TL;DR: Leave Windows 10 behind and get a lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro for $12.97 (reg. $199).
A new Windows license usually costs around $200, which is a lot to spend on a computer you already own. If you’d rather update your PC for less, try a Windows 11 Pro lifetime license on sale for $12.97 (reg. $199).
Microsoft extended Windows 10 support to Oct. 2027, but those Extended Security Updates only include security patches. You won’t get new features, non-security fixes, or technical support on an operating system near the end of its life.
Windows 11 Pro has a sleeker UI, better multitasking, and stronger security, and you pay for it once. Microsoft is also bringing back the movable taskbar and adding a resizable Start menu, with both changes rolling out in stages.
The best tech deal this week
For professionals, creators, and power users, the Pro edition also includes Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, and Azure AD integration. Hyper-V lets you run virtual machines on the same computer, and Windows Sandbox opens a disposable desktop for testing apps you don’t trust. BitLocker encrypts your drive, so a lost laptop doesn’t expose your files. With Azure AD integration, IT teams can manage work accounts and sign-ins from one place.
Windows 11 also comes with Copilot, an AI assistant that can summarize pages, change settings, or help you write code as you work. You can ask it to turn on dark mode or find a file instead of digging through menus.
A one-time payment of $12.97 is the full cost, with no subscription or yearly renewal to track.
Mashable Deals
Give your PC a modern operating system for a one-time price. Through Nov. 8, you can get Windows 11 Pro for life for just $12.97.
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