Windows 11 Pro and Pro N are both professional editions of Microsoft’s latest operating system, but they have some important differences that users should understand before choosing between them. This article examines the key distinctions between these two Windows 11 versions to help you determine which one best fits your needs.
Core Differences
The main difference between Windows 11 Pro and Pro N is that Pro N lacks certain media-related features and technologies that come pre-installed with the standard Pro edition. Specifically, Windows 11 Pro N does not include:
- Windows Media Player
- Music, TV, and Movies apps
- Voice Recorder
- Skype
- Various audio and video codecs
Pro N was created to comply with European Union regulations around bundling media software with operating systems. Users can still download and install media applications separately if needed.
Feature Comparison
Security
Both Windows 11 Pro and Pro N offer robust security features including:
- Windows Hello biometric authentication
- BitLocker device encryption
- Windows Defender antivirus
The core security capabilities are identical between the two versions.
Performance
In terms of overall system performance, Windows 11 Pro and Pro N are virtually identical. The absence of pre-installed media apps in Pro N may result in slightly faster boot times and marginally more free storage space out of the box. However, the performance difference is negligible for most users.
Productivity
Windows 11 Pro includes productivity-focused features like:
- Remote Desktop
- Hyper-V virtualization
- Windows Sandbox
- Group Policy Editor
Pro N retains all of these advanced productivity capabilities. The lack of built-in media apps does not impact core business and professional functionality.
Gaming
Both versions support DirectX 12 Ultimate and other gaming technologies. Pro N users may need to manually install certain audio/video codecs for optimal compatibility with some games. Overall gaming performance is equivalent between Pro and Pro N.
Who Should Choose Pro N?
Windows 11 Pro N is best suited for:
- Users in the EU who prefer to choose their own media applications
- Organizations that want to avoid potential licensing issues around bundled media software
- Individuals who don’t need built-in media apps and want a slightly leaner initial install
For most other users, standard Windows 11 Pro offers a more complete out-of-box experience without any real downsides.
Installation and Upgrades
Both Windows 11 Pro and Pro N can be clean installed or upgraded from Windows 10. The system requirements are identical:
- 1 GHz+ dual-core 64-bit processor
- 4 GB RAM
- 64 GB storage
- DirectX 12 compatible graphics
- TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot capable
Users can switch between Pro and Pro N by doing a clean install of the desired version. There is no direct upgrade path between the two.
Windows 11 Pro and Pro N are fundamentally the same operating system with only minor differences in pre-installed media capabilities. For most users, the standard Pro edition offers the simplest experience. But Pro N remains a viable option for those with specific needs around media application choice and licensing compliance.