Windows 11 drops to $10 as Microsoft slashes prices 94%

Windows 11 licenses have dropped to $9.97 (roughly ¥70) on shopsmartdeals—a 94% cut from the $199.99 list price. Both Home and Pro editions are priced identically, with the deal running through May 3rd.

The pricing is absurd. Pro used to cost several hundred dollars more than Home, and now they're the same single-digit figure. My roommate joked that Microsoft's account must've been hacked.

Windows 10 support ended over six months ago. Plenty of machines are still running it without security patches, which creates real risk. At this price point, the upgrade cost is effectively zero—no reason to delay.

Microsoft CEO Nadella told investors the company wants to "win back consumers" by refocusing on core experience. The Windows K2 initiative targets three areas: performance optimization for low-spec devices, streamlined update processes, and renewed focus on essential features instead of bloat. It's an admission that previous priorities missed the mark.

For students, this is a no-brainer. Several dorm PCs here run pirated Win10. At ¥70, legitimate licensing becomes affordable, with ongoing updates and support included. Gaming stability improves too—no compatibility headaches during multiplayer sessions.

Grab it before May 3rd. Legitimate copies eliminate activation nags that can interrupt gameplay, and the peace of mind is worth more than the asking price.