Learn how to force Windows Setup to install Windows 11 Pro instead of Windows 11 Home using the ei.cfg and PID.txt method. This complete guide works with bootable USB drives created using Rufus or Microsoft's Media Creation Tool.
Have you ever downloaded the official Windows 11 ISO, created a bootable USB drive, started the installation, and discovered that Windows installs Windows 11 Home instead of Windows 11 Pro?
This is one of the most common problems Windows users face, especially after replacing a hard drive, upgrading to an SSD, or performing a clean installation on a laptop that originally shipped with Windows Home.
Many users believe they downloaded the wrong ISO file. Others think Rufus or the Media Creation Tool created the USB incorrectly. In reality, neither is usually the problem.
Most modern computers store the original Windows license inside the motherboard firmware (UEFI BIOS). During installation, Windows Setup automatically reads that embedded key and installs the matching edition without asking which version you want.
Fortunately, Microsoft provides a supported way to tell Windows Setup which edition to install by using two simple configuration files: ei.cfg and PID.txt.
In this complete ALL PC GEEK guide, you'll learn exactly how these files work, how to create them, where to place them, and how to force Windows 11 Professional to install correctly.
What You'll Learn
- Why Windows keeps installing Home Edition
- How OEM product keys work
- How to create ei.cfg correctly
- How to create PID.txt correctly
- Where both files must be placed
- How to install Windows 11 Professional successfully
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
Why Does Windows 11 Automatically Install Home Edition?
The answer is simple: OEM activation.
Manufacturers such as Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, MSI, Samsung, Huawei, Microsoft Surface, and many others embed a Windows product key directly into the motherboard firmware during manufacturing.
Unlike older computers that included a Windows product key sticker, modern PCs store the license digitally inside the UEFI firmware.
When Windows Setup starts, it automatically checks the firmware for an embedded product key.
If it finds one, Windows skips the edition selection screen and installs the edition that matches that key.
For example:
| Embedded License | Windows Setup Installs |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 Home OEM Key | Windows 11 Home |
| Windows 11 Pro OEM Key | Windows 11 Professional |
| No Embedded Key | Edition Selection Screen Appears |
What Are ei.cfg and PID.txt?
These are two small text configuration files recognized by Windows Setup.
They tell the installer which Windows edition you want before the installation begins.
Instead of relying on the embedded OEM key, Setup follows the instructions stored in these files.
This method has been used for many years and also works with Windows 10 installation media.
What Does ei.cfg Do?
The ei.cfg file tells Windows Setup which edition and distribution channel to use.
For Windows 11 Pro, the configuration looks like this:
[EditionID] Professional [Channel] Retail [VL] 0
Each section has a specific purpose:
- EditionID specifies the Windows edition.
- Channel tells Setup to use the Retail channel.
- VL indicates whether the media uses Volume Licensing (0 = No).
What Does PID.txt Do?
The PID.txt file provides a generic installation key used only during setup.
It does not permanently activate Windows.
Instead, it simply tells the installer to install Windows 11 Professional.
[PID] Value=VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
This generic key is published by Microsoft and is intended for installation purposes only. After installation, you'll still need a genuine Windows 11 Pro license or a valid digital license linked to your Microsoft account to activate Windows.
Requirements Before You Begin
Before creating the required files, make sure you have everything needed for a successful installation.
- Windows 11 multi-edition ISO
- Bootable USB created with Rufus or Media Creation Tool
- USB flash drive (8 GB or larger recommended)
- Notepad or another plain-text editor
- A valid Windows 11 Pro license for activation after installation (if needed)
Once everything is ready, you can create the required configuration files and add them to your bootable USB drive.
Step 1 – Open Your Windows 11 Bootable USB
Insert your Windows 11 bootable USB drive into your computer.
Open File Explorer and navigate to your USB drive. You should see several folders and installation files that Windows Setup uses during installation.
Locate the folder named:
sources
The sources folder contains important Windows installation files. Both ei.cfg and PID.txt must be placed inside this folder for Windows Setup to recognize them.
Do not place these files in the root of the USB drive or inside another folder. If they are not inside the sources folder, Windows Setup will ignore them.
Step 2 – Create the ei.cfg File
The first file you need is ei.cfg. This file tells Windows Setup which edition to install.
Open Notepad and copy the following text exactly as shown:
[EditionID] Professional [Channel] Retail [VL] 0
After copying the code:
- Click File → Save As.
- Change Save as type to All Files (*.*).
- Set Encoding to UTF-8.
- Save the file as ei.cfg.
Be sure that the filename is exactly ei.cfg. If Windows hides file extensions, you may accidentally create a file named ei.cfg.txt, which will not work.
Step 3 – Create the PID.txt File
Next, create another new Notepad document.
Paste the following code:
[PID] Value=VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
Save it using these settings:
- File name: PID.txt
- Save as type: All Files
- Encoding: UTF-8
Once saved, copy both ei.cfg and PID.txt into the sources folder on your Windows 11 bootable USB.
