Unable to Select Windows Version or Edition During Installation

During the installation of the Windows operating system using installation media, users typically encounter an option to pick their preferred version or edition, such as Windows Pro or Windows Home. However, some individuals are unable to select the Windows edition or version while installing. If you find yourself facing this issue, the solutions outlined in this article are designed to assist you.

Reasons for Not Being Able to Select Windows Version During Installation

On contemporary devices, the license for Windows 11/10 is integrated directly into the motherboard. This license usually corresponds to the Home edition. If you wish to utilize Windows 11/10 Pro, you will need to acquire its license key from the Microsoft Store. Once you have this key, you can upgrade from Windows Home to Windows Pro by entering the new product key.

When you carry out a clean installation of Windows, the OS automatically retrieves the license information from the motherboard. This is why the prompt for entering the license key and choosing the Windows edition doesn’t pop up during the installation process.

Unable to Select Windows Version During Installation

If you are facing difficulties in selecting the Windows version or edition during the installation process, follow these steps:

1. Create a new bootable USB drive with the Windows ISO
2. Create a Notepad file and place it in the Sources folder

Below, I will detail each of these steps:

Begin by downloading the Windows 11/10 ISO file from the official Microsoft website. Alternatively, you can use the Media Creation Tool to obtain the ISO file. Next, use a third-party utility, such as Rufus, to create a bootable USB drive containing the Windows 11/10 ISO.

Afterward, open Notepad and input the following text:

[EditionID]
Professional
[Channel]
Retail

Copy this code into Notepad and save the file. Navigate to File > Save or press Ctrl + S. Name the file “ei.cfg” and select All files in the file type dropdown. Be sure to keep the quotation marks intact.

Connect your newly created bootable USB drive to your PC and open the Sources folder within the installation media. Paste the ei.cfg file you just saved into this folder.

If your aim is to install Windows 11/10 Home Edition but you’re unable to select it during installation, use the following code in the Notepad:

[EditionID]
Core
[Channel]
Retail

Alternatively, after the installation of Windows, you can switch your product key from Home to Professional by following these instructions:

1. Access Windows Settings.
2. Navigate to System > Activation.
3. Click to expand the Upgrade your edition of Windows section.
4. Select the Change button next to the Change product key option.
5. Input your Windows 11/10 Pro key and click Next.

That’s all there is to it. I hope you find this information helpful.

What Could Cause Windows 11 23H2 to Not Install?

Numerous factors could prevent Windows 11 23H2 from successfully installing, such as conflicts with antivirus software or corrupted Windows Update components. Consider disabling your antivirus temporarily and retrying the update. You might also want to try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter and resetting the Windows Update components.

How Can I Address Windows Update Installation Errors in Windows 11?

When attempting to install Windows Updates in Windows 11, you may encounter various error messages. A wide range of issues can contribute to a Windows Update failure. To resolve these issues, consider performing repairs on your system image files, resetting the Windows Update components, and running the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

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