When Windows 11 was released on October 2021, Microsoft announced that people with previous versions of its operating system could upgrade it for free. 

But not all versions can jump directly to Windows 11 Pro. And probably if you bought a new PC in the last months, it would have Windows 11 Home already installed. 

Here we will help to clarify it and show what you need to do it for free, or how much it will cost you. 

How to Check my Windows Version

First of all, let’s see if you need an update by checking your current version of Windows.

Both for Windows 10 and 11:

• Click the “Start” menu (on the bottom-left corner, the Windows logo)
• Go to “Settings,” then click “System.”
• Go to the “About” page (at the bottom of the list), where you will find out your current version on “Windows Specifications.”

Do I Need to Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro?

If you have Windows 10, the short answer is yes.

Windows 11 comes with new features such as: 

• A new Interface. 
• Smart App Control, which provides a new layer of security by only permitting apps with good reputations to be installed.
• Seamless redocking, when you connect your PC to an external device. It makes Windows 11 remember where you had those windows when you leave, come back and reconnect.

And many others. But, if you have Windows 11 Home, we will take a look at what features Windows 11 Pro adds to the formula. 

Similarities Between Windows 11 Home and Pro Editions

Windows 11 Home was designed for the regular consumer. Most of the upgrades in the Pro edition are mainly focused on business. But both share the basic features that every Windows 11 version offers. 

On Security, both offer Device Encryption, Firewall and Network protection, Internet protection, Parental control (with Family Safety App), and Windows Defender (their built-in malware protection software). 

Both come with One Drive, Windows Hello, Snap layouts, and support Multiple Desktops. And we should note that even with Windows 11 Pro getting maximum RAM support of 2 TB, Windows 11 Home can reach 128 GB of RAM, which for a home PC is a lot. 

Differences between Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro

As we stated previously, Windows 11 Pro comes with certain features that were thought mainly for businesses and professionals. 

Some of them are:

• Remote Desktop, which allows you to access your PC from another device.
• Hyper-V, where you can create virtual machines to test different environments and untrusted software without the possibility of damaging your computer.
• Kiosk Mode Setup, where you can configure a device to act with a single app as a Kiosk (like the ones you can see in Fast Food restaurants). 
• BitLocker Device Encryption, a new software that adds another security method, preventing unauthorized access by encrypting all content in your data.

Then, we have a bunch of advanced features focused on large workgroups like Join a Domain, Azure Active Directory, Mobile Device Management, and Group Policies. 

How Can I Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro

We established the main differences between both versions of Windows 11. As for the upgrade, you can get it in several ways, but it may vary depending on your current edition of Windows. 

It’s not the same if you have a Home edition or a Pro edition, even if the latter comes from a previous version of Windows.

For Windows 11 Home Users: How to Purchase it from Microsoft Store

To upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro edition you will need to purchase a new Pro product key. You can make the whole process from the Settings App.

• Click the “Start” menu, and go to “Settings.”

• Go to “System” and select the “Activation” tab.

• You can go to the “About” page too and select “Product key and activation”.
• Either way, it will take you to the Activation window. Open the “Upgrade your edition of Windows” tab.
• Click “Open Store” and it will redirect you to the Microsoft Store.

It will require you to sign in with your Microsoft account. There, you will have the option to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro edition at $99 (only for Home users, otherwise it costs $199). 

Select “Buy,” fill in the billing details, and you will be prompted to upgrade and restart the PC. After that, you’ll see that you are running Windows 11 Pro.

How to Activate Windows 11 Pro with a Digital Product Key

So, $99 is a bit expensive, isn’t it? There is a cheaper option for Windows 11 Home users. You can purchase a product key at a retail shop like ours. Once you have you have it: 

• Repeat the same steps until you reach the “Upgrade your edition of Windows.”
• Select “Change product key” and click on “Change.”

• An “Enter product key” window will pop up. Enter the new product key and click “Next.”

• On the new “Upgrade” window click “Start” and wait until the upgrade process is complete. It may restart your PC several times depending on your system and connectivity.

Once it is done, you can check your current version of Windows on the “About” page. 

How to Get Your Windows 11 Pro Upgrade for Free

If you have any Pro product key, you can get a free upgrade to Windows 11 Pro. That includes the Pro edition of Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows 7. 

If you already are working with any of these OS, then you will see in the “Windows Update” section of your “Settings App” the free upgrade offer. Click on “Download and Install” and follow the instructions. 

If you just have the product key, follow the steps stated before, change the product key, wait until the upgrade process is finished, and automatically restart your PC. 

You can check that is correctly installed by checking on the “About” page of your current version of Windows. 

Should I Go for Windows 11 Pro?

First of all, if you are looking for a home PC, check for any feature that only comes with Windows 11 Pro. 

If those interest you, then you should go for it. We stated that Windows Pro users can get it for free, and for those that aren’t, you can get a product key at a very low price in our store instead of paying $99.