Microsoft Windows 11 Pro Retail
- Key delivered by email right after payment
- Download link and activation guide included
- Secure checkout · digital product, nothing shipped
Windows 11 Pro is the business edition of Windows 11. It has everything in Windows 11 Home, plus BitLocker drive encryption, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V virtual machines and the option to join a company domain. This Retail licence activates one PC, and you can move it to a new computer later after removing it from the old one. You get the key by email after payment, with a download link and activation instructions.
- Activates 1 PC with a genuine 25-character Windows 11 Pro product key
- Retail licence: can be moved to a new PC after removal from the old one
- Includes BitLocker, Remote Desktop host, Hyper-V and domain join
- Includes all display languages and the 64-bit edition
- Digital delivery: nothing is shipped
What does Windows 11 Pro add over Windows 11 Home?
Pro adds tools for security, remote work and IT management that Home doesn't have. If you only browse, stream and use Office, Home is usually enough. If you store client files, work remotely or run virtual machines, Pro is the edition built for that.
| Feature | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| BitLocker drive encryption | No (device encryption only on some PCs) | Yes |
| Remote Desktop host (connect to this PC) | No | Yes |
| Hyper-V virtual machines | No | Yes |
| Windows Sandbox | No | Yes |
| Group Policy editor | No | Yes |
| Join a domain or Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) | No | Yes |
Why BitLocker matters on a laptop
BitLocker encrypts the whole drive, so a lost or stolen laptop doesn't hand over your files. Without the recovery key, the data can't be read even if the drive is taken out and put in another computer. Before you turn it on, save the recovery key to your Microsoft account or print it.
Remote Desktop and Hyper-V for working from anywhere
With Pro, you can connect to your office PC from another device using Remote Desktop. Hyper-V lets you run a separate Windows or Linux system in a window on the same PC, which is useful for testing software or keeping work and personal tools apart.
Can I move a Retail Windows 11 Pro licence to a new PC?
Yes. A Retail licence isn't tied to one computer, so you can move it to a new PC after removing it from the old one. It can only be active on one PC at a time.
| OEM | Retail | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows features and updates | Identical | Identical |
| PCs covered | 1 | 1 (one at a time) |
| Tied to the first PC's hardware | Yes | No |
| Move to a new PC | Generally not allowed | Yes, after removal from the old PC |
| After a motherboard replacement | Often treated as a new PC; reactivation may fail | Can usually be reactivated |
To move the licence, remove the key from the old PC first: open Command Prompt as administrator and run slmgr /upk. Then enter the key on the new PC under Settings → System → Activation. If activation on the new PC fails, contact our support team with your order number.
What are the system requirements for Windows 11 Pro?
Windows 11 Pro needs a compatible 64-bit processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, UEFI with Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. These are Microsoft's minimums, and the same rules apply to Windows 11 Home, Pro and Enterprise. Most PCs from the last few years meet them, but older machines often fail on the TPM 2.0 or processor check.
| Component | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, 2 or more cores, compatible 64-bit CPU or SoC |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB or more |
| Storage | 64 GB or more |
| System firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| Security chip | TPM version 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 12 compatible, WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | 720p (HD), larger than 9" diagonal |
| Internet | Needed for activation, updates and some features |
To check your own PC, run Microsoft's PC Health Check app or read the official Windows 11 requirements.
How do I activate Windows 11 Pro?
If Windows 11 is already installed, you enter the key in Settings. For a new PC or a fresh start, install Windows 11 first using Microsoft's official media from the download link in your email, then enter the key.
- Open Settings → System → Activation.
- Select Change product key (on Home PCs, it's under "Upgrade your edition of Windows").
- Enter the 25-character key from your order email and select Next.
- If you're upgrading from Home, let the PC restart. The upgrade usually takes a few minutes.
- Go back to Activation and check that it says Windows is activated.
A common issue we see is a key entered on the wrong edition. A Pro key won't activate Windows 11 Home directly. Use "Change product key" as above so Windows upgrades to Pro first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move my Retail licence to a new PC?
Remove the key from the old PC first by running slmgr /upk in an administrator Command Prompt, or by wiping the old PC. Then enter the key on the new PC under Settings → System → Activation. The licence can only be active on one PC at a time.
Can I use one Retail key on two PCs at the same time?
No. A Retail licence covers one PC at a time. You can move it from one computer to another, but not share it between them. For several computers, choose a multi-PC version or buy one key per PC.
Can I upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro with this key?
Yes. Enter the key under Settings → System → Activation → Change product key. Windows upgrades to Pro in place, and your files, apps and settings stay where they are. You don't need to reinstall or download anything else.
Is this a subscription?
No. Windows 11 Pro is a one-time purchase, with no monthly or yearly fee. Security and feature updates come from Microsoft through Windows Update at no extra cost, for as long as your Windows version is supported.
Looking for something else? Browse all Windows 11 keys, or save on a Windows + Office bundle.
