If you want to buy a license by itself, the Windows 11 Home edition will cost $139.99, while Pro will cost $199.99. However, most laptops will just come with either one preinstalled.
How much does it cost to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11? It's free. But only Windows 10 PCs that are running the most current version of Windows 10 and meet the minimum hardware specifications will be able to upgrade. You can check to see if you have the latest updates for Windows 10 in Settings/Windows Update.
Windows is so expensive since Microsoft pays for many resources, technologies, and OEMs for its development. The platform is so familiar for users that migrating from it incurs higher costs. And since its price is usually bundled in PCs, you don't expect to pay for it later, thinking it's expensive.
But if you're still hesitant, there's really no reason why you should upgrade to Windows 11 right away. As long as you're on Windows 10, you'll have access to many of Windows 11's key features (like Auto HDR and virtual desktops) as well as critical updates and security patches through 2025.
"The free upgrade offer does not have a specific end date for eligible systems. However, Microsoft reserves the right to eventually end support for the free offer. This end date will be no sooner than October 5, 2022."
Windows 11 and Windows 10 are both operating systems developed by Microsoft, but there are some key differences between them. Windows 11 features a new user interface with a redesigned Start Menu and Taskbar, improved touch controls, enhanced security features, and integrated widgets for quick access to information.
The upgrade is free for Windows 10 PCs that are compatible with Windows 11. Microsoft will release an updated version of its PC Health Check app before the launch so users can see if their PC meets the system requirements to run Windows 11.
Enhanced security: Windows 11 includes several new security features, making it even more resistant to viruses and malware. Better compatibility with hardware and software: Windows 11 is better optimized for today's hardware and software, meaning you'll likely experience fewer compatibility issues.
This Windows 11 operating system comes in a box on a USB flash-drive for quick installation. It includes a perpetual/outright license of the Windows 11 Home edition. It can be installed on a single device. It comes with security features such as firewall protection, password management, virus detection and blocking.
Your PC must have 9 GB of free disk space to download Windows 11.
Hardware requirements
Memory: 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater. Storage: 64 GB or greater available disk space. There might be more storage requirements over time for updates, and to enable specific features within the OS.
How Long Does It Take to Install Windows 11? General: Between 10 and 20 minutes. On different devices, Windows 11 is installed at different times. For example, it only takes about 10 minutes to update on the latest SSD.
Upgrading your system from Windows 10 to Windows 11 will not erase all your files. After the update is completed, you should have access to all user files that were previously available in Windows 10.
You can also upgrade directly from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 11 by buying a retail license, again assuming you have the required hardware. A new retail license costs anywhere between $139 and $309.
But if you're planning on doing a lot of gaming on your PC, you'll definitely want to consider upgrading to Windows 11. With this new operating system, Microsoft has made gaming a big focus. They've worked out many of the performance bugs you might experience with Windows 10 gaming and added new features.
To roll back to Windows 10 from 11, open Settings > System > Recovery and click “Go Back.”
Downgrading from Windows 11 to 10 is simple: Launch Settings via the Start menu or use the key combination [Windows] + [i]. Select the “Recovery” option in the “System” section. Click “Go back” in the category of the same name.
Not only your computer will stay outdated and make your system unstable, it might also put your data at risk. You can wait for a more stable Windows 11 build with more features, but we wouldn't recommend you sticking around with Windows 10 post October 2025.
Windows 10 remains Microsoft's most popular operating system, despite having been superseded by Windows 11 in October 2021. The success of the software has prompted many to look back on previous iterations, comparing Windows 10 vs Windows 8.1 vs Windows 7.
Upgrade to Windows 11 for free using Windows Update
If you have a Windows 10 PC or laptop that's ready for Windows 11, you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free just by running the update tool.
Windows 10 Home and Pro follows the Modern Lifecycle Policy. Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025. The current version, 22H2, will be the final version of Windows 10, and all editions will remain in support with monthly security update releases through that date.
Your device must be running Windows 10, version 2004 or later, to upgrade. Free updates are available through Windows Update in Settings>Update and Security. 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC). 4 gigabyte (GB).
Click the Update & Security tile in the Settings app. Select the Windows Update option on the left panel of the screen. You'll get a notification if Windows 11 is ready for you. You'll notice an option to download and install the update, as well as an option to ignore it below the notification, as seen below.