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To see whether your PC is running Windows 11 Home or Pro, open Start > Settings > System > About. Under Windows specifications, read the value beside Edition. That identifies the edition installed on the PC; it does not tell you whether Windows is activated.
Check the edition in Settings
- Select Start, then open Settings.
- Go to System > About.
- Scroll to Windows specifications and read the value beside Edition. It will identify the installed edition, such as Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro.
Microsoft’s Windows reinstall guidance identifies this section as the place to find the edition.
Check activation separately
If you also need to know whether Windows is activated, open Start > Settings > System > Activation. This page shows the Windows edition and separate activation details, according to Microsoft’s activation guidance.
The edition label alone does not confirm that the license is valid or that Windows is activated. Microsoft explains that the installed edition must match the license for activation, and that activation does not by itself guarantee a copy is genuine. See its guidance on Windows activation and Windows validation.
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What Home and Pro mean
Windows 11 Home and Pro are different editions, not activation states. Microsoft lists BitLocker Drive Encryption, Remote Desktop, and the ability to join a domain or Microsoft Entra ID among the additional features available with Pro. The appropriate edition depends on which features you need and the license you have.
If you are reinstalling Windows, Microsoft advises selecting the edition that matches your digital license. For example, reinstall Home on a device whose license is for Home.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you want to upgrade from Home to Pro
Checking your edition does not require an upgrade. If you decide you need Pro, Microsoft’s upgrade instructions apply to devices running an activated copy of Windows 11 Home. Microsoft recommends upgrading through the Microsoft Store; its manual instructions also describe entering a valid Pro product key in Activation settings. Review Microsoft’s Home-to-Pro upgrade guidance for the applicable steps.
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