Windows 11 Home vs Pro: what’s the difference?
Quick answer
Windows 11 Pro includes everything in Home, plus BitLocker drive encryption, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox and Group Policy. Choose Home for everyday personal use and gaming. Choose Pro for work, security or virtual machines. You can upgrade from Home to Pro at any time with a Pro key, without reinstalling.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Device encryption | Yes (on supported devices) | Yes |
| BitLocker drive encryption | No | Yes |
| Remote Desktop (host) | No | Yes |
| Hyper-V virtual machines | No | Yes |
| Windows Sandbox | No | Yes |
| Group Policy | No | Yes |
| Join a work domain | No | Yes |
| Maximum RAM | 128 GB | 2 TB |
Who should choose Pro?
Choose Windows 11 Pro if you work remotely, handle sensitive files, run virtual machines, or manage several PCs. Home users who only browse, study and play games will not miss anything in Windows 11 Home.
How to upgrade from Home to Pro
- Open Settings › System › Activation.
- Select Change product key.
- Enter your 25-character Windows 11 Pro key.
- Windows installs the Pro features and restarts. Your files and apps stay in place.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windows 11 Pro better for gaming?
No. Gaming performance is the same on Home and Pro. Pro only adds business and security features.
Do I lose my files when upgrading to Pro?
No. Upgrading from Home to Pro with a product key keeps your files, settings and apps.
