Hello! We are going to explain to you what are the main differences between the Pro and Home versions of Windows 11. Consequently, if you are in doubt about which version you want to buy, we will be able to give you lights. Consequently, we will discover what the professional version offers you more to think if it is worth it or if you have enough with the home version. First, we will see a simple explanation of what exactly these versions are. In this way you will be able to distinguish their concepts before we start. The differences will be explained below. Anyway, we will see Windows 11 Home vs Windows 11 Pro.
What are the Home and Pro versions
Windows 11, like its predecessors, has different versions. Windows 11 Home is the basic version of the operating system. It is the one designed for most people. In addition, it offers everything that an average user can ask for to an operating system. Therefore, when you see that a computer comes with Windows 11 installed, think that the normal thing is that it is with this version.
Meanwhile, Windows 11 Pro is the more professional version. Therefore, it includes some features that the vast majority of users will not need. However, in professional environments they may be necessary. These characteristics are usually extra layers of security, or others thought to be used in companies.
Windows 11 Pro is more expensive than the Home version. Consequently, it is important to know the differences. This way, you can see to what extent it is worth spending more for features that you may never need. Meanwhile, if you are a company, it is also convenient to know if these features are useful for it. Or if, on the contrary, the Home version is enough for you.
Differences between Windows 11 Pro and Home
Before we start talking about the differences, you should know that all the main features of Windows 11 are in both versions:
- Window docking layouts.
- Microsoft Edge.
- App store.
- The future arrival of Android apps.
- Desktop management.
- Widgets.
- The advantages for games.
All these features are in the Home version. Therefore, it is not necessary to pay more to enjoy them. However, there are some elements where the difference between the two is very noticeable. Let’s see what they are.
Safety and security
This is where the differences between the two versions begin to show.
| Feature | W11 Home | W11 Pro |
| Device encryption | Yes | Yes |
| Device encryption with bitlocker | No | Yes |
| Firewall and network protection | Yes | Yes |
| Windows security options | Yes | Yes |
| Internet protection | Yes | Yes |
| Parental control | Yes | Yes |
| Secure boot | Yes | Yes |
| Windows hello | Yes | Yes |
| Windows information protection (WIP) | No | Yes |
As you can see in this first table, there are only two security options that are not in Windows 11 Home, but are in the Pro version. The first one is BitLocker encryption. That is, if your device is lost or stolen, it locks the entire computer so that no one can access it and your data or use it.
The second difference is the Windows Information Protection (WIP) system. As a result, it helps to protect apps and business data against data leaks that may occur on business devices. In addition, it protects employees’ personal devices.
Business Administration
Here are the business administration and implementation functions. In addition, they are the most significant difference between the two versions, as they are exclusive to the Pro version.
| Feature | W11 Home | W11 Pro |
| Assigned access | No | Yes |
| Dynamic provisioning | No | Yes |
| Enterprise state roaming with azure | No | Yes |
| Group policy | No | Yes |
| Full screen configuration | No | Yes |
| Active directory and azure active directory support | No | Yes |
| Microsoft store for enterprise | No | Yes |
| Mobile device management | No | Yes |
| Windows update for enterprise | No | Yes |
Here, as you can see, all the functions are exclusive to Windows 11 Pro. So, now let’s move on to explain a bit about what each of them does.
Administration features
- Assigned access: Allows you to have separate and protected identities for different users of the same computer, each of them running different applications.
- Dynamic provisioning: A quick configuration so that the process of turning on the computer for the first time and have it ready to work takes minimal time.
- Enterprise State Roaming with Azure: For enterprises with Azure AD Premium or Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) licenses. The feature unifies the experience between Windows devices, making each one you set up from scratch within the enterprise much faster using features from the others.
- Group policy: It combines Windows 11 Pro with Windows Server, being able to administer better and of unified form for the administrators of the computers, user accounts, groups, and the files and printers of the computers.
- Full-screen configuration: In addition to doing it locally, you can also configure new devices remotely through the administration of mobile devices.
- Microsoft Store for Business: A special application store, where you can manage and distribute applications that are installed on computers and mass install them on multiple computers.
- Mobile device management: This is an alternative option to manage company computers from other devices based on the cloud.
- Compatibility with Active Directory: It makes it easier for the company’s IT staff to manage employees’ computers and access files and printers more easily. It also combines Windows 11 Pro with Windows Server.
- Azure Active Directory support: Single sign-on can be used between Windows 11, Microsoft 365 and other Microsoft services, making it easier to manage logins and passwords.
- Windows Update for the enterprise: Provides control of update deployments, making everything faster and easier, and getting those updates to you more efficiently.
Conclusion
Ultimately, we have seen the comparison between Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro. As you can see, the first version is oriented to the average user. On the contrary, Windows 11 Pro has more enterprise implementations. See you later!
