It merely triggers the upgrade process and still requires final payment for the upgrade to become active, or an authentic Windows 7 Pro, 8 Pro or 10 Pro license key. However, it is important to note this free key does not give you a free activated Windows 10 Pro license. It allows a user to enter a free key to initiate the upgrade process. The new upgrade path was discovered, in Microsoft’s community forums in response to a user’s troubles with the upgrade process. Microsoft has announced (although rather quietly) a new and easy way to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro if you were having troubles upgrading your Windows 7 or 8 Pro license.