Windows 11 Home vs Pro differences
Windows 11 Home vs Pro differences can help you decide which Windows 11 (Home or Pro) will provide the features you want to use.
You might already have a Windows 11 Home edition PC and you find it lacking in some features that you need, well read on and checkout the comparison tables below to see what an upgrade to Windows 11 Pro can bring to your PC.
With Windows 11 Pro you get enhanced features to connect to your company networks, access a PC from another, encrypt data and much more. For advanced technical and security features go for PRO edition.
Windows 11 Home vs Pro – Cost
Windows 11 Pro cost USD $99 when upgrading from Windows 11 Home.
Most of the features that come with Windows 11 Pro are what businesses use for their day-to-day operation so extra cost can well be worth it because of the extra security and other features that help you run and control business IT.
Windows 11 Home vs Pro – BitLocker device encryption
BitLocker to Go (requires a USB flash drive). This feature is available in Windows 11 Pro and above editions.
Windows 11 Home vs Pro – Virtualization (Hyper-V)
Windows 11 Home does not include the Hyper-V features that enable you to create Virtual Machines to run different Operating Systems (OS’s) if you want to try out something.
Whereas Windows 11 Pro includes Client Hyper-V – requires a processor with second-level address translation (SLAT) capabilities. This feature is available in Windows 11 Pro edition to enable you to create Virtual Machines that can run isolated applications for testing purposes.
Although Windows Home does not include Hyper-V, you can get other hypervisors such Oracle’s VirtualBox or VMware’s VMPlayer which are both free.
Windows 11 Home vs Pro – Features available to both Editions
Get things done. Have a little fun. Check out some of the new and updated experiences that come in both Windows 11 Home and Pro.
| Feature | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Edge The fast, fun, and secure browser. |  | |
| Microsoft Store Featuring new functionality and more apps.+ | | |
| Snap Layouts Arrange your open windows into perfect grids.1 | | |
| Desktops Switch desktops for better organization.1 | | |
| Microsoft Teams Reach anyone right from your desktop.1 | | |
| Touch, Pen, Voice experience Express yourself in the way you do best.1 | | |
| Widgets Find the things that matter to you—fast. | | |
| Gaming Experience epic and immersive graphics. | | |
Windows 11 Home vs Pro – Enhanced Protection
Advanced protections to defend against today’s cyberthreats. Built-in, routinely updated, and at no extra cost to you.2 That’s Windows Security.
| Feature | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| BitLocker device encryption If your device is lost or stolen, BitLocker puts everything on lockdown, so no one else can access your systems or data.3 |  | |
| Device encryption If you turn on device encryption, only authorized individuals will be able to access your device and data.4 | | |
| Find my device Keep track of your devices—even your digital pen! | | |
| Firewall and network protection Your Windows device comes with built-in security features to help safeguard against viruses, malware, and ransomware. | | |
| Internet protection App & Browser control in Windows Security helps protect your device from potentially dangerous apps, files, websites, and downloads. | | |
| Parental controls and protection Manage screen time, limit access to mature content, and control online purchases when you connect your family’s Microsoft accounts. | | |
| Secure boot Helps prevent malicious software applications and unauthorized operating systems from loading during the system start-up process. | | |
| Windows Hello Uses facial recognition, fingerprint, or PIN, for a fast, secure, and password-free way to unlock your compatible Windows devices.3,5 | | |
| Windows Information Protection (WIP) Helps protect enterprise apps and data against accidental data leaks on enterprise-owned devices and personal devices that employees bring to work.6 | | |
| Windows Security View and manage the security and health of your device. | | |
Business Management and Deployment
Enterprise-grade encryption. Cloud management that enables work from anywhere. It’s just what businesses need, and success demands.
| Feature | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Assigned Access Windows 11 Pro devices run different applications depending on the user and keep individual identities separate and secured. |  | |
| Dynamic Provisioning Take a new PC out of the box, turn it on, and transform it into a productive organization device, with minimal time and effort. | | |
| Enterprise State Roaming with Azure Available to any organization with an Azure AD Premium or Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) license, Enterprise State Roaming provides users with a unified experience across their Windows devices and reduces the time needed for configuring a new device.7 | | |
| Group Policy Manage PCs, user accounts, and groups, and get easy access to files and printers when you pair Windows 11 Pro with Windows Server. * | | |
| Kiosk mode setup Configure a device locally on the device or remotely using Mobile Device Management. | | |
| Microsoft Store for Business Your one place to find, manage, and distribute apps to Windows 11 devices in volume.8 | | |
| Mobile Device Management Mobile Device Management (MDM) provides an alternative to traditional PC management processes so you can transition to cloud-based management at your own pace.9 | | |
| Support for Active Directory Domain Join + Group Policy: IT staff can easily manage PCs, user accounts and groups, security policies, and can get easy access to files and printers when pairing Windows 11 Pro with Windows Server. * | | |
| Support for Azure Active Directory Employees can use a single login across Windows 11, Microsoft 365**, and other Microsoft services, making logons and passwords easier to manage. | | |
| Windows Update for Business Helps reduce management costs, provides control over update deployments, enables efficient delivery of updates, and provides access to the latest innovations. | |
- Features and app availability may vary by region.
- 1 Certain features require specific hardware, see here for full details. Some layouts only available based on display resolution and scale settings. Chatting via SMS is available in limited countries and will be made available to other locations on a rolling basis. Please refer to this page for more details. Internet access required; ISP fees may apply. Feature only available in Windows 11.
- 2 During the device support period provided by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
- 3 Requires TPM 2.0 or greater for TPM based key protection.
- 4 Requires InstantGo/AOAC/HSTI-compliant. More details here.
- 5 Requires specialized hardware, including fingerprint reader, illuminated IR sensor or other biometric sensors and capable devices.
- 6 For Windows 11 Pro: WIP requires either Mobile Device Management (MDM) or System Center Configuration Manager to manage settings.
- 7 Separate subscription for Azure Active Directory Premium required.
- 8 Available in select markets. Functionality and apps may vary by market and device.
- 9 MDM requires an MDM product such as Microsoft Intune or other third-party solutions (sold separately).
- 10 Certain features require specific hardware, see here for full details. Some layouts only available based on display resolution and scale settings. Chatting via SMS is available in limited countries and will be made available to other locations on a rolling basis. Please refer to this page for more details Internet access required, ISP fees may apply.
- 11 Apps that are no longer open will not automatically be put back into place. Apps that come out of full-screen mode when you undock will not be put back into full-screen mode upon redocking but will be placed back as best as possible.
- 12 Hardware and software dependent, requires NVMe SSD with minimum 2.5GB/second read times, DirectStorage API adoption for games.
- + Some apps shown coming later. Certain apps only available through Microsoft Store app in Windows 11.
- * Sold separately.
- ** Microsoft 365 subscription sold separately.
Further Reading: at Microsoft – Windows 11 Home or Pro
Related Posts: Can I Upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 for Free?
How to Upgrade to Windows 11 without TPM 2.0
