This Black Friday, enjoy a Microsoft Windows 11 Pro subscription for just $18

Although the Black Friday deals won’t go into full effect until next week, there are already plenty of sales. You can now buy just about anything for less, including Microsoft Windows. Windows is normally a great operating system, but even better if you get the Pro version of it. When it’s not on sale, it costs almost $200, but thanks to a big discount on StackSocial, you can get it for just $18 right now. If you’d rather just get the Windows 11 Home OS, that’s fine too up to $18.

While this is an excellent deal, it’s important to note that not every computer can run Windows 11. So before you buy it, check whether your machine complies with the requirements for the operating system. If you have a PC already running Windows 10 and you are unable to install the free upgrade to Windows 11 via Windows Update, your computer is not compatible with this version.

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After purchasing the license, you will receive an activation key that allows you to install and activate Windows 11 Pro on one computer. You then have 30 days to redeem your download code before it expires.

If you are doing a standard upgrade from an older version of Windows, the download and installation process is quite simple. For advanced users – people building a new computer or wanting to dual-boot an existing computer with a second operating system – some additional steps will be required. In those cases, you may need a second PC to open and download the files. So make sure you can access everything from another computer in your home or have a friend’s machine that you can use temporarily. Also keep in mind that you’ll want to have a USB stick on hand to transfer the file.

Those still considering options for a new computer should check out our roundups of the best laptop deals and desktop deals for some solid options.

If you’re happy that you saved money on a sensible PC upgrade, why not consult our toy gift guide and splurge on something less sensible?

Will Windows 11 Pro go on sale again this year?

StackSocial puts things on sale quite often, but there’s still no way to know when that will happen. While it’s possible this will go on sale again this year, the weeks are almost up, meaning the chances of that happening are getting smaller by the day. If you want to upgrade, it’s better to do it now than wait, if you can afford it.