Windows Pro includes all the features of Windows Home, plus tools for businesses and advanced users: BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, Windows Sandbox, Remote Desktop Host, Group Policy Editor, and domain joining. Gaming and everyday performance are identical for both versions, as they are based on the same core. Therefore, the difference lies in functionality, not speed.
To sum it up
- Home — This is a version for home use: web browsing, multimedia, games, office work.
- В Pro version Added BitLocker, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, Remote Desktop Host and enterprise management (domain, group policy, Intune).
- The Pro version supports up to 2 TB of RAM and two processors, Home version - up to 128 GB of RAM and one processor.
- The Home version can be upgraded to the Pro version at any time by purchasing a key, without reinstalling the system.
The comparison below is for Windows 11, but in Windows 10, the feature set between Home and Pro editions looked very similar.
Security: BitLocker vs. Device Encryption.
The most commonly mentioned difference is BitLocker — full disk encryption, available in Windows Pro. If your laptop is lost or stolen, no one will be able to read the data without logging in or providing the recovery key. BitLocker also allows you to encrypt additional drives and flash drives (BitLocker To Go) and provides more management options.
Windows Home lacks BitLocker, but it does offer a simpler device encryption On compatible hardware. Core security features are the same in both versions: Windows Security (Microsoft Defender Antivirus), firewall, Windows Hello, Secure Boot, and parental controls.
Virtualization and remote work: Hyper-V, sandbox, remote desktop.
Hyper-V — is Microsoft's built-in hypervisor. It allows you to run virtual machines running other Windows or Linux systems—useful for developers, administrators, and testers. It's only available in Pro editions (and higher). Home users can use third-party programs like VirtualBox.
Windows Sandbox — is a disposable, isolated Windows environment. You can safely run suspicious files or programs in it—they will disappear once the sandbox is closed. This feature is also only available to Pro users.
Remote Desktop feature It works in both versions, but in different ways. The Home computer can connect to other machines (as a client), but it won't accept connections on its own. Only Windows Pro can act as a client. hosta , that is, a computer to which you connect remotely, for example, from home to the office.
Corporate governance
Windows Pro is ready to use in your organization. It allows you to connect to an Active Directory domain and Microsoft (formerly Azure AD) record identifier, manage it using Microsoft Intune and use Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc). This allows IT professionals to centrally configure security, install software, and manage updates on multiple computers.
The Home version lacks these tools—the system is configured manually in the "Settings" section on each computer individually. This is quite sufficient for a single home PC.
Hardware limitations: RAM and processors.
Windows 11 Home supports up to 128 GB of RAM and one physical processor (up to 64 cores). Windows 11 Pro supports up to 2 TB of RAM , two physical processors, and up to 128 cores. In practice, a home computer, even a powerful gaming PC, won't approach the Home SKU's limits. The higher Pro SKU's limits are important for workstations used for rendering, computing, or running multiple virtual machines.
Windows Pro vs. Home - Comparison Chart
| Function | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | Device encryption (on compatible hardware) | BitLocker and BitLocker To Go |
| Hyper-B | Flaw | Yes |
| Windows Sandbox | Flaw | Yes |
| Remote Desktop | For clients only | Client and host |
| Domain, Entra ID, Intune | Flaw | Yes |
| Group Policy Editor | Flaw | Yes |
| Maximum RAM | 128 GB | 2 TB |
| Processors | 1 processor, up to 64 cores | 2 processors, up to 128 cores |
Windows Pro or Home – which one to choose?
Select Home, If you use your computer for web browsing, email, movies, gaming, studying, and office applications, the Pro version won't provide any noticeable performance improvements for these purposes—either increased frame rates in games or increased productivity.
Select Pro, If:
- The computer is designed to work in a corporate network, domain, or for managing an IT department.
- You want to connect to it remotely via Windows Remote Desktop.
- You will need Hyper-V or Windows Sandbox (for development, testing and administration).
- You store sensitive data on your laptop and want to use BitLocker.
- You are building a workstation with more than 128GB of RAM or two processors.
If you have the Home edition installed and your needs have changed, you don't need to reinstall the system. in the "Settings" → "System" → "Activation" section« You can purchase an upgrade to the Pro version or enter a product key - the system will install missing features while preserving your files and programs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Windows Pro faster than Home?
No. Both versions use the same kernel and perform equally well. The Pro version offers additional features (BitLocker, Hyper-V, enterprise management), but not speed.
Which version of Windows is better for gaming: Home or Pro?
Windows Home is perfectly sufficient for gaming. Games run identically in both versions, while Pro features are primarily intended for businesses, administrators, and developers.
How to upgrade Windows Home to Pro?
Go to Settings → System → Activation and choose to upgrade to the new version: you can purchase Pro from the Microsoft Store or enter an existing product key. There's no need to reinstall the system; your files and programs will remain.
Is it possible to encrypt a drive in Windows Home?
Windows Home offers device encryption on compatible hardware. The full version of BitLocker, with additional features, including USB drive encryption (BitLocker To Go), is available in the Pro version.
Does Remote Desktop work on Windows Home?
Partially. You can connect to another computer from your home computer, but you can't remotely connect to your home computer using the built-in Remote Desktop feature—this is only possible in Windows Pro.
See also
- What is the difference between a mobile phone and a smartphone?
- What is the difference between Intel Core i3 and i5 processors?
- What is the difference between a data flow and a process?
- What is the difference between the iPhone 15 and 16?