Windows 11 Home vs Pro: the differences that matter
Short answer
Windows 11 Home is enough for most people: browsing, school, office work, photos and games all run on it. Windows 11 Pro adds tools for security and remote work: full BitLocker drive encryption, the ability to be controlled with Remote Desktop, Hyper-V virtual machines, Windows Sandbox and business sign-in with Microsoft Entra ID. Choose Pro if you need one of those; otherwise Home does the job and costs less on Microsoft's own store.
What Pro has that Home does not
| Feature | Home | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Disk encryption | Device encryption, on supported hardware | BitLocker Drive Encryption and BitLocker To Go for USB drives |
| Remote Desktop | Can connect to another PC | Can also be the PC you connect to |
| Hyper-V virtual machines | Not available | Included |
| Windows Sandbox | Not available | Included |
| Kiosk mode (Assigned Access) | Not available | Included |
| Join a work organisation (Microsoft Entra ID) | Not available | Included |
| S mode | Available | Not offered |
Source: Microsoft's own Windows 11 comparison and documentation pages, read on October 13, 2026. Microsoft can change what each edition includes.
Who actually needs Windows 11 Pro
- You carry sensitive files on a laptop. BitLocker encrypts whole drives, including USB sticks with BitLocker To Go, so a lost device does not expose your data.
- You want to reach this PC from somewhere else. Only Pro can be the computer you connect to with Microsoft's Remote Desktop. The computer you connect from can run Home.
- You run virtual machines or test software. Hyper-V cannot be installed on Home, and Windows Sandbox gives you a throwaway desktop for opening files you do not trust.
- Your employer manages your device. Joining an organisation with Microsoft Entra ID works on every edition except Home.
If none of these describes you, Home is the sensible choice. Games, Microsoft 365 apps and everyday software run the same on both editions.
Moving from Home to Pro
You do not need to reinstall Windows. Microsoft's own steps: open Settings > System > Activation, select Change product key and enter a Windows 11 Pro key. Windows then upgrades the edition in place and restarts. Without a key, the same page offers the upgrade through the Microsoft Store.
It does not work the other way round: a Home key will not activate Pro. Our step-by-step guide How to Activate Windows 11 or 10 With a Product Key covers entering a key and fixing common activation errors.
Check that your PC can run Windows 11
Both editions have the same minimum requirements. Microsoft lists a 64-bit processor with at least two cores at 1 GHz, 4 GB of memory, 64 GB of storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 and a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card. Setting up Windows 11 for personal use also needs an internet connection and a Microsoft account. Open Settings > System > About to see what your PC has.
Getting a Windows key in Canada
Microsoft sells both editions on its own Canadian store, and Pro costs more than Home there. At LicenceBase the Windows Serial Key costs $14.99 CAD, paid once and emailed with activation help. The listing does not name an edition, so if you need Home or Pro specifically, email us before you buy and we confirm which key you will receive.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windows 11 Pro faster than Home for gaming?
No. Microsoft's comparison lists security, remote access and management features, not speed. Games run the same on both editions.
Can I upgrade from Home to Pro without losing my files?
Yes. Entering a Pro key on the Activation page upgrades the installed edition in place; your files and apps stay. Back up important files first anyway, as with any system change.
Will a Windows 11 Home key activate Pro?
No. A key activates the edition it was made for. A Pro key entered on Home starts an upgrade to Pro, but a Home key cannot activate Pro.
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