If you want to upgrade to Windows 11, one simple option is to buy Windows 10 and stay up and running at a fraction of the MSRP. It really is that easy, and here's what you need to do.

Buy Windows 10 and Get a Free Windows 11 Upgrade

windows 10 and windows 11 on PC monitors

If you’re wondering why you should buy Windows 10 in 2022 after you read this headline, we can answer that question for you. Yes, Windows 11 is already here, but if you want to update to the latest OS, you can save some bucks. Keep on reading to see why. You can also read our guide about the best Windows 10 deals you can find over the market.

Microsoft introduced Windows 11 in June 2021, promising a faster and safer operating system to all the Windows 10 aficionados. After a slow start—characterized by a certain number of bugs affecting both the UI and performance—Windows 11 is apparently gaining some ground, as the 21H1 update, aka Sun Valley 1, rolled out, fixing some inconveniences and ironing out some wrinkles here and there.

Better security, Android app compatibility, and some major redesign choices under the Fluent Design are making Windows 11 more and more interesting to the user base. However, Windows 11 price can be daunting, especially if you’re building a new machine from scratch and want to purchase a new Operating System for it.

Fortunately, Microsoft is allowing its Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 for free. We've already seen this happen back in the day, when Redmond’s tech giant encouraged its user base to move from Windows 7 first, and Windows 8.1, then to Windows 10.

laptop-displaying-windows-11

If you’re resolutely sticking to your Windows 10 install, then you’ll be able to upgrade to Windows 11 at no extra cost, as long as you meet the official system requirements.

However, in case you need to purchase Windows 11, keep on reading to see where to buy Windows 10 legally and for a fraction of the cost, and upgrade to Windows 11 with no further hassle. Mr Key Shop is your best option for purchasing a new digital license, either if you need Windows or you want to buy the latest Office suites like Office 2021 or Office for Mac, as well as the best Antivirus Brands or the top-notch Microsoft Server products. More on that later.

Before We Start—Check Your Specs

Windows 11 is quite demanding with system specs. It won’t run at all without a TPM module, at least not officially, and has some strict requirements you must meet to install it or upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10.

To verify if your PC meets the minimum requirements that Microsoft set forth, to set up or upgrade to Windows 11, you can either type Windows Update on the Windows 10 search bar and click Check for Updates.

In the top right corner, you’ll see a green mark or a red X, showing that you meet the requirements or not. The other option, instead, is to visit Microsoft's official Windows 11 page and download the PC Health Check app. Run the application and follow the prompts to see whether or not you can upgrade to Windows 11.

windows pc health at a glance screen

Please note, this is only possible from a licensed Windows 10 machine. If you run Windows 8.1 or lower, please keep on reading or check our guide on how to download windows 10 for free.

We also have some useful guides about Office: see how you can buy Microsoft Office for PC at a discounted price, how to download Microsoft Office for free, and if you’re a Mac user, how to buy Office for Mac at the best price.

How to Buy Windows 10 at the Best Price

If you checked the Microsoft Store you may have noticed the price tags for the different Windows versions available there. And maybe you ran a quick search on the web for a third-party vendor. However, be careful when buying a digital license online. A lot of stores and merchants over the web may sell their dirt-cheap Windows 10 licenses, but you need to be aware of the gray market, that despicable area where people may trade stolen/cloned/forged product keys, or legit licenses that have been acquired with stolen or forged credit cards. You may risk losing both your money and your license.

The best option out there is a 100% legit and professional store named Mr Key Shop. They’ve been in business for over 18 years, with an average score of Excellent on TrustPilot. From their catalog you can save up to 70% on your next purchase, Windows 10 included.

mr key shop on laptop screen

Among the many vendors we tried, Mr Key Shop impressed us with their professional approach: after a simple yet 100% secure checkout via PayPal, we received our order within a few seconds, with everything we needed to proceed, i.e. a 100% genuine license, a secure download link for the Windows 10 ISO file, and clear, encompassing instructions. Go check Mr Key Shop, one of our favorite digital stores out there!

How to Upgrade to Windows 11 for Free

Now you know it is possible to upgrade to Windows 11 for free, just by buying Windows 10. Here are the steps you need to follow to upgrade your operating system.

1. Get Licensed

If you’re running a genuine copy of Windows 10, you’ll only need to upgrade your system via the Check for Updates option on the Win10 search bar. Alternatively, you can go to Microsoft’s Windows 11 official page and follow the procedures outlined there.

If you’re building a new machine, or you aren’t eligible for the free Windows 11 upgrade, you can save some money if you purchase Windows 10 first, install it and then upgrade to Windows 11 free of charge. To upgrade to the latest Windows OS, you’ll need a genuine Windows 10 license, but you don’t need to shell out hundreds of bucks for it!

2. Backup Like There’s No Tomorrow

If you’re upgrading from an existing Windows 10 environment, consider a full backup job before you go.

Windows 11 has reached a certain grade of stability. However, why risk your precious data and files? Before you even start the upgrade process, you should run a backup of your drives. Just stick to your favorite backup tool and make sure you won’t lose any essential work.

If you need to pick a backup program, go check some of the best security suites from Mr Key Shop’s catalog. For example, Norton 360 Deluxe (in the Antivirus section of the store) includes 25 GB of free cloud backup space, and you’ll also get one of the best security suites for a fraction of the suggested price.

3. Install Windows 10 and Activate Your License

We told you earlier how to buy Windows 10 at a crazy price, so go get your genuine license!

Once you’ve done it, just install your Windows 10 OS following your preferred method. Go check Windows 10 official page from Microsoft web resources, and follow the procedures.

In a couple of minutes, you’ll be up and running: input your product key as shown in your recap email from Mr Key Shop and your OS will be fully licensed.

4. Upgrade to Windows 11 Free of Charge

Once you checked your requirements, performed a full backup, and learned where to buy Windows 10 and save money, it’s finally time to get your OS upgraded to the latest version of Windows 11.

Ensure you have a Microsoft account available, and an active Internet connection, then proceed with the upgrade.

windows upgrade screen

Go to the Check for Updates window and follow the prompts, or go to Windows 11 official page and choose your option. You can either:

  • Use the PC Health Check app to verify your requirements and proceed with the download and upgrade to Windows 11
  • Download and install from Microsoft's official ISO file
  • Download and use the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool

The instructions provided in the official Windows 11 are straightforward, and the wizard will guide you throughout the full process. You only need to remember your Microsoft account credentials and ensure your Windows 10 version is correctly licensed (see the above steps).

You Just Upgraded to Windows 11, Free!

If you followed this guidance, now you should be in front of your brand new Windows 11 welcome screen. Enjoy your new OS! And consider investing that extra cash you saved for a good protection program like Kaspersky Antivirus from Mr Key Shop at a very cheap price!