Windows 11: Home vs. Pro – Which One Do You Need?
When choosing a new computer or upgrading your system, it’s important to know the difference between Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro. While both versions offer a fast, secure, and modern experience, Windows 11 Pro includes extra tools designed for business use, remote access, and advanced security. Below is a quick comparison to help you decide which version best fits your needs.
Windows 11 Home
Best for: Everyday consumers, students, home users.
✅ Key Features:
- Full support for touch, pen, voice input
- Built-in Microsoft Store, Edge browser, Widgets, and Snap Layouts
- Windows Hello for facial recognition/fingerprint login
- BitLocker Device Encryption (limited version — hardware must support it)
- Parental controls via Microsoft Family Safety
- Virtual desktops and support for up to 1 CPU socket and 128 GB RAM
- Required to sign in with a Microsoft Account (can be bypassed, but not easily)
❌ Missing:
- Domain Join / Group Policy support
- BitLocker full-disk encryption
- Hyper-V virtualization
- Remote Desktop host (can connect to others, but not be connected into)
- Windows Sandbox
- Assigned Access / Kiosk mode
- Azure Active Directory / Intune management
Windows 11 Pro
Best for: Power users, IT professionals, small businesses, and remote workers.
✅ Everything in Home, plus:
- BitLocker full drive encryption (with TPM support)
- Remote Desktop host (you can connect into your PC remotely)
- Group Policy Editor (advanced admin control)
- Domain Join (connects to on-premise servers)
- Hyper-V for virtual machines
- Windows Sandbox (run untrusted apps safely)
- Assigned Access (lock down device for kiosk use)
- Azure AD & Microsoft Intune support (manage devices remotely)
- Support for up to 2 CPUs and 2 TB RAM
💡 Which Should You Get?
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Basic use, home/student | 🏠 Home is fine |
| Need to connect to a work domain or use remote access | 💼 Pro |
| You’re setting up business computers or doing IT admin work | 💼 Pro |
| You want to encrypt drives fully | 💼 Pro |
| You’ll run virtual machines locally | 💼 Pro |
| You want to avoid Microsoft login requirement | 💼 Pro (can use local account more easily during setup) |
🏠 Choose Windows 11 Home if:
- You’re using your computer for personal use, school, or light work
- You don’t need advanced security or remote access features
- You’re not part of a business or IT-managed environment
💼 Choose Windows 11 Pro if:
- You want Remote Desktop, advanced encryption, or virtual machines
- You work in a business environment, manage other devices, or need full control
- You plan to use bit-for-bit security tools or connect to domains
Need help upgrading or choosing the right version?
📞 Mount Vernon Computers is here to help with setup, licensing, and remote access!