Top option for acquiring a window key is purchasing it from authorized retailers or using legitimate resale platforms.
Top option for acquiring a window key is purchasing it from authorized retailers or using legitimate resale platforms.
It could be more affordable to start with Windows 10 and then upgrade to 11. You can obtain it from Microsoft. If you previously had Windows 10, you might still have a license that works for the new version. I own many digital licenses due to previous setups, but I no longer use Windows.
This remains the optimal method through official channels for the deal. To be clear, you can indeed apply the W10 key on the W11 installation if you have an older Windows 7 system. If you're using a legacy Windows 7 machine, you can still upgrade to Windows 10 and subsequently to Windows 11 by unregistering the old Windows 7 key with that system.
Also think about this: if a motherboard has ever been set up with Windows 10, it keeps that license forever. For brand new purchases, this doesn’t matter much, but for used boards it could already have W10 installed. I believe version 11 behaves similarly, though I’m not entirely certain.
Having your license tied to your account means you won't need to take any action when changing to another motherboard. Experience aside, there are OEM keys that are completely legal and typically cost about half the price of Microsoft's versions. Microsoft aimed for 160 Swiss francs for Windows 11 Home, while I managed to secure an OEM version for around 130 Swiss francs.