You have two basic choices when buying Windows 11. Home and Pro. Which is better for your needs? We break it all down.
Table of
Contents
All windows users should be on Windows 11 because Windows 10
is now out of support and no longer getting security updates. But should you
choose the Home or Pro edition of Windows 11? With either you get many
improvements over the older desktop OS version including better core apps
exciting Coplilot AI features helpful window snapping conveniences improved
security and a more cohesive interface. The latest version also includes
features that improve gaming such as Auto HDR and DirectStorage.
But whether you plan to buy a new PC with Windows 11
preinstalled or upgrade your existing machine you still have to choose between
home and pro. We walk you through the key differences in greater detail below. But
here is the upshot Windows 11 home is best for most people whereas Windows 11
pro is primarily for business and IT professionals who need to manage multiple
PCs and require enhanced security.
Wat
features are common to both windows 11 home and pro?
- Both editions of Windows 11 come with all the headliner feature
- Widgets panel with news weather finance and sports info.
- Updated Windows Backup tool.
- Updated voice typing for hand free text entry.
- Updated utility apps such as Media Player and Photos
- Snap layouts for arranging and organizing app windows.
- Powerful screenshot tool with video capture
- Native passkey support for increased security
- Live captions that work with any audio playing on the PC
- Gaming enhancements like Auto HDR DirectStorage and improved game mode.
- Focus sessions to shut out distractions temporarily when you want to get work done.
- Copilot generative AI for image generation research rewriting and more
- File explorer with tabs
- Clipchamp video editor
- Bluetooth quick pairing.
Not a huge
difference but pro costs more
To upgrade an existing Windows 10 PC that meets the hardware
requirements for Windows 11 it does not cost anything. That is true for both
Windows 11 home and Windows 11 pro. It is a free upgrade so price is not a
consideration. For guidance on the process see how to upgrade to Windows 11.
If you buy a new PC to get Windows 11 you would not see a
huge difference in price whether you choose Home or Pro. For Example if you are
shopping for a Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6 switching from Home to Pro adds only
$40. If you install the Windows 11 on a home built PC you need to buy a license
key. A home license costs $139.99 and a pro license costs $199.99 a difference
of $60.
If you want to upgrade from home to Pro you can do so in the
Microsoft Store app or buy a Pro license key and enter it in settings >
System > Activation as shown below. The list price for a home to pro upgrade
is $99.99.
What
features do you get only with Windows 11 pro?
- According to the Microsoft Store documentation these features are exclusive to Windows 11 Pro.
- Remote Desktop control
- Hyper V for creating and running virtual machines
- Private Catalog to access your company apps through a dedicated section in the Microsoft store.
- BitLocker which helps protect data with enhanced encryption and security management.
- Ability to join Azure Directory and connect to your school business or corporate network via the cloud.
- Ability to join a domain and connect to your business or corporate network.
Security Differences
In term of Security windows 11 home includes the standard
windows security features such as app control device security such as core
isolation (protects the central Windows kernel) and TPM support family options
firewall and network protections and virus and threat protection.
Both home and pro include a device encryption option but Pro
BitLocker feature is more robust allowing an administrator to remotely encrypt
a PC.
Windows 11 pro also adds security features for organizations
IT departments that manage a workforce for OC called Microsoft Purview Information
Protection and Microsoft Purview data loss prevention. They let companies
separate personal applications from work applications on the computer. They also
scan the machines for unwanted content restrict sharing and automatically
remove content that could pose a threat.
Which Windows
11 is right for you?
The choice between windows 11 home and windows 11 pro is quite straightforward. For nearly every individual home is the way to go. It includes all the standard operating system features. You should consider the more expensive Windows 11 Pro only if you are managing multiple computers and need BitLocker encryption remote control or virtualization features.
