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 almost five years old, and it brought significant changes when it launched. Many of its core functions are similar to those of Windows 10, as Microsoft has focused on other aspects, such as revamping the visual design, increasing system performance, and introducing new features, including support for Android apps.

Subsequent updates expanded Windows 11 with interesting additions like the AI-powered CoPilot.

Also: 9 things I always do after installing 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 edition, as well as deeper control over system settings and advanced security options.

On paper, it sounds great to have more control over your PC, but is it really worth the money? In this comparison, I will point out the main differences between Windows 11 Home and windows 11 proHelping you decide which version better suits your needs and workflow.

Specifications

You should choose Windows 11 Home if…

1. You are an average user and like simplicity

If your PC is primarily used for everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, or light productivity, Windows 11 Home offers the full Windows experience without adding additional complexity. The operating system includes all the features that are important to the average user: an easy-to-navigate interface, snap layout for multitasking, built-in security, and gaming enhancers like AutoHDR.

In daily use, Home works almost exactly like Windows 11 Pro. The latter does not provide any speed increase or performance benefit.

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The house is ready for immediate use. It does not burden non-technical users with advanced system controls. Software patches are applied automatically, keeping your system up to date without the need for 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 a better option if you want to keep things affordable. First of all, if you’re upgrading from an eligible Windows 10 computer the operating system is technically free. 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 also comes preinstalled on every new Windows PC, giving you a complete operating system out of the box. As mentioned earlier, Home includes all the features most users would want.

Also: New laptop? How to clean your old Windows PC before you get rid of it

By comparison, Windows 11 Pro is more expensive, costing about $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 homeYou have to pay for the license, which costs $139.

It’s possible to find discounted Windows 11 Pro product keys online for less than $30 on some third-party websites. However, I do not recommend purchasing them, as they come from gray-market sources and may be illegal. You will find reports from people online Buying a Pro Product Key These platforms only reveal that the code has already been used, wasting their time and money.

You should choose Windows 11 Pro if…

1. You want more control over your system

Windows 11 Pro is built for users who want to fine-tune their systems to the nth degree, manage security more precisely and defer updates. The main tool to make these changes is the Group Policy Editor, which lets users customize and enforce system behaviors that are not accessible in Windows 11 Home.

For example, you can restrict certain features, decide which background services run, as well as adjust security policies. I wouldn’t recommend doing this, but it is possible to permanently disable Microsoft Defender through this method.

Also: What the country’s strongest AI rules will change in 2026, according to legal experts

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, which allows you to connect with your school, businesses, or other corporate entities.

2. You trust the virtualization tool

One reason 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 VM 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 affecting your main system.

My favorite is Hyper-V, which is Microsoft’s built-in virtualization platform. I’ve used it in the past to run applications in closed environments that I didn’t want to impact my PC. Another useful feature is Windows Sandbox. It lets you open untrusted files in a temporary secure location.

Once the sandbox is closed, everything inside is wiped clean. For anyone planning to test apps or systems, Windows 11 Pro is worth the upgrade.