(C) BoingBoing This story was originally published by BoingBoing and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Windows 11 Pro costs less than lunch right now at $8 [1] ["Boing Boing'S Shop"] Date: 2026-08-31 Disclosure: Boing Boing earns a commission on purchases made through links in this post. TL;DR: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro adds security, virtualization, and business tools like BitLocker, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox, and a lifetime license for one compatible PC is currently $7.97 (reg. $199). Eight bucks doesn't buy much anymore, but apparently it can buy Windows 11 Pro. Right now, a lifetime license for one compatible PC is just $7.97 (reg. $199), giving you Windows 11 plus Pro extras like BitLocker, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox. Windows 11 Pro adds a handful of genuinely useful tools for people who use their computers for work, development, or anything that deserves a little more protection. It has the familiar interface, multitasking tools, and gaming support of Windows 11 Home, but adds extra security, virtualization, and business features on top. Some are fairly specialized, but others can be useful even if your work computer is simply the laptop sitting on your kitchen table. What you get by going Pro Here are some of the upgrades that earn it the Pro name: BitLocker can encrypt your drive, adding protection for your files if your laptop is lost or stolen. can encrypt your drive, adding protection for your files if your laptop is lost or stolen. Windows Sandbox gives you an isolated environment where you can open unfamiliar software without immediately unleashing it on your main Windows installation. gives you an isolated environment where you can open unfamiliar software without immediately unleashing it on your main Windows installation. Hyper-V lets you create and run virtual machines, particularly useful for developers, IT pros, and OS tinkerers. lets you create and run virtual machines, particularly useful for developers, IT pros, and OS tinkerers. Snap Layouts helps arrange multiple apps on-screen when your definition of multitasking has gotten out of hand. You also get DirectX 12 Ultimate support for compatible gaming hardware and access to Windows' current Copilot features. Before anything else, though, check your hardware. Windows 11 requires a compatible 64-bit processor, TPM 2.0, UEFI Secure Boot capability, at least 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage, among other requirements. Microsoft provides its PC Health Check app for checking compatibility. This license does not provide a workaround for a PC that doesn't qualify for Windows 11. Normally retailing for $199, you can grab Microsoft Windows 11 Pro for just $7.97. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. See other items in the shop. [END] --- [1] Url: https://boingboing.net/2026/08/31/windows-11-pro-costs-less-than-lunch-right-now-at-8.html Published and (C) by BoingBoing Content appears here under this condition or license: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/boingboing/