When is the best time to buy a Windows license? Prices fluctuate throughout the year, and if you time it right you can save up to 80–95% compared to full price. Here are the periods when Windows licenses are historically at their lowest.
1. Black Friday and Cyber Monday
This is by far the cheapest period of the year. Windows 11 Pro has been sold here with discounts of up to 90–94%, with prices as low as around 10 dollars compared to a regular price of approximately 199 dollars. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- Largest discounts
- Limited number of licenses
- Promotions often only last a few days
2. Back to school (August – September)
Many promotions come before the start of the school year. There are documented offers where Windows 11 Pro has been sold at over 90% off during this period. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
3. Promotions before major Windows milestones
When Microsoft ends support for an older version, demand for upgrades increases. Retailers then run aggressive promotions to get users onto the new version. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
4. Flash sales and bundle promotions
Some of the lowest prices appear as short promotions, often with:
- Windows + Office packages
- Weekend deals
- Limited stock
Such deals can offer extremely low prices, but they rarely last long. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
When is it most expensive?
- Immediately after the launch of a new Windows version
- Regular months without promotions
- Directly from the Microsoft Store
Should you wait for a sale?
If you need the license right away, it is not always worth waiting. Digital licenses are often priced low all year round compared to full price.
Get a low price without waiting for a sale
Conclusion
The cheapest time to buy a Windows license is during Black Friday, back to school, and short flash sales. Prices can drop extremely low then. For the rest of the year, digital licenses are the easiest way to get a low price without waiting.