Two ways to change your Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro
The majority of laptops and computers come with a Windows 11 or Windows 10 Home operating system. While Windows 10 Home is totally suitable for the majority of users, it’s likely to provide only a few functionalities and features. However, if you’re an expert or business person, you may prefer to take advantage of the extra features that are available in Windows 11 Pro edition. Windows 11 Pro edition such as Remote Desktop, Mobile Device Management, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and Group Policy, to the maximum extent possible.
The Windows 11 Pro edition gears more toward enterprise and professional PCs. It includes all of the features and functions that are available in the home edition, however, it will include some exclusive features.
Windows 11 has several editions such as Home Professional, Home Enterprise, and Education. Each edition has various features that are tailored to specific users. You can’t change from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Enterprise edition. To do this, you’ll have to install a fresh copy from the Enterprise edition using the Enterprise Product Key. At present you are able to update to the Windows 11 Home edition to Windows 11 Pro without reinstalling the OS.
In this guide we’ll explain how to change to Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Professional edition using Windows Store Windows Store or with the Pro product key.
Table of Contents
Windows 11 Home vs Pro Edition
For those who are not a tech-savvy person the choice is Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro edition. Both are the editions that are available in the majority of shops or installed on new computers. Both are designed for various types of users.
The Home Edition is the most basic version designed for home-based users who are regular. However, Pro Edition is designed for business users. Pro Edition is better suitable for professionals or business users typically, those who use the device for work. Additionally, Windows 11 Pro has numerous security features and business-oriented ones. This table lists all the main distinctions in Windows 11 Home and Pro.
|
Feature |
Windows 11 Home |
Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Install OS using an account on your local network | No | Yes |
| Join Microsoft Azure Active Directory (AD) | No | Yes |
| Support for Active Directory | No | Yes |
| Microsoft Remote Desktop | Only for the client | 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 |
| Network protection and firewalls | Yes | Yes |
| Controls for parents/protection | Yes | Yes |
| Secure Boot | Yes | Yes |
| Find my device | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Security | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Information Protection | No | Yes |
| Enterprise State Roaming using Azure | No | Yes |
| Dynamic Provisioning | No | Yes |
| Windows Update for Business | No | Yes |
| Setup of Kiosk mode | No | Yes |
| Snap Layouts | Yes | Yes |
| Internet security | 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 |
| One Drive | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple Desktops and Snap | Yes | Yes |
| Upgradable to Enterprise Edition | No | Yes |
The Home as well as Pro editions have the same fundamental and essential features. The Home edition isn’t equipped with the advanced security and connectivity options available with Pro editions. Pro edition. If the Windows 11 Home edition doesn’t include the features you’re looking for and you’re not sure, then you’ll need move into Windows 10 Pro. If you’ve decided that you want to make the upgrade, then this article is yours.
If you’re not sure of the version of your Windows version, click the Start menu and choose Settings. Hold Windows+I to open Windows Settings. Window Settings app.
Select the tab ‘System’ within the Settings app. Scroll down and select the ‘About’ option.
You’ll find the details of your Windows 11 edition on the About settings page, which is located under”Windows specifications.” Windows specifications.
You’ll need an active product key or a electronic license in order to update to Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro. You can also purchase an upgrade from Microsoft’s store. Microsoft store.
Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro via Microsoft Store
At present, Windows 11 is not available in the Microsoft Store, so you’ll have to initiate the upgrade via within the Settings app. The upgrade license to upgrade to Home to Pro edition will cost around $100.. To be able to use this feature it is necessary to have Windows 10 Home installed on your computer with a valid license. If you don’t own Windows 10 Home, the Pro edition is the latest version. Pro version will cost approximately $199.99.
Then, open Windows Settings by right-clicking the Start Menu (Windows icon) and then selecting Settings option or pressing Windows+I.
Select “System” on the left side, then scroll down to the System Settings to the right side and then select the option ‘Activation’.
Alternately, you can choose the option ‘About’ at the end of the ‘System’ Settings.
In the About Settings page, select the “Product key and activation” option in the Related settings.
In either case, it will lead users to Windows 11 Activation settings page. Expand the ‘Upgrade your version of Windows’ section. As you will see, there are two options for upgrading, either by changing your product key (which we’ll discuss in the following section) or by purchasing an upgrade through Microsoft Store. Microsoft Store app.
