Windows 10 Home vs Pro: Differences and How to Upgrade in 2026

Windows 10 Home covers the basics for most users — but if you need Remote Desktop, BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V virtualisation or Group Policy, only Windows 10 Pro has them. This guide explains every difference, shows you exactly how to upgrade from Home to Pro, and where to get a Pro licence for as little as €14.86.

Short answer: Open Settings → Update & Security → Activation → Change product key, enter your Windows 10 Pro key, and Windows upgrades in-place — no reinstall needed.

Windows 10 Home vs Pro: Feature Comparison

The price difference at Licendi is just €1.89 — making the upgrade a no-brainer for anyone who might need Pro features in the future.

Who Actually Needs Windows 10 Pro?

Windows 10 Home is genuinely enough for most home users who browse the web, use Office and stream media. Consider upgrading to Pro if you:

• Work from home — Remote Desktop lets you connect to your office PC from anywhere without third-party tools.
• Handle sensitive data — BitLocker encrypts your entire drive. If your laptop is stolen, your data stays safe.
• Run virtual machines — Hyper-V is built into Pro. No need to install VirtualBox or VMware.
• Manage IT for a small business — Group Policy and Azure AD join give you enterprise-level control.
• Test software safely — Windows Sandbox creates an isolated environment that resets when you close it.

How to Upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro

The good news: upgrading from Home to Pro is an in-place upgrade. You do not need to reinstall Windows, reformat your drive or back up your files (though backups are always a good idea). Windows simply unlocks the Pro features after you enter a valid product key.

Method 1: Upgrade with a Product Key (Cheapest)

This is the recommended method — and the cheapest way to upgrade.

1. Purchase a Windows 10 Pro licence key from Licendi (€14.86 — you save 94% vs Microsoft retail).
2. Open Settings (Windows + I).
3. Go to Update & Security → Activation.
4. Click "Change product key".
5. Enter your 25-character Windows 10 Pro product key.
6. Click Next — Windows will verify the key and begin the upgrade.
7. Your PC will restart once. After rebooting, you will be running Windows 10 Pro.

The entire process takes 5-10 minutes. All your files, apps and settings are preserved.

Method 2: Upgrade via the Microsoft Store

You can also upgrade directly through the Microsoft Store, but you will pay full retail price (€259 for Home-to-Pro upgrade).

1. Open Settings → Update & Security → Activation.
2. Click "Go to the Microsoft Store".
3. The Store will show the Windows 10 Pro upgrade page with the full price.
4. Click Buy and complete payment with your Microsoft account.
5. Windows upgrades automatically after purchase.

Comparison: Microsoft Store charges €259. Licendi charges €14.86 for the same genuine upgrade — a saving of over 94%. Both methods result in the same fully activated Windows 10 Pro.

What Happens After You Upgrade

After the upgrade completes:

• All Pro features unlock immediately — BitLocker, Remote Desktop, Hyper-V, Group Policy and Sandbox are all available.
• Your files and apps stay exactly where they were — nothing is deleted or moved.
• Windows Update continues normally — Pro receives the same security updates as Home, plus Windows Update for Business controls.
• Your digital licence is tied to your hardware — if you reinstall Windows on the same PC, it will automatically activate as Pro.

To verify the upgrade, go to Settings → System → About. Under "Windows specifications" you should see Edition: Windows 10 Pro.

Should You Upgrade to Windows 11 Instead?

With Windows 10 reaching end of support on 14 October 2025, you may want to skip the Home-to-Pro upgrade and go directly to Windows 11.

Check if your PC supports Windows 11 with Microsoft's PC Health Check tool. If it does, read our Windows 11 vs Windows 10 comparison to decide.

Frequently Asked Questions