Is Windows 11 Free?

[douglas9]

Microsoft released its Windows 11 operating system on October 5, 2021 officially. Is Windows 11 free? The question can't be answered with a simple yes or not. Windows 11 is free under certain conditions, otherwise, it is available at Microsoft and other retail locations for a price.

Answer: Microsoft customers who run an activated Windows 10 installation on a device may upgrade to Windows 11 for free. Windows 11 needs to be purchased from Microsoft and other retail locations otherwise.

https://www.ghacks.net/2021/10/06/is-windows-11-free/

[Tetrachloride]

1. Do no upgrade on your main machine

1. Let professionals and adventurers do the first installs.

2. Meanwhile, back up your data, 2x. Don’t be like Facebook and not have a backup standing by.

3. There are bound to be some catastrophic ( computer erasures) installs or super glaring security holes.

4. Finally, your favorite software may not be compatible.

[Wounded Bear]

2. I never upgrade in the first year of an update...

I'm not a beta tester.

Seriously, though, your point #1 perfectly describes my strategy.

[Best_man23]

3. 1000% Agree with no upgrade in the first year

Also, Mister Softy has a long history of every other Windows version release having significant issues. See following.

Windows 98 - Good

Windows ME - Had Issues

Windows XP - Good

Windows Vista - Had LOTS of issues

Windows 10 - Good

Windows 11 - ???

Yeah, I would wait a year and see how Win 11 performs before upgrading. If deciding to upgrade, always best to perform a fresh install vice upgrading an existing Win 10 installation.

[canetoad]

5. You forgot

Windows 8 & 8.1.

[msongs]

4. probably free, most likely unneeded nt