Then, click the button ‘Open Store’ right next to purchase an upgrade license from Microsoft Store. Microsoft Store app.
Microsoft Store will show you the differences in features in Home and Pro versions of Windows and offer the option of purchasing the upgrade. Click the Buy button to purchase the latest Pro license. Upgrade (Pro license) is priced at around $99 to Windows 11 Home users. In the screenshot below the price is shown in Indian rupees, however it will likely cost about $99 and it could vary based on the currency and location.
Enter your computer’s password , or PIN into your Windows Security prompt box.
Then, in the following window select Next.
After that, you’ll need to fill in the billing information If you don’t have them already.
After the purchase is completed you can apply the upgrade. After that, restart your computer to activate the new capabilities of Windows 11 Pro edition. Your PC has now been updated to Windows 11 Pro.
Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro by using the Product Key
It is also possible to make the upgrade Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro by using the product key for Windows 10 Pro for free. It is possible to transfer keys from Windows 8/8.1 Pro and Windows 7 Pro keys to install and activate Windows 11 Pro as well.
If you don’t have a valid product license to install Windows 11 Pro, you can purchase one on Microsoft’s Microsoft website or from a reliable online retailer. If you own an Pro product key, you need to take the license off the previous system and then apply the same key to the new computer. Follow these instructions to update the version of Windows 11 Home to Pro at no cost:
Then, launch first the Windows Settings app, and select the tab ‘System’ on the left side. Select the option ‘Activation’ to the left.
Expand the ‘Upgrade your version of Windows’ option on the activation page. Click the ‘Change’ option right next to the ‘Change Product key’.
It is possible that you need to grant administrators with permission to use this Windows Activation tool. A ‘Enter a Product Key window will appear. Enter the Windows 10 or older version Pro product key, then click Next..
Then, click the button ‘Start’ to start the upgrade process.
After the upgrade is completed your computer will restart automatically to apply the new changes. If not, you must restart your computer manually to install all of changes to Windows 11 Pro changes.
Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro by using Command Prompt
You can also upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro by using the Command Prompt. This procedure also requires a key for the product for Windows 11 Pro or Windows 7, 8. 8.1 10, or Pro.
The first step is to open Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, search for Command Prompt’ or ‘cmd’ in Windows search. After that, choose the option to run as an administrator from the left.
Find Windows 11 Product Key
It is crucial to locate the Windows 11 Product Key and keep it somewhere. It is not necessary to do this in case you already have the product key. If you’re using Windows OS was pre-installed on your PC, it will likely have a digital license.
It is always recommended to keep an copy (physical document) of your product’s key prior to changing it. Your motherboard computer typically holds the digital license. Another place you can locate the product key or digital license can be found in the original copy of Windows. However, it is likely that you’ve lost or thrown the box that your Windows arrived in. There are a myriad of reasons for not having the product key in your possession.
However, there’s no reason to be concerned if you don’t have a copy of your key to the product. It’s easy to locate the key on your personal computer. This is how: type the following command, then press Enter in the command prompt elevated.
wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
Changing Product Key to Upgrade Edition
Enter the following commands in the same order, following noting your current product key. Press Enter after each command.
slmgr.vbs /upkThis command will remove the current key for the product. Select OK on the prompt.
slmgr.vbs /cpkyThis will remove the key for the product out of the registry. Select OK on the prompt.
slmgr.vbs /ckmsThis command will remove your Key management service machine’s name. The product key is removed from your OS.
Then, type and paste the command below and hit Enter.
DISM /online /Get-TargetEditionsThe list of editions that your Windows is able to upgrade will be displayed on screen.
It is possible to upgrade up to Windows 10 Pro if you find ‘Target edition Professional’ on the list.
Enter this command in order to update your edition (replace the product key sample with the Pro product key)
sc config LicenseManager start= auto & net start LicenseManager sc config wuauserv start= auto & net start wuauserv changepk.exe /productkey RK8FG-HTPTM-9C7SM-9PMIT-3VS55 exitThen, wait until the process of upgrading to be completed and then, you can restart your system.
If you want to go back to Windows 11 Home Edition, take out the Pro key by following the steps as above, and then utilize the Home product key to upgrade to the Home Edition. But, your computer will automatically start activating the Home edition once you have removed your Pro Product key only when you own the OEM licence (digital licence).