While this could be considered a handy feature for the average users, with so many other security options included in Windows already, unless your users keep extremely sensitive information on a drive, and more importantly, the device is portable (ie a laptop), it’s a “nice-to-have” and not necessarily a justification for the additional cost of the Pro Edition. Think of it like ransomware in reverse – the computer gets locked down and the thief or finder can only access the disk with the correct key.

Without the key, the entire drive is locked down with banking grade 256-bit AES encryption, making it nigh-on impossible to crack. The decryption cypher is kept completely separate to the BIOS, and is only released when the user either types a code at the pre-boot stage, types in their Windows PIN, or uses a USB stick – this can either be a conventional type, or for extra security, a FIDO standard two-factor authentication key. When activated, it uses the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), a separate chip in the individual machine, to encrypt the hard disk sector by sector. It has been around since the days of Windows Vista. BitLockerīitLocker is a full volume encryption feature to prevent unauthorised access to data held on the hard drive of lost and stolen machines. Both are aimed primarily at home workers and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) users as part of Microsoft’s attempts to embrace the “new normal” of work. In terms of security, there are two extra features – BitLocker Encryption, and Windows Information Protection (WIP).

The extra features in Windows 11 Pro fall into two basic camps: security, and deployment. They also both offer the standard internet protections you'd come to expect, such as firewalls and network protection.

When it comes to security, both Windows versions offer basic device encryption as standard, as well as tools like Find my Device and Secure Boot. Windows 11 Home vs Pro: Security features Windows 11 Home is the right version for you if you use your machine in isolation, and you’re missing nothing by opting out of the pro version. Most of the differences we’ll be talking about are completely irrelevant unless you’re working in an enterprise environment.

Cost of windows 11 pro