Windows 11 is Microsoft’s newest operating system. It offers many new capabilities and upgrades compared to Windows 10. However, not all Windows 11 features are included in every edition. This article will compare the most common versions – Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Home.
We outline the key differences between these two editions to help you decide which best meets your needs.
Windows 11 Home and Pro have their strengths depending on your computer use. As we discuss the unique features and limitations of each, you’ll get a clearer sense of the best edition for your situation.
What are the Home and Pro versions?
Windows 11 is available in various versions, each catering to different user needs:
- Windows 11 Pro: Designed for users who require advanced features and greater control over their system. Windows 11 Pro offers data encryption, multi-computer management, access to company services, and customizable updates. It is ideal for professionals and businesses seeking enhanced security and management options.
- Windows 11 Home: Geared towards users who prioritize simplicity and affordability. Windows 11 Home provides a user-friendly experience with essential features, making it suitable for everyday use. Windows 11 Home offers modern security measures and a sleek interface despite its lower price point, ensuring a pleasant computing experience.
Both Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Home share many features, including the revamped interface, simplified login methods like Windows Hello, parental controls, live subtitles, natural narrator, widget panel, and the redesigned File Explorer. These shared features ensure consistency and familiarity across different versions of Windows 11.
Differences between Windows 11 Pro and Home
While Windows 11 Home and Pro share many key features, Pro includes additional capabilities for businesses and power users. Some major differences only available in Windows 11 Pro include:
- BitLocker Device Encryption: Encrypts your entire hard drive or external drives to protect data
- Windows Information Protection: Helps prevent accidental or malicious business data leaks
- Assigned Access: Allows separate protected user profiles to keep things separated by person and application
- Dynamic Provisioning: Speeds up setting up new devices without long installs
- Enterprise State Roaming: Syncs settings between company devices in the cloud
- Group Policy: Manages user accounts, groups, files, and printers in one dashboard
- Kiosk Mode: Allows remote configuring of locked-down devices
- Active Directory/Azure AD Support: Integrates with Microsoft enterprise identity/management
- Microsoft Store for Business: Distributes and manages business apps
- Mobile Device Management: Controls Windows from the cloud
- Advanced Windows Update controls: More update options for better speed and flexibility
Windows 11 Pro contains more security, customization, and management capabilities tailored to organizational and advanced requirements. The home strives to meet general household user needs. Comparing the specifics shows which is the better match for your situation.
Below, we present a table with the differences between Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Home:
Characteristic | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
---|---|---|
Device encryption | Yeah | Yeah |
Device encryption with BitLocker | No | Yeah |
Firewall and network protection | Yeah | Yeah |
Windows security options | Yeah | Yeah |
Internet Protection | Yeah | Yeah |
Parental control | Yeah | Yeah |
Secure boot | Yeah | Yeah |
Windows Hello | Yeah | Yeah |
Windows Information Protection (WIP) | No | Yeah |
Assigned access | No | Yeah |
Dynamic provisioning | No | Yeah |
Enterprise State Roaming with Azure | No | Yeah |
Group Policy | No | Yeah |
Full-Screen Settings | No | Yeah |
Active Directory and Azure Active Directory support | No | Yeah |
Microsoft Store for business | No | Yeah |
Mobile device management | No | Yeah |
Windows Update for business | No | Yeah |
Source: Microsoft