Microsoft Windows 11 Professional OEM Key
- 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 OEM licence activates one PC and stays tied to the first computer you activate it on. 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
- OEM licence: tied to the first PC it is activated on
- 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.
What does OEM mean for a Windows 11 Pro key?
OEM means the licence is meant for one specific PC. Once activated, it stays tied to that computer's hardware and, as a general rule, can't be moved to another PC. Features and updates are exactly the same as in the Retail version.
| 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 |
OEM is a good fit when you're building a new PC or installing Windows on a computer you plan to keep for years. If you replace or rebuild PCs often, a Retail licence gives you more flexibility.
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.
Because an OEM key binds to the first PC it activates, enter it on the computer you intend to keep it on, not on a temporary or test machine.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move an OEM licence to a new PC?
As a general rule, no. An OEM licence stays tied to the first PC it's activated on and ends with that PC. If you expect to move Windows to new hardware later, a Retail licence is the better choice.
Is OEM Windows a different version from Retail?
No. OEM and Retail install from the same Microsoft media and have exactly the same features and updates. The only difference is the licence terms: how the key is tied to the hardware and whether you can transfer it.
What happens if I replace the motherboard?
Windows treats a new motherboard as a new PC, so an OEM licence will often not reactivate after the swap. Smaller changes, such as a new drive, RAM or graphics card, usually don't affect activation. If you're unsure, contact our support team with your order number first.
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.
Looking for something else? Browse all Windows 11 keys, or save on a Windows + Office bundle.
