Windows 11, just like previous versions of Windows, comes in multiple editions (sometimes called SKUs). Each edition offers different features meant for various types of users, though most Windows 11 SKUs are lesser-known editions designed for enterprise scenarios. For the general public, there are two main editions you’ll find — Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro. As the name suggests, Windows 11 Pro is the more feature-rich edition, but most laptops come with the Home edition. In this guide, we’ll show you how to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro, and why you might want to do so.
Why should you want Windows 11 Pro?
As we previously mentioned, Windows 11 Pro contains certain features that the Home edition doesn’t have, but what exactly are you missing? Well, for most users, you’re probably just fine with Windows 11 Home. As the name suggests, the features in the Pro edition are more geared towards professionals and enterprise-managed PCs. Typically, business laptops ship with Windows 11 Pro by default. Still, there are valid reasons to want it for personal use. Here’s a quick look at the differences between these two:
|
Feature |
Windows 11 Home |
Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
|
Requires Microsoft account for setup |
Yes |
Only for personal use |
|
Join Active Directory/Azure AD |
No |
Yes |
|
Hyper-V |
No |
Yes |
|
Windows Sandbox |
No |
Yes |
|
Microsoft Remote Desktop |
Client only |
Yes |
|
BitLocker device encryption |
No |
Yes |
|
Windows Information Protection |
No |
Yes |
|
Mobile device management (MDM) |
No |
Yes |
|
Group Policy |
No |
Yes |
|
Enterprise State Roaming with Azure |
No |
Yes |
|
Assigned Access |
No |
Yes |
|
Dynamic Provisioning |
No |
Yes |
|
Windows Update for Business |
No |
Yes |
|
Kiosk mode |
No |
Yes |
|
Maximum RAM |
128GB |
2TB |
|
Maximum no. of CPUs |
1 |
2 |
|
Maximum no. of CPU cores |
64 |
128 |
One of the best Pro-exclusive features is BitLocker encryption, which helps protect data on your PC from external attackers. Encrypting your data means that only you can access it, and that’s important if you’re worried about data privacy and security.
Another must-have exclusive feature is Remote Desktop support. This lets you remotely connect to your PC and control it from anywhere, which can be very useful for PCs you leave at the office, for example. There’s also support for Hyper-V virtualization, which lets you create and run virtual machines so you can test specific environments or risky software without damaging your host PC. However, it’s worth noting that a few apps offer similar tools if you decide to stick with Windows 11 Home. VMware Workstation Player is one such app designed for running virtual machines, and TeamViewer is also good for accessing remote PCs. You don’t necessarily need Windows 11 Pro.
More niche Windows 11 Pro features include the ability to join Azure Active Directory or a business domain. Originally, Windows 11 Pro allowed you to set up your device with a local account out of the box, but as of the time of writing, an internet connection is required for both editions. Plus, you need a Microsoft account to set up Windows 11 Pro for personal use. There is a workaround for that in both editions, though.
How to buy a new Windows 11 Pro license
If you’re set on upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Pro and you don’t have a Pro license yet, you can buy the upgrade directly from the Microsoft Store. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app.
- Click System in the menu on the left.
- Choose Activation.
- Expand the Upgrade your edition of Windows section to see your options. To buy an upgrade to Windows 11 Pro, click Open Store.
- You’ll see a feature comparison between Home and Pro editions of Windows with the option to buy the upgrade. Since Windows 10 and Windows 11 licenses are the same, the Microsoft Store shows both operating systems, but it will work all the same.
- Click Get for $99.00 to buy the new license. Pricing may vary depending on the region you’re in.
- You’ll need to enter your password and fill in your billing details if you haven’t already.
- Once you buy and apply the upgrade, your PC has to restart to enable the new features.
Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro with a product key
If you already have a product key for Windows 11 Pro, you can activate it using these steps:
- Navigate to the Activation page in the Windows 11 Settings app (as shown above), then click Change next to Change product key.
- You’ll be asked for administrator permission to run the Windows Activation tool, then you can enter your Windows 11 Pro product key.
- Once the key is validated, you’ll need to restart your PC to enable the Pro features.
Related
5 reasons to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro
Do you need Windows 11 Pro or is the Home edition good enough? Here are a few reasons why you might want to upgrade.
Windows 11 Home and Pro are actually based on the same installation files, so you don’t have to reinstall Windows or anything to upgrade. A simple restart will configure your version of Windows, and you’ll be good to go the next time you use your PC.
If your laptop can’t run Windows 11, or you’re just looking for a device upgrade, you can check out our list of the best laptops. Or, if you have an older computer you want to update, keep in mind that you can update to Windows 11 Pro from Windows 10 Home so long as you purchase the product key and your computer can support the OS — but you will need to download a sizable update.