{"id":4769,"date":"2025-04-15T08:05:12","date_gmt":"2025-04-15T08:05:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/operacinesistema.lt\/?p=4769"},"modified":"2025-04-15T08:11:16","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T08:11:16","slug":"windows-11-operating-system-price-where-to-buy-the-original-os-cheapest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/operacinesistema.lt\/en\/windows-11-operating-system-price-where-to-buy-the-original-os-cheapest\/","title":{"rendered":"Windows 11 operating system price - where is the cheapest place to buy the original OS?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why choose the original Windows 11?<\/h2>\n

An operating system (OS) is the software that allows us to use a computer to control equipment, programs and data <\/span>en.wikipedia.org<\/span><\/a>. Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft's popular operating system, with a modern design, better security and new features. But to get the most out of it, it's important to have <\/span>original (licensed)<\/span><\/b> OS version. Why?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Security and stability:<\/span><\/b> The original Windows 11 receives regular security updates from Microsoft to help protect your system from viruses and malware (<\/span>irentmo.com)<\/span><\/a>. In addition, updates and fixes ensure system stability - compatibility with the latest devices and applications ( <\/span>irentmo.com)<\/span><\/a>. Using a \u201ehacked\u201c or illegal copy can result in the loss of these vital updates, increasing the risk of system crashes or data leaks. This is especially important for small businesses - no one wants their work computers to \u201ecrash\u201c at the most inopportune time or be the target of a cyber-attack.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Functionality and support:<\/span><\/b> The licensed version of Windows provides full functionality: all features are working, no annoying activation warnings in the corner of the screen. You also have the right to customer support - in case of trouble, you can contact Microsoft or authorised partners. If you are using illegal copies, you should not expect such support. In addition, the original OS <\/span>can be transferred<\/span><\/b> (if it's a Retail licence) to another computer by upgrading the hardware, which may not be possible with an illegal or OEM version.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Legal aspects:<\/span><\/b> Compliance with licensing rules is essential in the business environment. Using illegal software puts a company at risk of being fined heavily during inspections. Even for a home user, an illegal OS can cause problems ranging from moral issues to unexpected licence deactivation. It's better to sleep well - <\/span>\u201ea calm head is worth every extra euro\u201c<\/span><\/i>, as an IT professional would say with a smile.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Free update:<\/span><\/b> It is worth noting that <\/span>with a valid Windows 10 licence<\/span><\/i> many computers offer <\/span>free updates<\/span><\/b> OS to Windows 11 <\/span>irentmo.com<\/span><\/a>. Microsoft does not give a specific end date for this free option, which applies indefinitely to eligible devices (<\/span>answers.microsoft.com)<\/span><\/a>. So if you already have legal Windows 10, check your PC's <\/span>Windows Update<\/span><\/b> - maybe Windows 11 won't cost you anything. However, if your computer doesn't meet the technical requirements for Windows 11, or if you're running a very old version of the OS, you'll need to buy a new licence.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In short, the original Windows 11 is an investment in security, stability and peace of mind. <\/span>To buy or not to buy?<\/span><\/b> The answer should be clear: buy, but of course at the best possible price. And that brings us to the interesting part - what are the prices in different countries, and <\/span>how much money the Lithuanian consumer will have to pay<\/span><\/b>?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Windows 11 prices in different countries<\/h2>\n

Before looking for the best price, it's a good idea to know what the <\/span><\/span>Official Windows 11 price<\/span><\/span>. Microsoft sets recommended retail prices for its products, but these may vary slightly by region. Below is a comparison of how much Windows 11 (the two main versions - Home and Pro) costs in different countries when purchased from official sources (Microsoft Store or authorised resellers). <\/span><\/span>All prices are for a full licence (not an upgrade)<\/span><\/span>:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Country<\/th>\nWindows 11 Home<\/strong><\/th>\nWindows 11 Pro<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Lithuania<\/strong> (EUR)<\/td>\n~145,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n~259,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
USA<\/strong> (USD)<\/td>\n~$139.99<\/td>\n~$199.99<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Germany<\/strong> (EUR)<\/td>\n~145,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n~259,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
France<\/strong> (EUR)<\/td>\n~145,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n~259,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Italy<\/strong> (EUR)<\/td>\n~145,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n~259,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Spain<\/strong> (EUR)<\/td>\n~145,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n~259,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Poland<\/strong> (PLN)<\/td>\n~629,99 z\u0142<\/td>\n~1 099,00 z\u0142<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sweden<\/strong> (SEK)<\/td>\n~1 399,00 kr<\/td>\n~2 399,00 kr<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Finland<\/strong> (EUR)<\/td>\n~145,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n~259,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Estonia<\/strong> (EUR)<\/td>\n~145,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n~259,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Latvia<\/strong> (EUR)<\/td>\n~145,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n~259,00 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
United Kingdom<\/strong> (GBP)<\/td>\n~\u00a3119.99<\/td>\n~\u00a3219.99<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

(Note: US prices are exclusive of sales taxes, while prices in EU countries include VAT, so direct exchange rate comparisons may differ due to taxes.)<\/em><\/p>\n

