Windows 11 Home vs Pro (2026): Which One Should You Buy?
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Last updated: October 22, 2026
Quick answer: Buy Windows 11 Home if you use your PC for browsing, streaming, school, gaming and everyday work. Buy Windows 11 Pro if you need to host Remote Desktop connections, manage BitLocker encryption, use the Group Policy Editor, join a work domain, or run Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox. Both editions have the same look, the same apps and the same system requirements. If you start on Home, you can upgrade to Pro later without reinstalling Windows.
Windows 11 Home vs Pro at a glance
| Feature | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Home, students, gamers, everyday use | Remote workers, small business, IT, developers |
| Remote Desktop | Connect out only (cannot host) | Connect out and host |
| BitLocker drive encryption | Basic Device Encryption on supported hardware only | Full BitLocker with management options |
| Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) | Not included | Included |
| Hyper-V virtual machines | Not included | Included |
| Windows Sandbox | Not included | Included |
| Join a work or school domain | No | Yes (Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID) |
| Assigned Access (kiosk mode) | No | Yes |
| Windows Update for Business / device management | No | Yes |
| Maximum RAM | 128 GB | 2 TB |
| Physical CPU sockets | 1 | 2 |
| Snap layouts, Widgets, Copilot, Microsoft Defender, Windows Hello | Yes | Yes |
| Gaming features (DirectX 12, Auto HDR, DirectStorage) | Yes | Yes |
What Windows 11 Pro adds over Home
1. Remote Desktop hosting
Both editions can use the Remote Desktop client to connect to another PC. Only Pro can act as the host, so you can reach your office or home computer from a laptop or phone. If that is what you need, see our guide on how to enable Remote Desktop on Windows 11 Pro.
2. Full BitLocker encryption
BitLocker encrypts your drive so that a lost or stolen laptop does not expose your files. Home may offer basic Device Encryption on compatible hardware, but Pro gives you full BitLocker controls, including choosing which drives to encrypt and managing recovery keys. Our walkthrough covers how to turn on BitLocker in Windows 11 Pro, back up your recovery key and avoid recovery prompts.
3. Group Policy Editor
The Local Group Policy Editor lets you control hundreds of Windows settings, such as restricting updates, locking down apps or customising sign-in behaviour. It is missing from Home. Here is how to open gpedit.msc in Windows 11 Pro.
4. Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox
Hyper-V is Microsoft's built-in virtualization tool for running other operating systems in virtual machines. Windows Sandbox opens a disposable, isolated Windows environment for testing suspicious files or software. Both are Pro features. (Home users can still run Linux through WSL2 or use third-party tools such as VirtualBox.)
5. Domain join and business management
Pro can join an Active Directory domain or Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), which most workplaces require for company laptops. Pro also supports mobile device management, Assigned Access and Windows Update for Business. Home cannot join a domain.
6. Higher hardware limits
Home supports up to 128 GB of RAM and one physical CPU socket. Pro supports up to 2 TB of RAM and two sockets. Few people reach the Home limits, but they matter for workstations and servers.
What stays the same on both editions
This is the part many buyers miss: for everyday use, Home and Pro are nearly identical. Both include the same Start menu and taskbar, Snap layouts, Widgets, Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Defender, Windows Hello sign-in, Secure Boot and the same gaming features. Both run the same apps and games. Security software, performance and update quality do not depend on the edition.
Both editions also share the same system requirements: a compatible 64-bit processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, UEFI with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 and a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card. Check Microsoft's official requirements before buying, because a PC that cannot meet them cannot run either edition.
Which edition is right for you?
Choose Windows 11 Home if you are...
- A student, family or home user who browses, streams, uses Office and video calls
- A gamer (Pro gives no gaming advantage)
- Using a personal PC with no need for remote access or workplace management
- On a tight budget and happy to upgrade later if needs change
Choose Windows 11 Pro if you are...
- A remote worker who needs to connect to your PC from elsewhere
- A freelancer or business owner who stores client data and needs full-disk encryption
- An IT professional, developer or tester who uses virtual machines or Sandbox
- Required by your employer to join a domain or use managed policies
- Planning to buy a PC that will last many years and want every feature available
How much does each edition cost?
At the time of writing, Microsoft lists retail pricing at roughly $139 for Home and $199 for Pro in the United States, and prices vary by region and retailer. Genuine digital licenses from authorised sellers are often much cheaper, because they are OEM or volume licenses sold without packaging. See current prices on our Windows 11 license collection.
Important license note: an OEM license is tied to the first device it is activated on and is not meant to be moved between computers. If you expect to change PCs regularly, check the license type before you buy.
Can you upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro later?
Yes. You do not need to reinstall Windows or lose files and apps. You only need a valid Pro product key or an upgrade key.
- Open Settings > System > Activation.
- Under Upgrade your edition of Windows, select Change product key.
- Enter your Windows 11 Pro key and select Next.
- Select Start the upgrade. Your PC will restart once or twice.
- When it finishes, return to the Activation page and confirm it says Windows 11 Pro and that Windows is activated.
Save your work first and keep the PC plugged in. For the full walkthrough, read our step-by-step guide to upgrading Windows 11 Home to Pro. Ready to upgrade? Get the Windows 11 Home to Pro Upgrade Key.
Still on Windows 10?
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, so it no longer receives regular security updates for most users. Moving to Windows 11 is the safest option, whichever edition you pick. If you also need Word, Excel and PowerPoint, our Windows 11 Pro + Office 2024 Professional Plus bundle covers both in one purchase.
Final verdict
For most home users, Windows 11 Home is all you need, and you can upgrade later for a small cost. Choose Windows 11 Pro if you rely on Remote Desktop hosting, BitLocker, Group Policy, virtualization or domain features. When in doubt, think about the next two or three years: if any Pro feature might become necessary, buying Pro now saves a step.
Browse all genuine Windows 11 licenses with instant digital delivery or contact our licensing team for help choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windows 11 Pro faster than Home?
No. For the same hardware, the two editions perform the same in everyday use and gaming. Pro only adds business, security and virtualization features.
Is Windows 11 Pro worth the extra cost?
It is worth it if you need Remote Desktop hosting, BitLocker, Group Policy, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox or domain join. If you do not use any of these, Home is the better value.
Can Windows 11 Home use Remote Desktop?
Home can connect to other computers with the Remote Desktop client, but it cannot accept incoming connections. Hosting requires Pro.
Does Windows 11 Home have BitLocker?
Not full BitLocker. Some Home PCs with compatible hardware offer basic Device Encryption. For full control over encryption and recovery keys, you need Pro.
Can I upgrade from Home to Pro without losing my files?
Yes. The upgrade happens in place from Settings, keeps your files, apps and settings, and only needs a restart.
Are Windows 11 Home and Pro system requirements different?
No. Both require the same processor, RAM, storage, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and graphics capabilities.
Do I need Pro to play games?
No. Gaming features such as DirectX 12, Auto HDR and DirectStorage are identical on Home and Pro.
Which edition is better for a small business?
Pro, because it supports domain join, BitLocker, Group Policy and remote access, which most business setups need.