Windows 11 Pro

Windows 11 Pro takes everything in Windows 11 Home and adds encryption, remote access, virtualization and management tools. It is the right pick for remote workers, freelancers, small businesses and developers who run virtual machines.

What Windows 11 Pro adds

Security and encryption

• BitLocker encrypts the whole system drive, so your data stays unreadable if the device is lost.
• BitLocker To Go protects USB sticks and external drives with a password.
• Windows Hello, Microsoft Defender and Windows Security work just as they do in Home.

Remote access and virtualization

• Remote Desktop lets you connect to this PC from another device. Home can only be the connecting side.
• Hyper-V runs Linux or other Windows versions in virtual machines on the same PC.
• Windows Sandbox opens a suspicious file in a temporary desktop isolated from your main system.

Management

• Join an Active Directory domain or Microsoft Entra ID
• Group Policy Editor
• Defer and schedule updates with Windows Update for Business
• Single-app kiosk setups with Assigned Access

Home or Pro?

Windows 11 Home covers everyday use, school and gaming. Choose Pro if you need drive encryption, incoming Remote Desktop, virtual machines or a company network. If your PC already runs an activated copy of Home, the Home to Pro upgrade key gets you there without a reinstall. For centrally managed business networks, see Windows 11 Enterprise.

Retail and OEM options

• An OEM key binds to the first PC it activates. Reinstall Windows on that same PC and it activates again.
• A Retail key is good for a single activation. It cannot activate again after a clean install, so enter it once setup is finished.

Both options cover one PC with no subscription and no end date. The key also activates Windows 10 Pro.

Delivery

The key is delivered digitally to the order in your account. Each option shows its delivery type: automatic delivery lands as soon as payment is confirmed, and prepared delivery usually takes 5 to 60 minutes. Use the key within 12 hours of delivery.

Browse the Windows 11 category for other editions, or Office 2024 for the desktop Office apps.

1. Open Settings → System → Activation.
2. Click Change product key and enter the 25-character key from your order.
3. Click Activate and wait for "Windows is activated".
4. If online activation fails with an error such as 0xC004C008, press Win + R, type slui 4 and follow the phone activation steps on screen.