COMPARE WINDOWS 11 EDITIONS

How do I know which version I need?

Windows 11 is the current desktop operating system, now on its 25H2 feature update, and it comes in three main editions: Home, Professional and Enterprise. Windows 10 reached the end of its support on 14 October 2025 — it still works, and consumer Extended Security Updates run until October 2026, but it no longer receives new features and will stop getting security fixes after that. If you are buying a licence today, choose Windows 11 unless you have a specific legacy application or an offline machine that requires Windows 10. Buying for a team? Approved business accounts get automatic volume discounts: 3 or more Windows/Office licences save 3%, 5 or more save 5%, 10 or more save 8% (not combinable with coupon codes) — apply via our business application page.

Windows 11 Pro vs. Windows 11 Home

Windows 11 Pro and Home are identical in day-to-day look and feel. Where they differ is the toolbox underneath. Home covers everything a personal machine needs: the modern Start menu, Windows Hello sign-in, device encryption and Smart App Control. Pro adds the business-grade tools: BitLocker drive encryption with full management, Remote Desktop hosting (connecting IN to your PC from elsewhere), Hyper-V virtualisation for running other operating systems in virtual machines, Group Policy management, Azure AD / Entra ID join and Windows Sandbox for safely testing unknown software. Home also requires a Microsoft account and internet connection during setup; Pro can be set up with a local account when joined to a domain. If a PC is used for work — even self-employed work — Pro usually earns its price difference.

Windows 11 Pro vs. Windows 11 Enterprise

Side-by-side, Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise are visually identical. Enterprise is about managing fleets of machines and hardening them at scale. Some of the features you gain:

• AppLocker - Grants admins the ability to restrict apps on any device in the network, making it easier to whitelist and blacklist programs as needed.
• Application Virtualization (App-V) - Create virtual instances of applications in a container taking away the need for a normal installation. Cast apps to a Windows PC from a server.
• User Environment Virtualization (UE-V) - Ables the user to save app settings and preferences as they move from one PC to another. Allows for an easy, organized infrastructure.
• Windows Defender Application Guard & Credential Guard - Hardware-isolated browsing sessions and credential storage, containing threats before they reach the desktop.
• Improved Group Policy Settings - Admins are able to select which features are installed when deploying a new OS (i.e Turning off Microsoft Consumer Experiences, Windows Store, or even the Lock Screen).
• Volume License Deployment - Windows 11 Enterprise is only available through volume licensing programs, which allow admins to create bulk deployments as well as better keep track of which computers have allocated licenses.

For most individuals and small businesses, Pro is the right ceiling — Enterprise only makes sense with central IT managing many devices. Scroll down for the comprehensive feature comparison across editions.