How long until retail is out?

DavidPula · Dec 1, 2021

Hey everybody!
How long do we have to wait until retail version is out? I have money saved for a new computer, but I am continuously postponing it because I want to buy a fresh Windows 11 retail licence from Microsoft. I do know I could buy Windows 10 and upgrade it to W11, but that is absolutely out of question. Does anyone have some sort of information?
Thanks! :)

jimbo45 · Dec 1, 2021

"How long is a piece of string" !!!!
If you are getting a new computer it probably will have a version of W11 already or a free update to W11.
Since W10 is "in service" for at least another 4 years there will I'm 100% sure be several iterations of W11 before that's finally rolled out in a proper RTM version.

I can't understand the "Not wanting to upgrade" logic here - as there's nothing to stop anybody buying a full retail version when it does appear - so you can always install that later if you want to -- meanwhile you've got the experience of using W11 before you install the final retail version.

The requirements for W11 are reasonably well known -- even if currently W11 can be installed on all sorts of devices and in ways that W11 "isn't supposed to run on" - so when you get your new computer just check that the hardware requirements for the "Official" W11 are met.

Cheers
jimbo

Bree · Dec 1, 2021

DavidPula said:
I want to buy a fresh Windows 11 retail licence from Microsoft.

Because the licence key is the same for both Windows 10 and Windows 11, Microsoft now describe what they sell on the Store as a licence for 'Windows 10/11'. Basically if you want to buy a retail licence in a box it doesn't matter what is on the usb, the key makes no distinction between 10 or 11 - it's a key for both.

This is what you see now in the Store.

pparks1 · Dec 1, 2021

DavidPula said:
Hey everybody!
How long do we have to wait until retail version is out? I have money saved for a new computer, but I am continuously postponing it because I want to buy a fresh Windows 11 retail licence from Microsoft. I do know I could buy Windows 10 and upgrade it to W11, but that is absolutely out of question. Does anyone have some sort of information?
Thanks! :)

Why is the upgrade out of the question?

You can buy the Windows 10 Home or Pro retail license key and you will get the code from Microsoft.

You can then download the Windows 11 media using the media creation tool.

You can then clean install Windows 11 and when asked for the key, you can provide your Windows 10 Home or Pro key and it will accept it

You never have to install, use or otherwise upgrade Windows 10.

NavyLCDR · Dec 3, 2021

DavidPula said:
Hey everybody!
How long do we have to wait until retail version is out? I have money saved for a new computer, but I am continuously postponing it because I want to buy a fresh Windows 11 retail licence from Microsoft. I do know I could buy Windows 10 and upgrade it to W11, but that is absolutely out of question. Does anyone have some sort of information?
Thanks! :)

To expand on what @Bree said. You buy Windows 10 retail, you get a product key with it. You create the latest version of Windows 11 USB flash drive with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool. You do your clean install of Windows 11 from the USB flash drive and you activate it with the Windows 10 Product Key. Windows 10 and 11 use the exact same product keys and digital licenses. There is no "upgrade" involved that way.

You get the latest version of Windows 11 from Microsoft here:

Download Windows 11

tinmar49 · Dec 3, 2021

I didn't have the money available to buy W11 for the new build, so I got a system builder pack for W10 64 which is OEM, but still a free upgrade to W11, and after installing, I got an ISO direct from Microsoft of W11. It cost £46 for the W10 and you can waste a lot more money than that buying Windows.

Berton · Dec 8, 2021

I've used System Builder versions in the past but as a System Builder I am the support for the OS just like the OEMs. It's in the licensing.

cereberus · Dec 13, 2021

Bree said:
Because the licence key is the same for both Windows 10 and Windows 11, Microsoft now describe what they sell on the Store as a licence for 'Windows 10/11'. Basically if you want to buy a retail licence in a box it doesn't matter what is on the usb, the key makes no distinction between 10 or 11 - it's a key for both.

This is what you see now in the Store.

View attachment 15015

View attachment 15014

Do you actually get a key if you buy from the MS Store, or do you get a digital licence. Obviously a (retail) key makes it easier to transfer licence to a new pc.

I am also guessing if you do an upgrade from Home to Pro you get a digital licence only as you cannot buy W10/W11 upgrade keys like you could with W7.

So guys......?

Winuser · Dec 13, 2021

cereberus said:
Do you actually get a key if you buy from the MS Store, or do you get a digital licence. Obviously a (retail) key makes it easier to transfer licence to a new pc.

I am also guessing if you do an upgrade from Home to Pro you get a digital licence only as you cannot buy W10/W11 upgrade keys like you could with W7.

So guys......?

The two times I upgraded from Home to Pro I got the Generic Pro key. The first time I used the MS Store my computer was upgraded to the Enterprise version. I didn't check so I don't know if it was activated or not. I tried find my upgrade key but I couldn't find it. I called MS and they had me use the generic Pro key to upgrade to Pro. The second time I used the store my computer upgraded straight to the Pro version.

Haydon · Dec 14, 2021

DavidPula said:
Hey everybody!
How long do we have to wait until retail version is out? I have money saved for a new computer, but I am continuously postponing it because I want to buy a fresh Windows 11 retail licence from Microsoft. I do know I could buy Windows 10 and upgrade it to W11, but that is absolutely out of question. Does anyone have some sort of information?
Thanks! :)

It's the holiday season already, and if you buy in 1Q2022, you may get someone else's return. Perhaps wait until 2Q2022 or 3Q2022.

If you wait until 4Q2022, then chances are that after the first major release, most of the early bugs are out :)

JAM83 · Dec 14, 2021

DavidPula said:
Hey everybody!
How long do we have to wait until retail version is out? I have money saved for a new computer, but I am continuously postponing it because I want to buy a fresh Windows 11 retail licence from Microsoft. I do know I could buy Windows 10 and upgrade it to W11, but that is absolutely out of question. Does anyone have some sort of information?
Thanks! :)

Upgrade To Windows 11 From Windows 10 For Free