What can we see from the table?<\/span><\/b> First of all, <\/span>Windows 11 Home<\/span><\/b> The Home version is cheaper than the Pro version everywhere - this is natural because Home is for home users with basic features, while the Pro version is aimed at business and advanced users with additional needs (e.g. domain login, BitLocker encryption, remote desktop server, etc). In most European countries, including Lithuania, Germany, France, etc., <\/span>The official price is ~145 \u20ac for Windows 11 Home and ~259 \u20ac for Windows 11 Pro<\/span><\/b>. This can be seen as a kind of \u201eEuropean standard\u201c (<\/span>microsoft.com)<\/span><\/a> - Microsoft applies similar pricing across the euro area.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How much does it stand out <\/span>Poland<\/span><\/b> and <\/span>Sweden<\/span><\/b>, which have their own currencies. In Poland, for example, PLN 1099 for the Pro version is equivalent to around \u20ac230+ at the current exchange rate - slightly cheaper than \u20ac259 in the Eurozone. In Sweden, 2399 kroner converts to ~\u20ac218 - again slightly less. This suggests that Microsoft <\/span>adapts prices to the local market<\/span><\/b> (presumably taking into account purchasing power, competition and taxes). Meanwhile <\/span>USA<\/span><\/b> The official price is $199.99 for the Pro - directly translated into euros it would be around \u20ac180+, but you would have to add US local taxes. Finally, <\/span>JK<\/span><\/b> The price of \u00a3219.99 corresponds to ~\u20ac252, very close to the European price (even though the UK is no longer in the EU, the price there remains similar, but adjusted for the pound).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Conclusion?<\/span><\/b> Although the official prices for Windows 11 vary nominally from country to country, <\/span>there are no significant price \u201eimbalances\u201c<\/span><\/b>. It's not that a licence costs twice as much in one place as in another - Microsoft maintains a similar level. So Lithuanians shouldn't plan a trip abroad just to buy Windows 11 cheaper (unfortunately, the plane ticket will cost more than you'll save!). However, it is <\/span>doesn't mean that savings can't be made<\/span><\/b> - there is competition between sellers, promotions and various special offers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prices in Lithuania: official and \u201estreet\u201c prices<\/h2>\n

Since we live in Lithuania, it is natural that the most important question is how much Windows 11 costs here, locally. As we have seen, <\/span>Official Microsoft Store price in Lithuania<\/span><\/b> is about <\/span>145 \u20ac for Windows 11 Home<\/span><\/b> and <\/span>\u20ac259 for Windows 11 Pro (<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>microsoft.com<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>microsoft.com<\/span><\/a>). You will find these prices if you buy directly from Microsoft's website, or perhaps from a major retailer that follows the recommended prices.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there is also more than one <\/span>authorised dealer<\/span><\/b>. The prices they offer may be lower than those set by Microsoft. For example, an online shop <\/span>Operacinesistema.lt<\/span><\/b> offers <\/span>Windows 11 Pro (on USB stick) for just \u20ac59.99<\/span><\/b> - this <\/span>one of the lowest prices on the market<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>cena24.lt<\/span><\/a>. (Yes, your eyes don't lie - ~\u20ac60 for the same Windows 11 Pro that officially costs \u20ac259!). Why such a difference? This shop is probably selling <\/span>OEM or System Builder licences<\/span><\/b> with USB installation media. These are legal licences, they are just intended to be sold with or without the box (e.g. <\/span>OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer<\/span><\/i> option). Such licences are generally cheaper, but may have a restriction that they will <\/span>linked to a single device<\/span><\/b> (i.e. you can't transfer it to another PC after installation). However, for the average consumer or small business, this is often not a problem, given the price difference. Most importantly, the vendor is trustworthy, invoiced, so the licence <\/span>legal<\/span><\/b>, and the buyer receives all the necessary documents.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to operacinesistema.lt, various versions of Windows 11 are also available in other Lithuanian e-shops, such as Pigu.lt, Varle.lt, Skytech.lt, and on the pages of the old computer hardware stores. Their prices vary. For example, the price comparison portal mentioned above shows that <\/span>Windows 11 Pro<\/span><\/b> elsewhere in Lithuania costs from ~160 \u20ac to ~230 \u20ac <\/span>cena24.lt<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>cena24.lt<\/span><\/a>. So that \u20ac59.99 offer is truly exceptional - you could joke that <\/span>\u201eWindows 11 cheaper than a good wireless mouse\u201c<\/span><\/i>. \ud83d\ude04 <\/span>Windows 11 Home<\/span><\/b> versions are sold less frequently in Lithuania (users often buy Pro, even if they don't need all the features of Pro today - for the future), but Home licences are also available in similar stores. Their price is usually slightly lower than Pro. For example, if Pro OEM is ~160 \u20ac in other sales, Home OEM is perhaps in the range of ~130-140 \u20ac (again, well over 60 \u20ac but cheaper than the official 145 \u20ac).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For small businesses<\/span><\/b> An attractive price is even more important, as you often have to buy not just one licence, but several or more. That's where vendors like operacinesistema.lt can shine - for ~\u20ac60 to buy Windows 11 Pro for each new work computer sounds like a very good deal, compared to the ~\u20ac250 cost of buying it directly from Microsoft. The important thing is to make sure you get an official invoice and a licence key for each computer. Experienced IT administrators know: <\/span>It is better to pay a little more to a trusted supplier than to risk buying a \u201egrey\u201c key from an obscure third-world site<\/span><\/b>. In the latter case, while the price may be ridiculously low (there are offers on the internet to get Windows 10\/11 Pro for ~10-15 $), such \u201edeals\u201c often involve stolen or illegally obtained licences that can stop working at any time, and also carry legal risks for legal entities.<\/span><\/p>\n

How can I save money by buying Windows 11 legally?<\/h2>\n

Let's summarise some <\/span>practical advice<\/span><\/b> Lithuanian consumers (both home and small business) looking for the original Windows 11 at an affordable price:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n