How to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro for free | ZDNet

Windows 11 Home does not come with Bitlocker encryption , whereas Windows 11 Pro has support for it. Bitlocker encryption allows you to encrypt your entire hard disk and disk volumes using the AES encryption algorithm. If you have sensitive data on your computer, Windows 11 Pro ensures no one can access your data in case of theft. It uses the TPM Trusted Platform Module , an essential requirement to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 to store the encryption keys, so that is pretty good.

To conclude, if you want better security for your data on Windows 11, you should go for the Windows 11 Pro edition. For example, if you want to defer Windows update for a longer time , you can change it from Group Policy, an option that is not available on the Settings page. Then, there is the option to lock specific apps on Windows , disable Cortana permanently , and a host of other things that you can tweak via the Group Policy Editor.

So if you are someone who wants to have complete control over your PC, opting for Windows 11 Pro would make better sense. You can follow our linked article for detailed instructions. If you are an advanced user and need support for native virtualization, opt for Windows 11 Pro over the Home edition.

Windows 11 Pro comes with Hyper-V, which is a native hypervisor built by Microsoft. You can run virtual machines of any operating system inside Windows 11, including older versions of Windows, Linux distros, and more.

Having said that, if you are a Home user, there is nothing to worry about. We have an in-depth tutorial on how to install Hyper-V on Windows 11 Home edition. Again, this linked guide is for the Windows 10 counterpart but should work flawlessly on Windows 11 as well. Whatever you do in this environment stays there and does not affect the OS. Note that, with Windows Sandbox, you can only use the current build of Windows 11, whereas Hyper-V allows you to install any other operating systems as well.

If you want to test a sketchy app before installing it on your Windows 11 computer, Windows Sandbox is the best way to do it. In contrast, with Windows 11 Pro, your PC can act as the host as well as the client for remote desktop connection. That means Windows 11 Pro enables you to have unattended access to your computer from anywhere in the world.

You can access all your files, modify programs, and do much more with this feature. Having said that, there are many third-party remote desktop software such as TeamViewer that offers similar features on Windows 11 Home. And the performance is also identical on both the operating systems.

That said, Windows 11 Pro offers you a larger ceiling for hardware expansion. Simply put, Windows 11 Home is more than enough for most users, even for hardcore gamers.

Windows 11 Home vs Pro: Enterprise Features For enterprises and businesses, Windows 11 Pro offers a lot more features and this is the area where getting the Pro edition makes better sense.

To sum it up, for enterprises, you can blindly go for Windows 11 Pro. You can see how the core features remain the same across the board, while the business features are limited to the Pro edition. And even if you need any of those Pro features, there are workarounds to get them on Windows 11 Home edition as well. And lastly, there are third-party tools that offer similar features to make the Home edition stand tall against the Pro.

Having said that, if you are a professional user who wants all the advanced features such as hardware-based encryption, Windows Sandbox, Kiosk Mode, etc. So that is what we think, but what about you?

Do let us know your opinion in the comments section below. And if you want to learn about the differences between Windows 10 Home and Pro , check out our linked article. Your article answered all of my concerns in total. Here\’s how to get Windows 10 for free, if you\’re currently running a licensed and activated copy of Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.

Go to the Download Windows 10 website. Under Create Windows 10 installation media , click Download tool now and Run. If you\’re upgrading a different machine, choose Create installation media for another PC , and save the installation files. Microsoft is encouraging Windows 7 users to upgrade to Windows 10 now support for the former has ended.

It should be noted that if you have a Windows 7 or 8 Home license, you can only update to Windows 10 Home, while Windows 7 or 8 Pro can only be updated to Windows 10 Pro. The upgrade is not available for Windows Enterprise. Other users may experience blocks as well , depending on your machine. This upgrade using the media creation tool isn\’t meant for the general consumer, but it works for many nonetheless.

To get the best Windows 10 experience and take advantage of features like passwordless sign-on through Windows Hello , you\’ll want to buy a new Windows 10 PC or one released after July with all the hardware upgrades.

If you\’re a student or university faculty member, you may also be able to download Windows 10 for free. Search for your school\’s software offerings here. For more, check out the best antivirus protection of for Windows 10 , six security changes all Windows 10 users need to make , all of the big differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 and every Windows 10 setting you should disable.

You can also get Microsoft Office online free , too. Your guide to a better future. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? No, thank you Accept. Alison DeNisco Rayome.

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Upgrade price windows 10 home to pro free. How to upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro free using default product key

 
Windows Vista—a major release of the Microsoft Windows operating system—was available in six different product editions: Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate. On September 5, , Microsoft announced the USD pricing for editions available through retail channels; the operating system was later made available to retail on January 30, . Compare Windows 10 Home vs. Pro with Microsoft’s comprehensive checklist and feel confident in your choice! Using facial recognition, a fingerprint, or PIN, Windows Hello is a fast, secure, and password-free way to unlock your compatible Windows devices. 1. An upgrade from Windows 7, 8 or to Windows 10 Enterprise (the most complete version of Windows 10) is included in the Microsoft Enterprise E3 Formula, the cheapest possible way to get both Windows 10 Enterprise and Office Enterprise E3 and Microsoft Enterprise Mobility & Security available for a small amount per month! Read more.

[Upgrade price windows 10 home to pro free

 
How To Upgrade From Windows 10 Home To Windows 10 Pro For Free · Step 1- Just open Windows Store > sign up with your Microsoft Account. · Step 2–. How to Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro without Activation Step 1. Open the \”Settings\” > \”Update & Security\” and click \”Activation\” on the left pane. Step 2. Microsoft sells Windows 10 Home for $ and Windows 10 Professional for $ Buying Windows 10 Home and then upgrading it to the Professional edition will.