Windows 11 was released as a beacon of hope for users who want the best gaming experience on their computer. It offers an intuitive design, improved features, and gaming enhancements that improve gaming performance. When you are thinking of choosing between Windows 11 Home vs Pro for gaming, first, you need to know the differences. This article explains why you should upgrade to Windows 11 for gaming and the differences between the Home and Pro editions. You will learn which one to choose and how to improve gaming performance in Windows 11.

Why You Need to Upgrade to Windows 11 for Gaming?

Windows 11 has many advanced features that surpass Windows 10. Look here to explore why you should upgrade to Windows 11 for gaming:

Auto-HDR Feature

Windows 11 has an Auto-HDR (High Dynamic Range) quality monitor that increases the color range and brightness of your computer monitor. It makes the gaming visuals more vibrant, sharp, and realistic, while the SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) has lower sharpness. If you’re a gaming gem with action, fighting, and adventure games, the Auto-HDR feature is very appealing and it will pull you into the gaming world.

DirectStorage

Microsoft includes DirectStorage in Windows 11 to improve the gaming experience. DirectStorage is a Microsoft Application Programming Interface (API) that improves disk access and reduces slow-loading times. It acts as a mediator between the SSD and the GPU, sending data to the GPU for decompression, processing, and rendering the game. Therefore, connecting the DirectStorage with an SSD makes a lightning-fast gaming experience for users.

Built-in Xbox App for Gamers

A PC gamer is well-known with the Xbox app and Game Pass applications. Before Microsoft released Windows 11, gamers downloaded from the Microsoft Store. They connected it to their devices to play games. However, Windows 11 offers an Xbox app and Game Pass as a built-in feature, which makes it easier to play games with Cloud Gaming on their computer.

Improved Start Menu

Windows 11 updated Start Menu with multiple layouts for users. Though gamers might consider it an insignificant change, it can offer convenience for gameplay streamers. Any gamer can utilize the improved Start Menu to easily access their game with their own custom settings.

A gamer can customize the Start Menu with their favorite games and apps in Windows 11. This feature ensures the use Start Menu with only useful apps for the users.

Extended Microsoft Official Support

If you are using the Windows 10 operating system, your official support already ended in October 2025. That means your OS won’t get any security updates and will expose security vulnerabilities. So, you can’t play games with an outdated operating system where your security is under threat. However, Windows 11 is the latest operating system with long lifecycle support from Microsoft and excellent gaming features.

What is The Difference Between Windows 11 Home vs Pro for Gaming

Windows 11 Home vs Pro has similar features and benefits, but Windows 11 Pro is slightly ahead of the Home edition. Here we described some differences between them:

Differences in CPU

Windows 11 Pro and Home have major gaps in their CPU performance. Windows 11 Home supports one CPU with 64 cores, while Windows 11 Pro supports two CPUs with 128 cores. We all know that having more CPU power is important. It helps applications run smoothly, allows for multitasking, reduces loading times, and improves gaming performance.

If your system doesn’t support a large CPU or many cores, you can still enjoy a better gaming experience. The more CPU or cores your computer has, you will enjoy better gaming performance and faster running while playing games. For casual players, Windows 11 Home edition provides satisfactory performance, but Windows 11 Pro is best suited for professional gamers, such as gameplay streamers or e-sports players. Verify Windows 11 system requirements here.

Security Features

Microsoft enhances security features for Windows 11 to make it a powerful OS for personal to professional usage. Windows 11 editions have the utmost security, but Windows 11 Pro has more security features than other editions. It has BitLocker Encryption that provides security against unauthorized access and data breaches. Also, it has Group Policy Management to manage all of your system functionalities.

Random Access Memory

The RAM or Random Access Memory, is a crucial part of any computer system. It ensures multiple tasks or games run smoothly on your device without loading interruptions. There are differences in RAM between Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Home. The Home edition has 128 GB, while the Pro edition comprises 2 TB of RAM.  

Bigger RAM increases gaming performance and reduces system lag. However, 128 GB of RAM is good enough for gaming like casual gamers, but 2 TB of RAM is more than enough for professional gamers. So, you should consider this factor before purchasing Windows 11.

Windows 11 Home vs Pro Price Differences

Pricing is another important factor to consider before buying any Windows 11 edition. Windows 11 Home is available for $139 and Windows 11 Pro is $199.99 from the Microsoft official website.

However, if you have Windows 11 Home installed, you can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro by purchasing a valid Pro upgrade license key. Also, you can upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free if your Windows is activated. So, it’s your decision on how you want to buy Windows 11!

We have already discussed key differences between Windows 11 Home vs Pro for gaming. We provided a quick overview below:

5 Must-Know Facts Between Windows 11 Home vs Pro for Gaming

You should know these 5 must-know facts before choosing Windows 11 Pro vs Windows 11 Home for gaming:

1. Both Windows 11 Home and Pro editions have the same features.
2. Windows 11 Home supports one CPU with 64 cores and the Pro edition supports two CPUs with 128 cores.
3. The Home version contains 128 GB of RAM, while 11 Pro supports 2 TB of RAM.
4. Windows Security and Secure Boot are available in both Home and Pro editions, but Windows 11 Pro has only BitLocker encryption.
5. Windows 11 Home is only $139, and Windows 11 Pro is only $199.99 on the Microsoft website.

Windows 11 Home vs Pro for Gaming: Which One Should You Choose?

Windows 11 Home and Pro offer identical gaming performance when running on the same hardware. The main differences relate to advanced management and security features rather than gaming speed.

Choosing between Windows 11 Pro and Home for gaming depends on how you use your PC. If you play casually, Windows 11 Home is a great fit. If you’re a professional gamer, streamer, or eSports player, or want more advanced features, choose Windows 11 Pro.

How to Enhance Gaming Performance on Windows 11?

Uplift your gaming performance on Windows 11 with some simple methods. So, why haven’t you done it yet? Let’s learn the process:

Enable Game Mode

The Game Mode feature is available on Windows 11 to optimize gaming performance by reducing background activity. Follow this process to enable game mode:

• Click on the Search icon and type Settings.
• Open the Settings and select Gaming on the left side.
• Now, click on the Game Mode on the right side.
• Turn on the Game Mode and close the settings.

Turn On High Performance Mode in Power Plan

Enabling High Performance mode increases power usage to maximize system performance during gaming and ensures a better gaming experience. See below for the process:

• Type Control Panel in the Search bar.
• Click on the Control Panel Items under the Control Panel.
• Now, tap the Power Options and turn the High Performance option on the right side.

Update Graphics Drivers

An updated graphics driver offers the best performance and compatibility while playing games on your computer. Look at the procedures:

• Write Device Manager in the Search bar.
• Open the Device Manager and tap on the Arrow sign to expand the Display Adaptors.
• Now, right-click on the graphic drivers you want to update.
• Click the Update driver option and follow the further process to complete.
• Restart your computer to change the settings.

Disable Background Apps

Background apps use a lot of your PC’s resources. This can slow your system while you play games. So, disable some background apps to improve performance. Here are the processes:

• Press Win+I to open the Settings.
• Tap the Apps icon on the left and click Installed Apps.
• Choose the unwanted apps and click on the three dots and select Advanced options.
• Now, navigate to the Background Apps Permission and choose Never to disable the background apps.

Final Thoughts

Finally, this article compared Windows 11 Home vs Pro for gaming. It also explained the benefits of upgrading from older Windows versions and provided useful tips to boost gaming performance on your computer. Now you can confidently choose the Windows 11 edition that best fits your gaming needs. Bookmark Msckey for the latest updates, fixes, and practical tips on software to help you get the best performance from your PC.

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