Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system has been on the retail market for over seven years and was superseded by Windows 11 in October 2021. However, despite its older version, Windows 10 is still the most popular version of Windows with a global market share of 67.95%. in December 2022, compared to 16.97% for Windows 11 According to StatCounter.
But now Microsoft seems ready to put the brakes on issuing new Windows 10 licenses to everyday consumers. Microsoft’s official product page windows 10 home (opens in new tab) When windows 10 pro (opens in new tab) Now includes the following disclaimer:
January 31, 2023 will be the end of sale date for this Windows 10 download. Windows 10 will continue to be supported with security updates that help protect your PC from viruses, spyware, and other malware until October 14, 2025.
So if you want to download software directly from Microsoft, you only have a few weeks before the company pulls the plug. Microsoft currently offers Windows 10 Home as a direct download for $139, but Windows 10 Pro will set you back $199.
Keep in mind, however, that this only pertains to Windows 10 downloads purchased directly from Microsoft by consumers. Plus, we don’t know what kind of backroom deals Microsoft has with his vast number of OEM PC partners. So it’s entirely possible that you’ll be able to purchase a Windows 10 license in the near future.
Microsoft has ended consumer sales of Windows 10 on its web store, but there are plenty of other ways to download the operating system or buy it on DVD. For example, Amazon offers OEM versions of Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro on DVD. $109.99 (opens in new tab) When $146.99 (opens in new tab), Respectively. Alternatively, online sites like Kinguin offer Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro product keys for well under $30.
It’s easy to see why Microsoft is moving towards ending sales of Windows 10. We want more users to migrate to the current Windows 11 operating system as soon as possible. Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. This means no security or antivirus/malware protection. Naturally, Microsoft hopes that sooner or later customers won’t have to wait too long to get a free upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
