Windows 11 is available in two editions, including Home and Pro. Windows 11 Home edition is the most common of the two, and it includes all the features suited for home and office users and gamers.
On the other hand, Windows 11 Pro includes all the features available in the Home edition, plus other more advanced business features, such as Remote Desktop, BitLocker, Group Policy, Active Directory support, and many other features.
Typically, the Home edition is enough for anyone using a computer at home for web browsing, working with applications, and gaming. However, if you must have the advanced features, it’s possible to upgrade from Home to Pro without performing a clean installation by changing the product key in the Settings app or through the Microsoft Store.
In this guide, you will learn the two quick ways to upgrade a device from Windows 11 Home to Pro.
Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro using Settings
If you have an existing product key, you can easily apply it through the “Activation” settings page to upgrade the system. Also, since Windows 11 and Windows 10 share the same technologies, you can use a Windows 11 Pro or Windows 10 Pro product key to upgrade a device running a Home edition of Windows. You can even upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Pro with either product key.
To upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro, use these steps:
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Open Settings on Windows 11.
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Click on System.
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Click the Activation page on the right side.
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Click the Change button for the “Change product key” setting.
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Confirm the Windows 11 Pro product key to upgrade to the Home edition.
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Click the Next button.
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Click the Start button.
Once you complete the steps, the computer will upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro.
Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro using Microsoft Store
To purchase a Windows 11 Pro product and upgrade to the Home edition, use these steps:
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Open Settings.
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Click the Activation page on the right side.
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Click the Open Store button from the “Upgrade in this Microsoft app” setting.
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Click the Buy button.
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Continue with the on-screen direction to complete the purchase and upgrade process.
After you complete the steps, the upgrade process will start.
While you use the change product key or the Microsoft Store option, the upgrade process will take about 30 minutes (or less).
Microsoft technically also offers another edition known as “Windows 11 Pro for Workstation,” but this is the most expensive edition that includes everything available with the Pro edition, plus some extra server-grade features. However, unless you work with server hardware and software, it’s not recommended to upgrade for most users.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].