Windows 11 Pro or Pro for Workstations? Pro for Workstations contains everything from Windows 11 Pro plus four extensions for very large computers: up to 4 processors instead of 2, up to 6 TB of memory instead of 2 TB, the ReFS file system and fast network access with SMB Direct, as well as support for non-volatile memory. For a PC with one processor and an ordinary amount of memory, the edition brings no advantage. It pays off for workstations with several processor sockets, a very large amount of RAM or large data sets.
Quick decision
Pro is enough if …
- the computer has one or two processors (the number of cores is not decisive here),
- at most 2 TB of memory is installed,
- your data is on NTFS drives and is to stay that way,
- you do not use network adapters with RDMA.
Pro for Workstations is right if …
- the motherboard has more than two processor sockets populated,
- more than 2 TB of memory is installed or is going to be,
- you want to run large drive arrays with ReFS and Storage Spaces,
- very large files are moved over a fast network with RDMA adapters,
- NVDIMM-N modules are used as non-volatile memory,
- the manufacturer of your workstation or of your specialist software specifies the edition.
The differences in numbers
| Feature | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Pro for Workstations |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum processors (sockets) | 2 | 4 |
| Maximum memory | 2 TB | 6 TB |
| ReFS file system | No | Yes |
| SMB Direct (RDMA) | No | Yes |
| Persistent memory (NVDIMM-N) | No | Yes |
| BitLocker, Remote Desktop, Hyper-V | Yes | Yes |
| Group Policy, domain, Microsoft Entra ID | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum hardware requirements | same as Windows 11 | same as Windows 11 |
| Updates per version | 24 months | 24 months |
Microsoft states the memory limits of 2 TB and 6 TB in its overview of memory limits for Windows 11. The limit of 4 processors and 6 TB is stated on Microsoft’s Windows 11 Pro page. That Pro is limited to 2 processors was stated by Microsoft when it introduced the edition for Windows 10 (“previously limited to 2 CPUs”).
Processors here means physical processors, i.e. populated sockets. A single processor with 16, 32 or 64 cores also runs under Pro.
What the four extensions mean
More processors and more RAM. Server motherboards with three or four populated sockets and memory in the terabyte range occur in simulation, rendering and data analysis. On such hardware, Pro would leave part of the processors and of the memory unused.
ReFS. The Resilient File System is a file system for large amounts of data. According to Microsoft, it detects when data on a mirrored drive is corrupted and corrects it with the intact copy from the other drive. The benefit therefore only arises together with mirrored Storage Spaces made up of several drives.
SMB Direct. SMB is the protocol for Windows file shares. SMB Direct uses network adapters with RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access). According to Microsoft, file transfers then reach the full speed of the network with very low latency and little processor load. Suitable adapters on both sides are a prerequisite.
Persistent memory. NVDIMM-N modules keep their contents even without power. Pro for Workstations can provide them as very fast, non-volatile storage for applications and data.
What does not differ
Security, management and operation are the same. BitLocker, Windows Hello, Remote Desktop, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, Group Policy and joining a domain or Microsoft Entra ID are included in both editions. Games and ordinary programs do not run faster under Pro for Workstations either. Pro for Workstations does not come with the features that are only included in Enterprise, such as Credential Guard or Personal Data Encryption.
One special point about activation: according to Microsoft, Windows 11 Pro for Workstations must be activated over the internet. Activation by phone is not available for this edition.
Typical cases
CAD workstation with one processor and 128 GB of RAM. Pro. None of the limits is reached.
Rendering workstation with two Xeon processors and 512 GB of RAM. Pro’s limits on the number of processors and on memory are not exceeded. In its 2017 announcement, however, Microsoft described Pro for Workstations as required for server-grade processors such as Intel Xeon. So ask the manufacturer of the device which edition it intends.
Simulation computer with four processors and 3 TB of RAM. Pro for Workstations, otherwise processors and memory remain unused.
Video editing with central storage over 25-gigabit adapters with RDMA. Pro for Workstations, because of SMB Direct.
Gaming PC with one processor. Pro or Home. The difference between these two is covered under
Windows 11 Home or Pro.
Switching between the editions
Pro for Workstations is a separate edition with its own key. A key for Windows 11 Pro does not activate it. According to Microsoft, an existing Windows 11 Pro can be switched by entering a key for Pro for Workstations, without reinstalling. When you reinstall, make sure to choose the edition that matches your key. How to enter the key and what error codes mean is covered under
Activate Windows 11 with a product key.
Neither Pro nor Pro for Workstations is intended for devices whose feature set is to stay the same for years. That is what LTSC is for, see
Windows 11 LTSC 2024: who it is intended for.
At VivaKeys
You can find both editions in the
Windows 11 category. If you are unsure which edition fits your hardware, tell us the motherboard, number of processors and memory before you order, using the contact form. All editions compared:
Windows 11 editions at a glance.
Frequently asked questions
What is Windows 11 Pro for Workstations? An edition of Windows 11 for high-performance computers. It contains all features of Windows 11 Pro plus support for up to 4 processors and 6 TB of memory, ReFS, SMB Direct and non-volatile memory.
Is Windows 11 Pro for Workstations faster than Pro? Not on ordinary hardware. A computer only works faster with it if it has hardware that Pro does not fully use: more than two processors, more than 2 TB of RAM, RDMA network adapters or NVDIMM-N memory.
How many cores does Windows 11 Pro support? For Pro, Microsoft states limits on the number of processors (2) and on memory (2 TB). A single processor with many cores can be used under Pro.
Can I switch from Windows 11 Pro to Pro for Workstations? Yes. Microsoft lists the switch from Pro to Pro for Workstations as supported, by entering a key for Pro for Workstations under Settings > System > Activation and without a restart. The direct switch from Home is also possible, then with a restart.
Do I need Windows 11 Pro for Workstations for a Threadripper or Xeon? What counts for the limits is the number of populated sockets and the amount of memory. According to Microsoft’s 2017 announcement, however, the edition is required for server-grade processors such as Intel Xeon and AMD Opteron. So follow the specification of your device manufacturer.
Does support differ between Pro and Pro for Workstations? No. At Microsoft, both editions belong to the same product group and receive 24 months of updates per version.
Sources
Checked on 2026-11-10 against the publisher’s information:
- www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/business/windows-11-pro-workstations
- www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/business/windows-11-pro
- www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/business/compare-windows-11
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/memory/memory-limits-for-windows-releases
- www.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/blog/2017/12/15/windows-10-pro-workstations-power-advanced-workloads/
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/refs/refs-overview
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/upgrade/windows-edition-upgrades
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-11-home-and-pro
- support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activation/get-help-with-windows-activation-errors