Windows 11 Pro Product Key

What Windows 11 Pro adds

Pro includes everything in Home, plus tools aimed at work, security and system control:

• BitLocker drive encryption with full management, including removable drives (BitLocker To Go).
• Remote Desktop host: connect to this PC from another device. Home can only connect out.
• Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox for virtual machines and disposable test environments.
• Group Policy Editor and local security policy for fine-grained control.
• Domain join and Microsoft Entra ID join for company networks and device management.
• Windows Update for Business options to defer and schedule updates.
• Higher hardware limits: up to 2 TB of RAM and two CPU sockets.

If none of those matter to you, Home is likely enough. The feature-by-feature table is in Windows 11 Home vs Pro.

Retail or OEM Pro key?

Both install the same Windows 11 Pro. The difference is the license:

• Pro Retail can be deactivated on one PC and activated on another. It suits self-built PCs and anyone who upgrades hardware.
• Pro OEM stays with the first PC it activates and costs less. It suits a machine you don't plan to rebuild.

More detail: Retail vs OEM Windows 11 keys.

Using a Pro key on a Home PC

You don't need to reinstall. Enter the Pro key in Settings › System › Activation › Change product key; Windows installs the Pro features, restarts, and activates. Files, apps and settings are kept. See Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro.