Windows 11 Home costs $139 and Windows 11 Pro costs $199 when you buy them directly from Microsoft

Microsoft sells Windows 11 Home as a standalone license for $139 and Windows 11 Pro for $199. These are the official retail prices you'll see on Microsoft's website and at authorized retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Newegg. If you're upgrading from Windows 10, the price is the same — Microsoft doesn't offer a discount for existing users.

Most people don't pay these prices because Windows 11 comes pre-installed on new computers. When you buy a laptop or desktop, the license cost is built into the total price, and you never see it as a separate line item. The actual amount varies by manufacturer and retailer, but it's typically $100 to $150 less than buying the license alone.

If you need a license for a computer that doesn't have Windows, or you're replacing a failed installation, you have three main routes: buy it directly from Microsoft, buy a key from a retailer, or use a key from an old computer if you're not using that computer anymore.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 11 Home is $139 and Windows 11 Pro is $199 when purchased as a standalone license from Microsoft or authorized retailers.
  • New computers come with Windows 11 pre-installed, so the license cost is already included in the purchase price and not charged separately.
  • You can transfer a Windows 11 license from one computer to another only if you remove it from the original computer first.
  • Cheaper keys sold by third-party sites often come from bulk licenses or other sources and may stop working if Microsoft detects a violation.
  • Windows 11 Home and Pro differ mainly in features like Remote Desktop, Hyper-V, and BitLocker encryption — not in performance or speed.

Home versus Pro: what the extra $60 buys

Windows 11 Pro adds four main features that Home doesn't have: Remote Desktop (so you can control the computer from another device), Hyper-V (for running virtual machines), BitLocker (full-disk encryption), and Group Policy Editor (for managing settings across multiple computers). If you're a home user or small business owner who doesn't need these tools, Home is the right choice.

Pro also lets you join a Windows domain and connect to a business network more easily, and it includes Windows Sandbox — a temporary isolated environment for testing software. These features matter if you work in IT, manage a network, or run a business that needs centralized control over multiple machines. For everyone else, the $60 difference isn't worth it.

Both versions get the same security updates, performance improvements, and new features when Microsoft releases them. The difference is not in how fast your computer runs or how protected it is — it's in what you can do with it.

Where to buy a Windows 11 license and what to watch for

The safest place to buy is Microsoft's website directly, or authorized retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, Newegg, and B&H Photo. These sellers provide genuine keys that will work indefinitely. You'll receive a product key via email or in the box, and you can use it to download Windows 11 from Microsoft's website and activate it on your computer.

Cheaper keys from third-party resellers — often $20 to $80 — usually come from bulk licenses, academic licenses, or other sources where the original buyer is no longer using them. These keys may work when you first use them, but Microsoft can deactivate them later if the company detects that they were obtained in violation of the license agreement. If that happens, you'll need to buy a new license to keep using Windows.

Keys labeled as "OEM" (Original Equipment Manufacturer) are tied to the first computer they're installed on and cannot be transferred. Keys from "key resellers" or "gray market" sites are often cheaper because they're selling licenses that were never meant to be resold individually. Buying from these sources is a gamble — you might save money, or you might lose it if the key stops working.

Transferring a license from one computer to another

If you have a Windows 11 license on a computer you're no longer using, you can move it to a new computer, but only if you uninstall it from the old one first. Sign into the old computer, go to Settings > System > Activation, and select "Uninstall product key." Then use that same key to activate Windows 11 on your new computer.

This works for retail licenses — the kind you buy directly from Microsoft or authorized retailers. OEM licenses, which come pre-installed on computers you buy from manufacturers, are locked to that specific computer and cannot be transferred. If you buy a used computer with an OEM license, that license stays with the computer; you cannot move it to a different machine.

If you're upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on the same computer, you don't need a new license. Windows 10 licenses convert to Windows 11 automatically when you upgrade, as long as your computer meets the system requirements.

What happens if you don't buy a license

Windows 11 will run without a license, but with limitations. You'll see a watermark in the bottom right corner of your screen saying "Activate Windows," and you won't be able to customize your desktop background, lock screen, or accent colors. You can still use all the core features — browse the web, run programs, work with files — but the system will remind you regularly that it's not activated.

Microsoft will not force you to buy a license or stop your computer from working. However, using Windows without a license violates the terms of service, and Microsoft could theoretically take action against you. In practice, the company relies on the watermark and restrictions to encourage people to buy a license rather than pursuing individual users.

If you're testing Windows 11 or using it temporarily, running without a license is technically possible. But if you plan to use the computer regularly, buying a license removes the watermark and gives you access to all features, and it's the legal way to use the software.

Discounts and sales on Windows 11 licenses

Microsoft rarely discounts Windows 11 licenses on its own website. The official price of $139 for Home and $199 for Pro stays the same year-round. However, retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Newegg occasionally run sales, especially during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and back-to-school season. Discounts are usually $10 to $30 off, not dramatic reductions.

If you're a student, teacher, or work in education, you may be able to get Windows 11 through your school's software licensing program at a reduced price or for free. Check with your school's IT department or software distribution center to see what's available to you.

Subscription services like Microsoft 365 include a Windows 11 license as part of the package, but you're paying for the entire subscription — typically $70 to $100 per year — not just the operating system. This makes sense if you also want Office, cloud storage, and other Microsoft services, but it's more expensive than buying a standalone license if you only need Windows.

System requirements and compatibility

Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, particularly around CPU compatibility and TPM 2.0 (a security chip). Not every computer that runs Windows 10 can run Windows 11. Before you buy a license, check whether your computer meets the requirements by running the PC Health Check tool on Microsoft's website, or by looking up your processor model on Microsoft's official CPU list.

If your computer doesn't meet the requirements, you have two choices: buy a new computer that supports Windows 11, or stick with Windows 10. Windows 10 will continue to receive security updates until October 2025, so it's still safe to use for now. After that date, Microsoft will no longer release updates, and using Windows 10 will become a security risk.

If you're buying a new computer specifically to run Windows 11, the license is already included in the price. You don't need to buy it separately — it comes activated and ready to use when you turn on the machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same Windows 11 license on two computers at the same time?

No. A retail Windows 11 license can only be active on one computer at a time. If you install it on a second computer, it will deactivate on the first one. You need a separate license for each computer you want to use.

What's the difference between a retail key and an OEM key?

A retail key can be transferred to a different computer if you uninstall it from the original one. An OEM key is locked to the first computer it's installed on and cannot be moved. OEM keys are cheaper because they're meant for manufacturers, not individual buyers.

If I buy a used computer with Windows 11, do I need to buy a new license?

If the computer has an OEM license (pre-installed by the manufacturer), that license stays with the computer — you don't need to buy a new one. If it has a retail license, the previous owner should uninstall it before selling the computer to you, and you'll need to buy your own license to activate Windows 11.

Can I buy a Windows 11 key from a cheap reseller and save money?

You might save money upfront, but the key could stop working later if Microsoft detects it was obtained illegally or in violation of the license agreement. Buying from authorized retailers costs more but guarantees the key will work indefinitely.

Do I have to pay for Windows 11 updates after I buy the license?

No. Once you buy a Windows 11 license, all updates and new features are free. Microsoft doesn't charge for updates or upgrades to Windows 11 — you only pay once when you buy the license.