Windows 11 Home vs. Windows 11 Pro: I compared both versions, and here’s my upgrade advice
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It’s hard to believe, but Windows 11 is nearly five years old, and it brought significant changes when it launched. Many of its core functions are similar to Windows 10, as Microsoft focused on other aspects, such as revamping the visual design, enhancing system performance, and introducing new features, including support for Android apps.
Later updates expanded Windows 11 with interesting additions, such as the AI-powered Copilot.
Also: 9 things I always do after setting up Windows 11 – and why you should too
Like previous versions, Microsoft also offers Windows 11 Pro, a more feature-rich edition aimed primarily at power users. It provides access to advanced tools not available in the Home version, plus deeper control over system settings and enhanced security options.
On paper, having more control over your PC sounds great, but is it really worth the money? In this comparison, I will break down the key differences between Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro, helping you decide which edition is a better fit for your needs and workflow.
Specifications
| Features | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
| Core Experience | Full Windows 11 UI, Snap Layouts, Widgets, Clipchamp, AutoHDR, Game Mode, Taskbar Personalization, Android app support, Copilot | Full Windows 11 UI, Snap Layouts, Widgets, Clipchamp, AutoHDR, Game Mode, Taskbar Personalization, Android app support, Copilot |
| Security | Windows Hello, Device Encryption, Windows Defender Antivirus, Firewall, SmartScreen, Family Safety | Windows Hello, Device Encryption, Windows Defender Antivirus, Firewall, SmartScreen, Family Safety, BitLocker Drive Encryption, Credential Guard |
| Business | Enterprise State Roaming, Microsoft Intune | Azure Active Directory, Domain Join, Group Policy Editor, Assigned Access, Mobile Device Management, Enterprise State Roaming, Microsoft Intune |
| Virtualization | None | Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox |
| Remote Access | Connects to other PCs via Remote Desktop | Full Remote Desktop hosting, Quick Assist |
| Processor support | 1 CPU, 64 cores | 2 CPUs, 128 cores |
| Prices | Free | $199 |
You should choose Windows 11 Home if…
1. You are the average user and prefer simplicity
If your PC is mainly used for everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, or light productivity, Windows 11 Home delivers the full Windows experience without adding extra complexity. The operating system includes all the features that matter to the typical user: the easy-to-navigate interface, Snap Layouts for multitasking, built-in security, and gaming enhancers like AutoHDR.
In daily use, Home functions almost exactly like Windows 11 Pro. The latter doesn’t provide any speed boost or performance advantage.
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Home is ready to use right away. It doesn’t overwhelm non-technical users with advanced system controls. Software patches are automatically applied, keeping your system up to date without requiring manual management. And you can feel safe knowing that your PC is protected. Windows Defender provides strong protection against malware and other online threats.
2. You’re on a budget
Windows 11 Home is also the smarter choice if you want to keep things affordable. First off, the operating system is technically free if you’re upgrading from an eligible Windows 10 computer. You can use Microsoft’s Windows 11 Installation Assistant to install Windows 11 on your PC, or create a USB installation device to set it up on another computer.
It’s also preinstalled on every new Windows PC, giving you a complete operating system right out of the box. As noted earlier, Home includes all the features most users will want.
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By comparison, Windows 11 Pro is more expensive, costing around $200 for a full license or $100 to upgrade from Windows 11 Home. I should mention that if you build your own PC from scratch and you want Windows 11 Home, you’ll need to pay for a license, which costs $139.
It is possible to find discounted Windows 11 Pro product keys online for less than $30 on certain third-party websites. However, I don’t recommend purchasing them, as they come from grey-market sources and may be illegitimate. You’ll find reports of people online purchasing a Pro product key from these platforms only to discover that the code has already been used, losing them time and money.
You should choose Windows 11 Pro if…
1. You want greater control over your system
Windows 11 Pro is built for users who want to fine-tune their system to the Nth degree, manage security more precisely, and defer updates. The main tool for making these changes is the Group Policy Editor, which lets users customize and enforce system behaviors that aren’t accessible in Windows 11 Home.
For example, you could restrict certain features, decide which background services are running, as well as adjust security policies. I wouldn’t recommend doing this, but it is possible to permanently disable Microsoft Defender through this method.
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Other notable, exclusive features of Windows 11 Pro include BitLocker encryption to protect your data, Full Remote Desktop hosting, and support for Azure Active Directory, allowing you to connect to your school, businesses, or other corporate entities.
2. You rely on virtualization tools
One of the reasons I chose Windows 11 Pro for my desktop is its support for virtualization tools. If you don’t know what these are, these features allow users to create and manage virtual machines, or VMs for short. These are isolated digital environments where you can test software, experiment with different operating systems, or run another copy of Windows 11 without it affecting your main system.
My favorite is Hyper-V, Microsoft’s built-in virtualization platform. I’ve used it in the past to run applications in a closed-off environment that I didn’t want affecting my PC. Another useful feature is Windows Sandbox. This lets you open untrusted files in a temporary safe location.
Once Sandbox is closed, everything inside is wiped clean. For anyone planning to test apps or systems, Windows 11 Pro is well worth the upgrade.
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