windows 11 home vs pro

[ghanwani]

I'm looking at various options for a windows laptop. I wanted to see whether I would be giving up anything of significance if I go with Windows 11 Home instead of Pro. (I want a machine without touchscreen.)

Does the Home version have the unix shell and is it possible to get tools like bc and gcc?

I had priced out an XPS 13 a few days ago and was about to go with that. Turns out, that configuration is no longer available with 11 Pro, but it is available with 11 Home.

I was trying to decide between Dell XPS 13, Thinkpad X1 Nano, and Vaio SX12. The latter two are available with Pro. The X1 is quite a bit pricier and the the SX12 is a little more expensive. So XPS 13 seems to be the best value.

 

[Technerd108]

You can always get a Windows 11 Pro license key for around $20 or so.

Microsoft Windows 11 Professional CD Key - Instant Delivery at CJS CD Keys

Buy Activation CD Key Code for Windows 11 Pro at CJS CD Keys and receive your key instantly after payment. Genuine and unused.

www.cjs-cdkeys.com

Get the home version and then just enter a new windows 11 key. It will upgrade to pro. I have a few machines I have done this to with no problems.

I am not sure about the tools you asked about but for me to be able to edit registry and disable telemetry is worth the upgrade.

 

[maflynn]

Here's the differences: https://beebom.com/windows-11-home-vs-windows-11-pro/
This page does a very good job at explaining it, but also includes a concise matrix

 

[ian87w]

Biggest difference for first time users would be the inability to skip online account requirement by not connecting to the internet in first time setup. In Windows 11 Home, it will require internet connectivity and an online account for the first account. Once you are in, you can still create an offline account though.

 

[maflynn]

Biggest difference for first time users would be the inability to skip online account requirement

While that is certainly true now, MS has already stated that in future updates/releases of Win11 Pro, you will be required to have an account. You will no longer be able to install windows using a local account

You’ll need a Microsoft account to set up future versions of Windows 11 Pro

 

[ian87w]

While that is certainly true now, MS has already stated that in future updates/releases of Win11 Pro, you will be required to have an account. You will no longer be able to install windows using a local account

You’ll need a Microsoft account to set up future versions of Windows 11 Pro

Yeah I read that, and that sucks. What happen if you are in an environment without a network connection? Or it's a secure machine that you simply don't want it in a network for any reason, even temporarily? It befuddles me that Microsoft made this decision, especially for the Pro version. I wonder if Enterprise version is the same. Or i guess I'll have to hunt for Windows 10 LTSC licenses...

 

[maflynn]

What happen if you are in an environment without a network connection?

I would assume that the thinking is that nearly everyone who needs to install windows is in a location with the internet.

I wonder if Enterprise version is the same

I'm assuming that the enterprise version will not, simply because of the companies I've worked for. They use a images to install windows.

I'm hoping (its a desperate hope) that the push back and negative response is enough to have MSFT rethink this move

 

[AustinIllini]

While that is certainly true now, MS has already stated that in future updates/releases of Win11 Pro, you will be required to have an account. You will no longer be able to install windows using a local account

You’ll need a Microsoft account to set up future versions of Windows 11 Pro

I wonder what they're planning to do for customers who used to use LTSB (Long Term Service Branch). My customers don't want to use their MSFT account to create a Windows account.

Most of my customers do not connect to the Office LAN on their workstations.

 

[mi7chy]

Does the Home version have the unix shell and is it possible to get tools like bc and gcc?

Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL) uses Virtual Machine Platform and not Hyper-V so it should work with Home.

 

[diamond.g]

I would assume that the thinking is that nearly everyone who needs to install windows is in a location with the internet.


I'm assuming that the enterprise version will not, simply because of the companies I've worked for. They use a images to install windows.

I'm hoping (its a desperate hope) that the push back and negative response is enough to have MSFT rethink this move

Can you even get the Enterprise version without a volume license?

 

[ian87w]

I wonder what they're planning to do for customers who used to use LTSB (Long Term Service Branch). My customers don't want to use their MSFT account to create a Windows account.

Most of my customers do not connect to the Office LAN on their workstations.

I think LTSB will be supported until 2026, so plenty of time for Microsoft to (hopefully) change their mind, or make certain exceptions.

 

[Technerd108]

No. Why would you want it? For the average user it offers no benefits over Pro license.

Can you even get the Enterprise version without a volume license?

You can get a Pro license very cheap off of 3rd party websites so no need to buy a device with Pro. Just get what you want and add Pro later.

 

[diamond.g]

No. Why would you want it? For the average user it offers no benefits over Pro license.

You can get a Pro license very cheap off of 3rd party websites so no need to buy a device with Pro. Just get what you want and add Pro later.

As far as I know Enterprise doesn’t require a Microsoft account for installation, which (Windows 11) Pro may start requiring (allegedly).

 

[Technerd108]

As far as I know Enterprise doesn’t require a Microsoft account for installation, which (Windows 11) Pro may start requiring (allegedly).

Windows 11 already requires a MS account to set up and has for a long time. However there are ways to do so. If you disable the internet connection it will offer a way to set up without it.

How to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account

If you don't like having a Microsoft account on Windows 11, here's how to get around the problem.

www.windowscentral.com

 

[ian87w]

Windows 11 already requires a MS account to set up and has for a long time. However there are ways to do so. If you disable the internet connection it will offer a way to set up without it.

How to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account

If you don't like having a Microsoft account on Windows 11, here's how to get around the problem.

www.windowscentral.com

There's an easier way, and it's quite funny.
You actually just need to use a fake/random/made-up Microsoft account. Windows setup then saw it couldn't log-in, then it just allows you to create an offline account. 😂 Don't know if that's intentional by Microsoft or not, but I just hope they won't close that loophole.

 

[StellarVixen]

While that is certainly true now, MS has already stated that in future updates/releases of Win11 Pro, you will be required to have an account. You will no longer be able to install windows using a local account

You’ll need a Microsoft account to set up future versions of Windows 11 Pro

This is gonna sit well with the courts, especially in the EU.

Looks like Microsoft needs class action lawsuit every now and then to get them back to the reality.