Best way to get Windows 11?

[aldirjr]

Hi,

I know Windows is not a hardware but I didnt see any area for OS discussions... but as I am building my first PC, I thought would be ok to post here.

Yeah, just bought the components and now I need to buy the OS. I checked the prices and I was a bit shocked (been using mac os for the last 13 years). My friend said that the best option would be to buy a Windows 10 Pro License and then upgrade for free to Windows 11, but that does sounds catchy... I could just buy a 11 one, of course, but I spent more than I should with my pc parts haha, so trying to save some money here... any other ideas?

Also, I read somewhere than only the latest versions of windows 10 could be upgraded for free to windows 11, not sure if this impact anything with the plan above.

Regards,
Junior
ps: not sure if it helps, but this is my build, just in case:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700KF 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor ($359.55 @ Amazon Australia)
CPU Cooler: Corsair iCUE H100i ELITE CAPELLIX XT 65.57 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($248.00 @ Amazon Australia)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI D4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($299.00 @ Centre Com)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($129.00 @ Amazon Australia)
Storage: Crucial P3 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($154.00 @ Amazon Australia)
Video Card: Asus DUAL OC GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 12 GB Video Card ($449.00 @ MSY Technology)
Case: Corsair iCUE 4000D RGB Airflow QL Edition ATX Mid Tower Case ($239.00 @ Scorptec)
Power Supply: Corsair RM750 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($159.00 @ Amazon Australia)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit ($139.49 @ Amazon Australia)
Monitor: BenQ MOBIUZ EX2710S 27.0" 1920 x 1080 165 Hz Monitor ($349.00 @ Scorptec)
Total: $2525.04
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-12-20 10:17 AEDT+1100

 

[Brian Boru]

I didnt see any area for OS discussions

No worries, you're in the right place—we have an ongoing Random Software topics in this forum, and occasional software threads.

My guess is your friend is right re Win10—but Home version should be cheaper than Pro.
If you get it, make sure you have a reason to want Win11—many of us are happily on Win10 and waiting for Win12 in October next year …that's my wild guess … so you may be fine on Win10, there isn't anything major in 11 so far.

I don't see anything wonderful in these articles—unless you're a student—but for what it's worth:

How to get Windows 11 cheap (or even for free)

Unlike taxes, paying full price for Windows isn't inevitable. In fact, depending on your circumstances (and how much effort you're willing to apply), you could pay nothing for it.

www.pcworld.com

[their store has OEM Win11 for $60]

How to get Windows 11 for free | Digital Trends

If you already have a legal Windows 10 installation, you can easily upgrade to Windows 11 for free. Here's how to do it.

www.digitaltrends.com

 

[Colif]

My friend said that the best option would be to buy a Windows 10 Pro License and then upgrade for free to Windows 11, but that does sounds catchy..

That works as for 6 months there were no Windows 11 installer USBs, Microsoft wanted to use up their Win 10 installers. The licence works on windows 11. NO need to install 10 at all, just use the licence on a win 11 installer. It works.

Also, I read somewhere than only the latest versions of windows 10 could be upgraded for free to windows 11, not sure if this impact anything with the plan above.

If you were doing an inplace upgrade from 10, that might matter. But if you just use the licence and install win 11, it doesn't matter. Version numbers don't affect clean installs.

If you were on win 10 and it was up to date with updates, you are on latest Version. A new version is released for free every year and is installed on every Win 10 PC through windows update. Its not something you have to buy to be on.

you can download the installer now, its free. The licence is what costs money - https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11