What is Windows 11 Pro N Edition? What is the difference between Windows 11 Pro and Pro N? Which one should you install on your PC? From this post of MiniTool, you can know much information about Windows 11 Pro vs Pro N and how to install one.

As a brand-new operating system, Windows 11 has been installed by many people. If your PC meets its minimum system requirements after a compatibility test, you may choose to install Windows 11 from a USB drive with ISO. During the installation process, you are asked to choose an edition.

On the Select the operating system you want to install page, you see Microsoft releases multiple Windows 11 Editions including Home, Pro, Pro N, Pro Education, Pro Education N, Pro for Workstation, Education, and more.

In terms of Windows 11 editions, some of you may wonder about Windows 11 Home and Pro & Windows 11 Pro and Pro N since they are the most popular. In our previous post – Windows 11 Home vs Pro: What’s the Difference, you can know details about Home and Pro. To know Windows 11 Pro vs Pro N, refer to the following parts.

What Is Windows 11 Pro N

Windows 11 Pro is a standard edition of the operating system while Windows 11 Pro N is a special edition of Pro specifically designed for the European market. The N letter stands for “Not with Media Player”. In nature, it is the same as Windows 11 Pro but it doesn’t include any media-related technologies (Windows Media Player, Movies & TV, Groove Music, Skype, and Voice Recorder).

The reason behind this is to fulfill European Union regulations related to media playback. Since Windows 10, Microsoft offers a special Windows 10 N edition for Windows in Europe.

Windows 10 Pro Vs Pro N: What’s The Difference Between Them
Windows 10 Pro Vs Pro N: What’s The Difference Between Them

This post will focus on Windows 10 Pro vs Pro N since many people want to know the difference between these two editions.

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But this doesn’t mean you cannot use any media software. You can still download and install one online like VLC Media Player, Netflix, etc.

Windows 11 Pro vs Pro N: Similarity & Difference

When comparing Windows 11 Pro N and Windows 11 Pro, you can find some similarities and differences, and let’s see them.

Windows 11 Pro vs Pro N – Similarity

In multiple aspects including the overall layout of the system, widgets, secure boot, virtual desktop, parental control, and Windows Security, these two editions are similar. If you install Windows 11 Pro or Pro N, you can use these features and more. Besides, they offer better compatibility with diverse software and applications except for apps depending on media-related technologies.

In performance, Windows 11 Pro has superior multitasking capabilities and offers fast boot-up and shutdown time. Although Windows 11 Pro N removes media software, it still offers a smooth and efficient performance similar to Pro.

In security, Pro N includes similar security measures to Pro to keep the PC safe, for example, threat prevention and detection, Windows Hello facial recognition, Hardware-based encryption, Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), etc.

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Difference Between Windows 11 Pro and Pro N

Windows 11 Pro N vs Pro, what’s the difference? Windows 11 Pro N doesn’t include some media-related features of Windows 11 Pro:

  • Windows Media Player application
  • Windows Media DRM
  • Windows Media Format
  • Windows Media Player Runtime
  • Media Foundation
  • Media sharing and Play To
  • Windows Portable Devices (WPD) infrastructure
  • VC-1, MPEG-4, and H.264, H.265, and H.263 codecs
  • MPEG, WMA, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, AMR, and Dolby Digital audio codecs
  • Voice Recorder
  • Movies & TV
  • Skype

Besides, some features are not removed from Windows 11 Pro N but they are affected. They may not work properly if Media Feature Pack isn’t installed on your PC. To know these excluded features and affected features, refer to the More information about Windows 10/11 N section of this guide from Microsoft – Media Feature Pack for Windows 10/11 N (September 2022).

When reading here, you may ask Windows 11 Pro N vs Pro: which one to install?  Practically, Windows 11 Pro N and Pro are the same and the only difference is Pro N lacks media-related features. For professional users, Pro is suitable. If you are a user in Europe, Windows 11 Professional N is recommended.

How to Install Windows 11 Pro N or Pro on PC?

To install Pro or Pro N on your PC, prepare an ISO file of Windows 11. On Microsoft’s website, the multi-edition ISO is offered. Just go to the Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) section to download one ISO. Then, run Rufus to create a bootable USB drive by burning the ISO to USB. Next, boot the PC from USB and follow the on-screen wizards to finish the installation of Pro or Pro N.

install Windows 11 Pro or Pro N

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Note that before you install Windows 11, make sure you have backed up your important files on the hard drive since the clean install could lead to data loss, especially data saved on the C drive. To do this work, you can choose the free backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker and then follow the guide – How to Backup Files on Windows 10/11 to finish file backup.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

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