If you bought a new PC with Windows 11 Home, you can start using it right away. But if you need advanced features, Windows 11 Home might not be enough. That’s where Windows 11 Pro comes in.
How to Upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro (The Easy Way)
Windows 11 Pro offers more control, better security, and tools made for power users or businesses. This guide will show you how to upgrade from Home to Pro. We’ll also cover how to reinstall or restore the Pro edition after a reset.
Upgrading is easy. But if you don’t follow the right steps, you could spend more money than you need to. Worse, you might lose your upgrade after reinstalling Windows.
Let’s walk through the three most common upgrade situations:
- You just bought a new PC with Windows 11 Home.
- You’re doing a clean install of Windows 11 Pro.
- You reset your PC and want to restore the Pro upgrade.
What Makes Windows 11 Pro Different?
Windows 11 Home and Pro look the same on the surface. But Pro has many extra tools under the hood. These include:
- BitLocker for drive encryption.
- Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox for running virtual machines.
- Remote Desktop to connect from another PC.
- Domain Join for business networks.
- Group Policy for update and device management.
- Assigned Access to lock down the PC for one purpose.
If you just browse the web, use Office, and watch videos, Home is fine. But if you work with sensitive data or need more control, Pro is a better choice.
The One Thing You Need: A Product Key
To upgrade, you need a Windows 10 or 11 Pro product key. If you’ve built or bought PCs before, you may already have one. You can even reuse an old product key, as long as it’s from a retail version, not a preinstalled OEM version.
Even a Windows 10 Pro key will work to activate Windows 11 Pro.
Microsoft used to allow upgrades with Windows 7 or 8 keys. But that loophole ended in September 2023.
If you don’t have a key, you can buy one. Microsoft sells upgrades for $99 in the Microsoft Store. Be aware: this upgrade is tied to your device. You can’t transfer it to another PC later.
Once you’ve upgraded, your PC is given a digital license. You won’t need the product key again, even after reinstalling Windows.
Scenario 1: Upgrading a New PC from Home to Pro
Let’s say your new PC came with Windows 11 Home. You can upgrade it with just a few clicks.
Step 1: Go to the Activation Settings
- Open Settings > System > Activation.
- Make sure Windows is activated before upgrading.
Step-2: Enter Your Product Key
- Click the arrow next to “Upgrade your edition of Windows.”
- Click Change product key.
- Enter your 25-character Windows 10 or 11 Pro key.
- If you don’t have a key, click Open Store to buy one.
Step 3: Finish the Upgrade
- Follow the prompts.
- Your PC will restart.
- After reboot, return to Settings > System > Activation.
- It should now say Windows 11 Pro and show it’s activated.
Scenario 2: Clean Install Windows 11 Pro
Once you’ve upgraded, the Pro license is linked to your hardware. You can now do a clean install at any time.
What’s a Clean Install?
A clean install removes everything on the PC. It installs a fresh copy of Windows with default settings. Always back up your files first.
Step 1: Boot from a USB Drive
- Create a bootable USB with the Windows 11 installer.
- Boot your PC from the USB.
- When asked for a product key, choose I don’t have one.
Step-2: Pick Windows 11 Pro
- Choose Windows 11 Pro during setup.
- Avoid editions with an “N” or “Pro for Workstations” in the name.
Step 3: Let Windows Activate
- After setup, go to Settings > System > Activation.
- If you didn’t change the hardware, Windows will activate automatically.
- If not, click Troubleshoot to fix activation.
Scenario 3: Restore Pro After a Reset or Reinstall
Sometimes, a reset brings your PC back to Windows 11 Home, even if you upgraded to Pro before. This happens because the PC was originally licensed for Home.
If this happens, don’t worry. You don’t need your old key.
Use Microsoft’s generic Pro product key to switch editions:
Generic Pro Key:VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
Step 1: Open Activation Settings
- Go to Settings > System > Activation.
- If you see Windows 11 Home is active, click Change product key.
Step-2: Enter the Generic Key
- Paste the key above.
- This switches the edition from Home to Pro.
- It does not activate Windows.
Step 3: Let Windows Re-Activate
- Once switched, Windows will check for a matching digital license.
- If your PC had Pro before, it will activate automatically.
- If it doesn’t, you’ll need a valid key or will need to buy one.
Should You Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro?
Choose Pro if you need:
- Remote access to your PC.
- Drive encryption (BitLocker).
- Control over updates.
- Access to business networks.
- Virtual machine support (Hyper-V, Sandbox).
Stick with Home if:
- You only do everyday tasks like browsing or watching videos.
- You don’t need remote access or advanced security.
For many users, Windows 11 Home is enough. But if you want more power and control, Pro is worth it.
Tips to Save Money
- Check if you already have an old Windows 10/11 Pro retail key.
- Avoid overpriced listings—many legitimate sellers offer discounts.
- Skip the Microsoft Store if you plan to reuse the license later.
Summary
Upgrading to Windows 11 Pro unlocks powerful features for power users and professionals. Whether you’re upgrading a new PC, doing a clean install, or restoring a past upgrade, knowing how licenses and product keys work will help you save money and avoid frustration.