Your Sources Folder Should Look Like This
sources │ ├── boot.wim ├── install.wim ├── setup.exe ├── ei.cfg └── PID.txt
If both files appear inside the sources folder exactly like this, Windows Setup will read them automatically when the installation starts.
Restart the Windows Installation
Safely eject the USB drive and connect it to the computer where you want to install Windows 11 Pro.
Boot from the USB drive using your computer's boot menu or BIOS settings.
Proceed through the installation as you normally would.
If the files were created correctly, Windows Setup should install Windows 11 Professional instead of automatically selecting Windows 11 Home.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
If the method does not work, check for these common mistakes:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| File saved as ei.cfg.txt | Enable file extensions and rename it to ei.cfg. |
| Files placed outside the sources folder | Move both files into the sources folder. |
| Using a Home-only ISO | Download the official multi-edition Windows 11 ISO. |
| Typing errors in the files | Copy the code exactly as shown. |
| Corrupted USB installer | Recreate the bootable USB using Rufus or the Media Creation Tool. |
Does This Method Activate Windows?
No. This method only controls which Windows edition is installed.
The generic key in PID.txt is an official Microsoft installation key. It is not a permanent license and will not activate Windows.
After installation, you will still need to activate Windows 11 Pro using a genuine product key or a digital license associated with your Microsoft account.
Does This Method Work on All PCs?
Yes. In most cases, this method works on computers that use the official Microsoft Windows Setup and a multi-edition Windows 11 ISO. It is especially useful on laptops that shipped with Windows 11 Home because they contain an embedded OEM product key in the UEFI firmware.
The ei.cfg and PID.txt method has been used by IT professionals, system administrators, and PC technicians for years to control which Windows edition is installed during setup.
It works on many popular computer brands, including:
- Acer
- ASUS
- Dell
- HP
- Lenovo
- MSI
- Samsung
- Huawei
- Toshiba
- Microsoft Surface devices
- Custom-built desktop PCs
- Mini PCs and workstations
As long as your installation media includes the Professional edition, Windows Setup can use these configuration files to install Windows 11 Pro instead of Home.
Why Choose Windows 11 Pro?
While Windows 11 Home is suitable for everyday use, Windows 11 Pro includes additional features designed for professionals, businesses, power users, and advanced home users.
| Feature | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Desktop Host | ❌ | ✅ |
| BitLocker Device Encryption | Limited | ✅ |
| Hyper-V Virtualization | ❌ | ✅ |
| Group Policy Editor | ❌ | ✅ |
| Business Features | Basic | Advanced |
Key Takeaways
- Windows Setup may automatically install Windows Home because of the embedded OEM product key stored in your motherboard.
- The ei.cfg file tells Windows Setup which edition to install.
- The PID.txt file uses Microsoft's official generic installation key to select Windows 11 Pro during setup.
- Both files must be placed inside the sources folder of your bootable USB drive.
- This method changes the installation edition only—it does not activate Windows.
- After installation, activate Windows 11 Pro with a genuine product key or digital license.
- The method also works with many Windows 10 installation media.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use this method with Windows 10?
Yes. The same ei.cfg and PID.txt method also works with many Windows 10 installation media that include multiple editions.
Will this activate Windows 11 Pro?
No. It only selects the edition during installation. Activation requires a valid Windows 11 Pro license.
Is the generic product key legal?
Yes. Microsoft publishes generic installation keys for setup and testing purposes. They are intended for installation only and do not provide permanent activation.
Can I remove the files after installation?
Yes. They only affect installations performed from that specific USB drive. You can delete them or keep them for future installations.
Do I need an internet connection?
No. Creating the files and installing Windows works offline. Internet is only needed if you want to activate Windows online or download updates.
What if Windows still installs Home?
Double-check that the files are named correctly, saved as plain text (not .txt extensions for ei.cfg), and placed inside the sources folder. Also ensure your Windows ISO contains the Professional edition.
Watch the Full Video Tutorial
If you prefer a step-by-step visual guide, watch the complete tutorial on the ALL PC GEEK YouTube channel. The video demonstrates how to create both files, copy them into the correct folder, boot from the USB drive, and install Windows 11 Pro successfully.
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Conclusion
If Windows 11 keeps installing the Home edition even though you want Windows 11 Pro, the problem is usually caused by the embedded OEM product key stored in your computer's firmware—not your ISO or USB installer.
By creating the ei.cfg and PID.txt files and placing them in the correct location, you can instruct Windows Setup to install the Professional edition without modifying the ISO or using unofficial tools.
This method is simple, safe, and widely used by IT professionals. Remember that it only controls the installation edition. To fully activate Windows 11 Pro, you'll still need a genuine product key or digital license.
If this guide helped you, consider sharing it with others who are facing the same issue, and visit ALL PC GEEK for more Windows tutorials, Android guides, AI tools, and PC troubleshooting articles.
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