Unlike macOS, Windows comes in different versions. Windows 11 Home is the most common version designed for everyday use, while Windows 11 Pro is for professionals and business users who want maximum security and useful remote features.
Most PCs and laptops mostly come with Windows 11 Home out of the box. It is enough for most users. However, if you need specific features for enhanced device security and remote access, Windows 11 Pro is a strong option, especially for professionals who handle sensitive information and for businesses that need to access devices remotely when staff are away from home.
If you are a beginner, choosing between Windows 11 Home and Pro can be confusing, especially since they look almost identical and it’s hard to tell them apart at first. In this guide, you will learn the differences between Home and Pro and which one you should choose.
What do Windows 11 Home and Pro have in common?
Windows 11 Pro is basically an extension of Windows 11 Home. Compared to Windows 11 Home, it adds a few extra features designed for business and professionals. However, both versions share most basic, everyday features.
Starting with the interface, both look and feel similar and support the same core Windows features, everyday apps, and software. Both also support Windows Hello, Secure Boot, Find My Device, and receive frequent Windows security updates.
For security, both Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro include a firewall and network protection, support Windows Hello sign-in options, and support Secure Boot on compatible hardware.
Microsoft also offers basic device encryption in Windows 11 Home on supported PCs. However, full BitLocker management is only available on Windows 11 Pro, which you can learn about in the next section.
Since every major core feature of Windows is the same, and every app runs without any issues, and both versions have support for everyday apps and software, you won’t find much difference between them if your main activities include: accessing Windows core features, browsing, video calls, editing videos, documents, streaming, browsing, and gaming. However, keep in mind that while Windows 11 Home and Pro offer the basics for everyday users, performance depends on your PC hardware, including the processor, memory, and graphics card.
Even if you initially choose Windows 11 Home, you can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro without extra hardware.
The Pro features that can change your decision
Windows 11 Pro is designed for people who care about security and want to control their PC when they are away from home. The biggest difference is BitLocker encryption: Windows 11 Home offers only basic device encryption on supported PCs, while Windows 11 Pro offers full BitLocker management, so if you lose your PC and someone accesses your encrypted storage without authorization, they can’t easily retrieve your data.
This is especially useful for businesses with confidential information, so Windows 11 Pro makes more sense. Windows 11 Pro offers BitLocker encryption and supports Remote Desktop hosting, which isn’t available in Windows 11 Home. A Windows 11 Pro-supported PC can act as a Remote Desktop host, so you can connect to it from another device when you are away from home. This is especially useful when you are away from home and want to access an important file or use an important application that’s installed on your device.
Another Windows 11 Pro-exclusive feature is Windows Sandbox, which lets you run a temporary, isolated Windows environment on your computer, especially useful for running risky applications that may contain malware and could damage or access sensitive files on your device.
Windows 11 Pro also supports Hyper-V virtual machines, where you can install another version of Windows on your laptop and test your software.
This is especially useful for developers testing your app on various Windows versions. Another major difference is the Group Policy Editor, which lets Windows 11 Pro users access admin controls and advanced Windows settings.
It is not just software; Windows 11 Pro also extends your hardware capabilities. For instance, Windows 11 Home supports up to 128 GB of memory, while Pro supports up to 2 TB. Another big difference is price; Pro costs more because of these extra features.
Checking your edition before you set up or upgrade
The best part of Windows 11 Pro is that you can upgrade from Windows 11 Home. Even if you are currently using Windows 11 Home or chose Windows 11 when buying a new laptop or computer, you can easily upgrade to Windows 11 Pro later.
To check which version of Windows you are using, go to Settings > System > About and look under Windows specifications. Then open System > Activation to check its activation status. If you are on Windows 11, you can compare the features. Nerdused carries Windows 11 product keys, and this Windows 11 Home vs Pro guide can help you review the differences as you decide.
Upgrading from Home to Pro without a clean reinstall
As I said before, you can also upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro without losing your files or reinstalling Windows. First, make sure Windows 11 Home is activated.
For safety, I highly recommend backing up your important files and installing all available Windows updates.
Once done, open Settings, go to System, then Activation. From there, click Change next to Change product key. Enter a valid Windows 11 product key, then follow the on-screen instructions to upgrade.
If you don’t have the key, select Upgrade your Windows, open the Store, purchase one from the Microsoft Store, then restart and follow the on-screen instructions, restarting the PC if prompted. Then return to Settings > System > Activation and confirm your device is running Windows 11 Pro.
To summarise, choose Windows 11 Home if you mainly use your device for browsing, gaming, video editing, office work, and other everyday tasks.
However, choose Windows 11 Pro if you are a professional or want advanced security features such as BitLocker encryption and remote control of your device while you are away from home. You can test different Windows versions and install one inside your current Windows. Support for features such as Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V, and business management tools.