Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft’s Windows operating system. It was released in October 2021 as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 devices. Windows 11 introduces new features like a redesigned user interface, improved multitasking, and enhancements to gaming and security.
Many Windows users are wondering how long Microsoft will provide Windows 11 as a free upgrade. Will there be a cutoff date where you have to pay to upgrade to Windows 11? Or will Microsoft make it free indefinitely?
Quick Answers
– Windows 11 is currently available as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 devices. There is no set end date for the free upgrade offer.
– Microsoft has said they plan to support Windows 11 with free upgrades for the “lifecycle” of the product, which is typically around 10 years.
– After the initial free upgrade period ends, users with non-genuine or pirated copies of Windows will likely have to pay for Windows 11.
– New PCs will likely come pre-loaded with Windows 11 and include a license for it. So you won’t have to pay extra for Windows 11 when buying a new device.
– Overall, regular consumers can expect to get Windows 11 for free for the foreseeable future by upgrading from Windows 10. The free upgrade period could last for years to come.
The Initial Free Upgrade Period
Microsoft first released Windows 11 on October 5, 2021. At launch, they made it available as a free upgrade for Windows 10 devices that meet the minimum system requirements.
This initial free upgrade period is still ongoing as of November 2022. There has been no announced end date for when the free upgrade offer will expire.
When Windows 10 launched in 2015, Microsoft also provided it as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 devices. This inaugural Windows 10 upgrade offer lasted for about 1 year, expiring in July 2016.
Microsoft has not confirmed an exact end date for the Windows 11 free upgrade, but they will likely support it for at least a year from its release. That would mean the initial free upgrade period could continue until around October 2022 at a minimum.
Microsoft’s “Lifecycle” Policy
Microsoft has stated that they plan to provide free Windows 11 upgrades for the lifecycle of the product:
“We do not have a set end date for our free upgrade offer at this time. We will continue to offer it for eligible Windows 10 devices for the foreseeable future.” – Microsoft spokesperson
“Windows 11 will be distributed and supported just like Windows 10. And we’re committed to supporting Windows 10 through its lifecycle.” – Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella
Microsoft’s “lifecycle” policy typically provides around 10 years of support for a Windows edition from its initial release:
– Mainstream Support – Includes free security and feature updates for the first 5 years
– Extended Support – Low-cost paid support for another 5 years
For example, Windows 10 was released in 2015 and will be supported with updates until at least 2025.
Following a similar policy for Windows 11 would mean Microsoft plans to provide free upgrades to it until around 2031. Of course, they could always choose to extend support further like they did with Windows XP.
Upgrading After the Free Period
Once Microsoft does stop providing Windows 11 as a free upgrade, you will still have options for upgrading from Windows 10:
– **Buy a new device** – New PCs will likely come with Windows 11 pre-installed and a license included.
– **Clean install for a fee** – You can do a fresh installation of Windows 11 by purchasing a license from Microsoft or a retailer. Cost is typically $139.
– **Annual subscription** – Microsoft offers Windows 10 and 11 through their 365 subscription plans starting at $99 per year.
So in summary, after the initial free upgrade offer ends, upgrading to Windows 11 will require you to either buy a new device, purchase a license to install it yourself, or subscribe to a Microsoft 365 plan.
Paid Upgrades for Non-Genuine Copies
The free upgrade to Windows 11 is only available for genuine, activated copies of Windows 10.
Those using non-genuine copies, like pirated or cracked versions, will likely have to pay for Windows 11 after the initial free upgrade period.
Microsoft allows anyone to download and install Windows 10 free of charge. But without a license key, you end up with an “unactivated” version that lacks personalization options.
To upgrade these non-genuine Windows 10 installs to Windows 11, users will probably have to purchase a full retail license or Microsoft 365 subscription.
So while legitimate Windows users can expect to keep getting Windows 11 for free in the years ahead, those with pirated copies will eventually have to pay.
Will I Lose Windows 11 if I Don’t Upgrade Now?
