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
- Click Change product key.
- Enter your 25-character Windows 10 Enterprise key and click Next.
- Click Start (or Activate) when prompted. Windows applies the Enterprise edition and may restart.
- After restarting, return to the Activation page and confirm it reads Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows is activated with a digital licence or Windows is activated.
Method B: from the command line
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the following commands. This is useful for remote or scripted deployments:
- Install the key:
slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX - Activate online:
slmgr /ato - Check the result:
slmgr /dlv - If the edition does not switch from Pro after installing the key, use
changepk.exe /ProductKey XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXXinstead, then restart. - Without internet access, run
slui 4and choose telephone activation.
How to verify activation
- Run
winver: the dialog should show Windows 10 Enterprise, Version 22H2. - Run
slmgr /xpr: you should see that the machine is permanently activated. - Run
slmgr /dlv: License Status should read Licensed; a MAK key shows a channel such as VOLUME_MAK. - In Settings > Update & Security > Activation, the edition should read Windows 10 Enterprise with no activation warnings.
- If the edition already shows Enterprise but activation is still pending, keep the PC online for a few minutes and run
slmgr /atoagain before trying telephone activation.
Activating Enterprise on several PCs
If your order includes a Multiple Activation Key (MAK), the same key can activate a set number of PCs. To keep deployment tidy:
- Install Windows 10 Pro on each machine using the same USB drive, then apply the key with
slmgr /ipkandslmgr /ato, ideally from a script or remote management tool. - Keep a record of which PCs have been activated, so you know how many activations remain.
- Organisations managing many devices can use the free Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT), part of the Windows ADK, to install and activate MAK keys centrally and track their status.
- When a PC is retired, remember that a MAK activation is not automatically returned; if you rebuild many machines, contact our support team before running out of activations.
After activation checklist
- Run Windows Update to install the final 22H2 cumulative update and any ESU updates your organisation is entitled to.
- Enable BitLocker and, where your hardware supports it, Credential Guard through Group Policy.
- Store your order email and key securely; you will need the key if the PC is rebuilt.
Troubleshooting common activation errors
| Error code | Meaning | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 0xC004F050 | The product key is not valid | Re-type the key from your order email, checking similar characters such as B/8 and O/0. |
| 0xC004C003 | The key has been blocked by Microsoft | Contact support@softkeyworld.com with your order number. |
| 0xC004C008 | A MAK key has reached its online activation count | Use telephone activation with slui 4, or contact our support team. |
| 0x8007232B or 0xC004F074 | A KMS client key is installed and no KMS host is available | Install your own key with slmgr /ipk, then run slmgr /ato. |
| 0x8007007B | The key format or edition is wrong for this installation | Confirm the PC runs Pro, not Home, and enter the key again. |
| 0xC004F069 | The key does not match the installed edition | Upgrade from Pro using changepk.exe or Settings, rather than from Home. |
Frequently asked questions
Can I upgrade Windows 10 Pro to Enterprise without reinstalling?
Yes. Entering a Windows 10 Enterprise key in Change product key upgrades Pro to Enterprise in place, keeping your files and apps. Home must be upgraded to Pro first.
Is Windows 10 Enterprise still supported in 2026?
Standard Windows 10 Enterprise 22H2 reached end of support on 14 October 2025. Organisations can buy Extended Security Updates for up to three years. LTSC releases of Windows 10 Enterprise follow their own, separate lifecycle dates.
Where can I download a Windows 10 Enterprise ISO?
Microsoft provides Enterprise ISOs to volume licensing customers. For individual licences, use the public Media Creation Tool, install Pro and switch to Enterprise with your key.
What is the difference between Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise?
Enterprise adds features for managed organisations, such as Credential Guard, AppLocker, DirectAccess, BranchCache and advanced device management controls, on top of everything in Pro.
Can I move from Windows 10 Enterprise to Windows 11?
Yes, if the PC meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements (including TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot). Check with your IT team or contact our support team before upgrading so you choose the right Windows 11 edition and licence for your organisation.
How fast is the key delivered?
Your key is emailed instantly after payment. More help is available on our download and activation page.
Get your Windows 10 Enterprise key
If your organisation needs Windows 10 Enterprise for compatibility with existing systems, a genuine Windows 10 Enterprise licence from Softkeyworld is emailed instantly after payment and covered by our 7-day return policy. Remember to plan for Extended Security Updates or a move to Windows 11, and contact support@softkeyworld.com if you need any help activating.