: If your current PC is running a genuine version of Windows 10 and meets the Minimum Hardware Requirements , the upgrade is free.

: Most new computers sold today come with Windows 11 already included in the purchase price.

Yes, but with two important caveats:

The short answer is However, depending on your current setup, hardware, and preferences, there are scenarios where you may need to pay.

| | Cons (The Cost Side) | | :--- | :--- | | Free for Windows 10 users. No credit card required for the upgrade. | Hardware gatekeeping. You might need to buy new hardware to qualify for the free upgrade. | | Easy download. The ISO files are free to download from Microsoft. | License costs for new PCs. If you don't own Windows 10, you pay ~$139. | | Feature parity. You get the new UI and gaming features for free. | Bypass risks. Trying to force a free install on old hardware risks system instability. |