Many new computers come equipped with Windows 11 Home edition, which is suitable for standard users and everyday tasks. However, professionals and business users may find the Home edition lacking in advanced features that enhance productivity and security. Upgrading to Windows 11 Pro unlocks functionalities such as Remote Desktop, BitLocker Drive Encryption, Group Policy management, and more.

Below, we’ll explore the key differences between Windows 11 Home and Pro editions and provide detailed instructions on how to upgrade to the Pro edition.

Windows 11 Home vs Pro Edition

Choosing between Windows 11 Home and Pro depends on your specific needs. The Home edition is designed for general consumers, while the Pro edition targets professionals and businesses requiring advanced security and management tools. The following table highlights the main differences between the two editions:

Feature	Windows 11 Home	Windows 11 Pro
Set up OS with a local account	No	Yes
Join Microsoft Azure Active Directory (AD)	No	Yes
Support for Active Directory	No	Yes
Microsoft Remote Desktop	Client only	Yes
BitLocker device encryption	No	Yes
Hyper-V	No	Yes
Join a Domain	No	Yes
Assigned Access	No	Yes
Group Policy	No	Yes
Mobile device management (MDM)	No	Yes
Windows Sandbox	No	Yes
Windows Hello	Yes	Yes
Device encryption	Yes	Yes
Firewall and network protection	Yes	Yes
Parental controls/protection	Yes	Yes
Secure Boot	Yes	Yes
Find my device	Yes	Yes
Windows Security	Yes	Yes
Windows Information Protection	No	Yes
Enterprise State Roaming with Azure	No	Yes
Dynamic Provisioning	No	Yes
Windows Update for Business	No	Yes
Kiosk mode setup	No	Yes
Snap Layouts	Yes	Yes
Internet protection	Yes	Yes
Maximum supported RAM	128 GB	2TB
Maximum no. of CPUs	1	2
Maximum no. of CPU cores	64	128
Microsoft Edge	Yes	Yes
OneDrive	Yes	Yes
Multiple Desktops and Snap	Yes	Yes
Upgradable to Enterprise Edition	No	Yes

While both editions share core features, the Pro edition provides additional capabilities that are essential for business environments and advanced users. If you find that the Home edition lacks certain features you require, upgrading to Windows 11 Pro may be the solution.

Note that upgrading from Windows 11 Home directly to the Enterprise edition is not supported without performing a clean installation. This guide focuses on upgrading from the Home edition to the Pro edition without reinstalling the operating system.

Checking Your Windows 11 Edition

If you’re unsure which edition of Windows 11 you’re currently using, you can easily check this information in the Settings app.

Right-click the Start menu (Windows icon) on your taskbar and select Settings, or press Windows+I to open the Settings app.

In the Settings window, select the System tab from the left pane, then scroll down and click on About at the bottom.

On the About page, under the Windows specifications section, you will see the edition of Windows 11 installed on your PC.

Before proceeding with the upgrade, ensure you have a valid product key or a digital license for Windows 11 Pro. Alternatively, you can purchase the upgrade through the Microsoft Store.

Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro with Product Key

If you already have a valid Windows 11 Pro product key or a Windows 10 Pro product key, you can upgrade directly by entering the key in the Settings app. This method allows you to upgrade without purchasing a new license, provided you have a transferable product key.

Open the Settings app by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Settings, or by pressing Windows+I.

In the Settings window, select System on the left pane, then click on Activation on the right.

On the Activation page, expand the Upgrade your edition of Windows section. Click the Change button next to Change product key.

In the pop-up window, enter your Windows 11 Pro product key or a valid Windows 10 Pro product key, then click Next.

Click the Start button to begin the upgrade process.

The system will now upgrade to Windows 11 Pro. Once the process is complete, your PC will restart automatically to apply the changes. If it doesn’t restart on its own, reboot your computer manually.

Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro via Microsoft Store

If you don’t have a Pro product key, you can purchase the upgrade through the Microsoft Store. This method involves buying a digital license for Windows 11 Pro, which will cost around $99, though prices may vary by region and currency.

Open the Settings app by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Settings, or press Windows+I.

In the Settings window, select System on the left pane, then click on Activation on the right.

On the Activation page, expand the Upgrade your edition of Windows section. Click the Open Store button next to the option to buy a new license.

The Microsoft Store app will open, displaying the features of Windows 11 Pro and the option to purchase the upgrade. Click on the Buy button.

You may be prompted to confirm your identity. Enter your Windows password or PIN when prompted.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the purchase process, including entering your payment information if necessary.

After the purchase is completed, the upgrade will begin automatically. Once the process is finished, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro using Command Prompt

You can also upgrade to Windows 11 Pro using the Command Prompt if you have a valid product key. This method is a bit more technical but can be useful in certain scenarios.

Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges. To do this, type Command Prompt or cmd in the Windows search bar, then select Run as administrator from the right pane.

Finding Your Windows 11 Product Key

If you need to retrieve your current Windows 11 product key before proceeding, you can do so using the Command Prompt.

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

This command will display your original product key. Make sure to note it down and keep it in a safe place.

Upgrading Using Command Prompt

To begin the upgrade process, you need to uninstall your current product key. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:

slmgr.vbs /upk

This command uninstalls the current product key. A confirmation message will appear.

Next, clear the product key from the registry by entering:

slmgr.vbs /cpky

A confirmation message will appear indicating that the product key has been cleared from the registry.

Clear the Key Management Service configuration by typing:

slmgr.vbs /ckms

This command clears any KMS server settings.

To check which editions your Windows installation can upgrade to, enter the following command:

DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions

This will display a list of Windows editions that you can upgrade to. Ensure that “Professional” is listed.

Finally, initiate the upgrade by entering the following commands (replace YOUR-PRODUCT-KEY with your actual Windows 11 Pro product key):

sc config LicenseManager start= auto & net start LicenseManager
sc config wuauserv start= auto & net start wuauserv
changepk.exe /productkey YOUR-PRODUCT-KEY
exit

Wait for the upgrade process to complete. Your system may restart during this process. Once finished, your Windows 11 Home edition will be upgraded to Pro.

If you ever need to revert to Windows 11 Home, you can remove the Pro product key using the commands above and re-enter your original Home edition product key. Note that your system will automatically activate the Home edition if you have a digital license stored in your hardware.

By following these methods, you can upgrade your Windows 11 Home edition to the Pro edition, unlocking advanced features and functionalities suited for professional and business use.