Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Updated: Windows 10 Home is $119, Pro is $199

Jon Martindale
By

heres how to prepare your pc for windows 10 terry myerson silhouette
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Update 6/1/2015 2:00PM: Microsoft has ended speculation by releasing official Windows 10 pricing. The Home version will be $119, and the Pro version will be $199. Both prices are for an OEM copy to be installed on a brand-new PC.

These prices are identical to Windows 8 when it was first released, but a bit higher than current prices. Right now, Windows 8.1 Home 64-bit is $100 on Newegg, and 8.1 Pro 64-bit is $140.

Recommended Videos

Since both copies of Windows 8.1 include a free upgrade to Windows 10, it may make sense to purchase a copy of Windows 8.1 now if you’re running an old operating system not eligible for a free Windows 10 upgrade, or plan to build a new desktop from scratch.

Related

Original article: While Microsoft might have lit a fire under some consumers, kindling interest in Windows 10 this morning with its reservation system tray icon and the announcement that it’s releasing on July 29, Newegg may have leaked something else entirely. While unconfirmed, if true, Newegg’s pricing information suggests that it may well be worth buying a Windows 7 or 8 license and getting the free upgrade, rather than waiting for a full Windows 10 key.

The pricing information comes from a pair of listings that appeared on the Newegg website over the weekend for the Windows 10 Professional OEM and the Windows 10 Home OEM versions. They are still up at the time of writing and are priced at $150 and $110 respectively. This makes them significantly cheaper than the list prices of both Windows 8 and 7, though both can be found at official sources for heavily discounted prices at the moment.

Related: Upgrade options for Windows 10 begin appearing for Windows 7 and 8.1 users

It is also interesting to note that the release date for both new versions of Windows is listed as August 31, which puts their debut almost a month behind that of the upgrade option which Microsoft recently outed as July 29. This could be because Newegg was merely working with a placeholder date when the pages were created, or it could be that those utilizing upgrades via Windows update or ISO download will get priority over those that buy new.

The big questions surrounding the launch of the new OS now are mostly related to how Microsoft plans to treat potential customers who are still languishing on Windows XP and Vista. While it has announced that Windows 7 and 8 users will get the free upgrade, it hasn’t made any such suggestion for those running older systems. While the slightly lower OEM price point versus previous OS generations may be a way to encourage older users to take up the new version, it may be that Microsoft simply leaves those unwilling to move on from decade+ old software in the cold.

What do you think Microsoft will do with XP and Vista users?

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale
Computing Coordinator
Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to…
The Surface Pro 10 sounds amazing, and it may be coming soon
The back of the Surface Pro 9, with the kickstand pulled out.

Microsoft could be getting ready to reveal the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 sooner than expected. Reporting from Windows Central's Zac Bowden indicates the devices might be announced on March 21, and could feature both Intel Core Ultra and Snapdragon X Elite chips under the hood, along with some design tweaks.

These new Surface devices are expected to go all-in on AI features in Windows 11. More important is that we could see the next Surface Laptop in a new ARM-based variant in addition to one with a traditional Intel Core Ultra CPU. This change in chips should not only bring more choice like the Surface Pro 9 did, but also performance gains that can help the devices rival what Apple has accomplished with the iPad Pro, as well as the new MacBook Pro with the M3 chip.

Read more
Microsoft may fix the most frustrating thing about Windows updates
Windows 11 updates are moving to once a year.

Most Windows users will agree that one of the most annoying things about the operating system is the updates. While Windows Updates are necessary, they often tend to come up at the worst possible time, interrupting work and gaming sessions with persistent reminders that the system needs to reboot. Microsoft might be fixing that problem in the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 build, but it's still too early to bid farewell to those ill-timed reboots.

As spotted in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26058, Microsoft is testing "hot patching" for some Windows 11 updates. Hot patching refers to a dynamic method of updating that often doesn't change the software version and may not even need a restart. In the context of Windows 11, it's pretty straightforward -- Windows will install the update, and you won't have to reboot your system.

Read more
A new Windows 11 hardware system requirement may be incoming
A man sits, using a laptop running the Windows 11 operating system.

Microsoft appears to finally be putting its foot down on how far back it's willing to go when it comes to supporting older hardware. As of the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 build, Microsoft will require that your processor supports the POPCNT instruction. If you're wondering what that is and whether this will affect you, you're not alone.

This new addition was spotted by Bob Pony on X (formerly Twitter). According to the user, if the CPU doesn't support the POPCNT instruction or it's disabled, Windows won't work at all. Multiple system files now require this instruction, starting with the Windows 11 kernel. Long story short -- no POPCNT, no Windows 11 24H2.

Read more