Microsoft appears to be taking another big step at encouraging PC users to switch to what it has described as its greatest OS ever, Windows 11. According to a message that can be found on Microsoft’s Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro product pages, Microsoft will no longer sell Windows 10 licenses directly to consumers after January 31, 2023. The implication is that Windows users who insist on sticking with Windows 10 will only be able to get a key through third-party retailers, which many presumably do anyway because of perks that include lower prices.
From Microsoft’s Windows 10 Home page:
January 31, 2023, will be the last day this Windows 10 download is offered for sale. Windows 10 will remain supported with security updates that help protect your PC from viruses, spyware, and other malware until October 14, 2025.
With Windows 10 at the heart of your computer you can do it all.
- Built-in security features include antivirus, firewall, and internet protections
- Scan your face or fingerprint with Windows Hello for a fast, secure, and password-free way to unlock your PC.
- Focus assist allows you to block notifications, sounds, and alerts for some distraction-free work time.
- Your timeline provides a quick and easy way to scroll your most recent documents, apps, and websites
- Microsoft Photos is a simple way to organize, search, edit, and share your photos and videos.
- Instantly stream live gameplay, take screen recordings, and control individual audio settings with Game bar
Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro licenses are available until the end of the month for $139 and $199.99, respectively. While Microsoft is all about pushing Windows 11 these days, statistics from Statcounter would suggest that Windows 10 remains as popular as ever, with desktop Windows market share worldwide for December 2022 listed as 67.95%. Windows 11 is listed with 16.97% market share, followed by Windows 7 at 11.2%.