Shocking differences between Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro
Understanding the variations between Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro. There are two main editions of Windows 11, the most recent version of Microsoft’s well-known operating system: Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro. While both editions have a similar structure, they are tailored to distinct user demands, with Windows 11 Pro being created with corporate and enterprise users in mind. We will examine the unique features and capabilities that distinguish Windows 11 Pro from its home variant in this article.
Table of Contents
Set up with a local account: 2
Joining Active Directory/Azure AD: 2
Virtualization and remote desktop: 2
Encryption File System (EFS): 3
Group Policy and Group Policy Editor: 4
Pricing:
Windows 11 Home costs $139.99 and Windows 11 Pro is $199.99 for a standalone license. Windows 11 Home to Pro upgrade costs $99.99.
Set up with a local account:
While Windows 11 Pro allows you to set up a local account, Windows 11 Home requires a Microsoft account. However, Microsoft has modified this requirement and now requires a Microsoft account for installing Windows 11 Pro for personal usage.
Joining Active Directory/Azure AD:
To manage corporate devices, Windows 11 Home cannot be joined to Active Directory. Joining Azure AD or Active Directory is supported by Windows 11 Pro.
Virtualization and remote desktop:
Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro offer distinct differences in terms of virtualization capabilities. While Windows Sandbox and Hyper-V can be enabled on Windows 11 Home, they are not officially supported. In contrast, Windows 11 Pro fully supports Hyper-V, allowing users to create and run virtual machines seamlessly. Additionally, Windows 11 Pro can be utilized as a Remote Desktop host, enabling users to access their devices remotely. These virtualization and remote access features are essential for business and enterprise environments, making Windows 11 Pro the preferred choice for those requiring advanced virtualization capabilities.
Security features:
Windows 11 Pro comes with further security tools like BitLocker device encryption, Windows Information Protection, and Group Policy support, which enables IT managers to set up rules for groups of devices.
CPU and RAM support:
Microsoft’s most recent operating system comes in two editions, Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro, each of which is tailored to specific user needs. Windows 11 Home supports up to one CPU socket, 64 CPU cores, and a maximum of 128GB of RAM in terms of system requirements. Windows 11 Pro, on the other hand, offers broader capabilities and can support up to two CPU sockets, 128 CPU cores, and 2TB of RAM. Because of its improved hardware capabilities, Windows 11 Pro is the favored option for heavy users and companies with complex computing requirements. Understanding the hardware requirements and capabilities of each edition is essential for making an informed choice, whether you’re a professional or a home user.
BitLocker:
You can encrypt entire files and discs with the encryption tool BitLocker. This adds an additional degree of security for your data, making sure that your contents are safe even if your computer is stolen or used by unauthorized individuals.
Encryption File System (EFS):
You can encrypt certain files and folders using EFS, another encryption technology. This is helpful if you wish to limit access to certain files or directories that hold sensitive information.
Group Policy:
Administrators may manage PCs, user accounts, files, printers, and other things remotely thanks to a collection of tools called Group Policy. The configuration and behavior of Windows 11 devices in a network environment can now be controlled more effectively.
Group Policy Editor:
With the help of the user-friendly Group Policy Editor interface, you may enable or disable particular features or components in Windows 11 without making any alterations to the Registry. It makes Windows settings and customization choices easier to manage.
Local Users and Groups:
Administrators can control both local and remote machines with this functionality. It makes user administration more effective by enabling you to establish and manage user accounts, groups, and their permissions.
Kiosk mode setup:
Utilizing Microsoft’s Mobile Device Management, kiosk mode enables remote device configuration. It is advantageous in situations where the device is designed to serve a single function or has limited capability, such as a public information kiosk or a specialized point-of-sale system.
Hyper-V:
You may build virtual machines using the built-in virtualization tool Hyper-V. It gives you flexibility for testing, developing, or running older applications by allowing you to run different operating systems or Windows versions concurrently on the same physical machine.
Assigned Access:
With assigned access, you can run various programs according to the user, keeping private and independent experiences. It is useful in communal settings where several users must have access to different apps or features.
Dynamic Provisioning:
Dynamic Provisioning makes it easier to set up Windows 11 devices and makes it easier to connect to your organization. It makes it easier for users and IT administrators to configure devices because it takes less time and effort.
Enterprise State Roaming:
Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing solution, which is the foundation of Enterprise State Roaming, guarantees a unified user experience on all Windows 11 devices. It makes switching between devices easier without compromising customized setups by synchronizing user settings and preferences.
Active Directory:
A central database called Active Directory is used to store information about each Windows domain network. It enables effective management of user accounts, security rules, and network resources, and it is used by several additional features and services.
Group Policy and Group Policy Editor:
Administrators may effectively manage and regulate different aspects of Windows 11 devices in a network environment with the help of Group Policy and Group Policy Editor. These tools give administrators the ability to specify and enforce security parameters, modify system behavior, limit user access to functions or software, and more. Administrators can improve security, synchronize settings across numerous devices, and simplify administration procedures inside an organization by using Group Policy.
Conclusion of Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro
In conclusion, Windows 11 Pro provides a variety of extra features and functionalities in comparison to the home edition, making it an appropriate option for corporate and enterprise customers as well as people who value improved security, management abilities, and virtualization.