If your device meets the system requirements, you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free right now. But what if you don’t upgrade immediately?
The good news is that you will still be able to upgrade to Windows 11 for free even after the initial rollout period ends. Microsoft will likely provide free upgrades until at least 2031 as part of their lifecycle policy.
However, at some point years from now, you will have to pay in order to upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 if you haven’t already. Buying a new PC or purchasing a license will be required.
So you don’t lose out on the free upgrade if you don’t do it right away. But upgrading now does ensure you get Windows 11 at no cost versus paying for it later.
Will Devices Lose Windows 11 Support?
Windows 11 has more stringent system requirements than Windows 10. Some older devices are not eligible for the upgrade due to factors like CPU generation, RAM, TPM version, etc.
On these incompatible systems, you can continue running Windows 10. Microsoft will support Windows 10 until at least October 14, 2025.
But eventually these unsupported devices will reach a point where they can no longer receive security and feature updates for Windows 10. At that point, you’ll have to buy a new machine to get Windows 11.
Devices that can run Windows 11 will likely have support for the OS until at least 2031 before upgrades require payment. The eligibility criteria mostly affects PCs more than 4-5 years old.
So in summary, older hardware will lose Windows 11 support because it doesn’t meet minimum requirements. But newer systems can run it for free through the standard lifecycle policy.
What About Windows 10 Support?
Microsoft is focused on migrating users to Windows 11. They plan to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.
After the Windows 10 end-of-life date, those systems will no longer receive:
– Security updates
– Bug fixes
– Driver updates for new hardware
– Technical support
Running unsupported and unpatched operating systems is risky due to potential malware, hacking, and other vulnerabilities.
To maintain a supported Windows version after 2025, you will have to upgrade to Windows 11. That means most Windows 10 users can expect to get around 4 years of overlap where both versions are supported.
But eventually, the only way to keep getting the latest security and feature updates will be upgrading to Windows 11.
WillMicrosoft Allow Rollbacks to Windows 10?
Microsoft provides a 10-day period after upgrading to Windows 11 when you can roll back and revert to Windows 10.
Beyond this initial grace period, there is no supported automated way to downgrade back to Windows 10.
However, clean installing Windows 10 is possible if you have a license key. And some unofficial tools claim to allow Windows 11 downgrades even after the 10-day window.
Overall, Microsoft wants to move customers to Windows 11 and will make it challenging to revert. Unless major issues arise, a rollback to Windows 10 will require a fresh install rather than an automated restoration.
Can I Upgrade Older Windows Versions to Windows 11?
Windows 11 only supports direct in-place upgrades from Windows 10.
You cannot upgrade to Windows 11 from earlier versions like Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1. Those operating systems are already past their end-of-life dates and do not have upgrade paths to Windows 11.
Here are your options if running an older Windows version:
– Upgrade to Windows 10 first – You may still be able to upgrade free of charge to Windows 10 and then subsequently to Windows 11.
– Back up data and clean install Windows 11 – Wipe your system and do a fresh Windows 11 installation. Requires a license purchase.
– Buy a new device – Purchase a PC that comes with Windows 11 pre-installed.
So unfortunately, there is no direct free upgrade path to Windows 11 for operating systems earlier than Windows 10. You will have to go through Windows 10 first.
Conclusion
Microsoft is positioning Windows 11 as the future of Windows by offering it as a free upgrade for Windows 10 users. They plan to support it with free updates for many years as part of their typical lifecycle policy.
Regular consumers can expect to upgrade to Windows 11 for free through at least 2031. After that, you’ll have to purchase it pre-installed on a new PC or buy a full retail license.
Those with non-genuine and pirated versions of Windows will also eventually have to pay to upgrade to Windows 11 whenever the free upgrade offer expires.
Overall, Microsoft wants to incentivize broad adoption of Windows 11 by providing it as a free upgrade. And they will likely preserve that offer for the full lifespan of Windows 11 over the next decade or so.