Microsoft Slaps 10% Price Hike on Windows 11 Licensing Fees

Microsoft is raising its licensing fees for Windows 11 by as much as 10% according to a report from Taiwanese economics outlet Economic Daily News. The increase will affect OEM system builders who sell completed systems, not DIY system builders buying keys for their own PCs.

The license fee hikes won't be uniform, with Microsoft scaling the fees according to processor type. For instance, laptops with Intel Core i7 processors will owe more than those with Core i3 chips.

Asus and Acer are reportedly planning to increase prices by about 5% later this year in response to the higher licensing costs.

This price hike is just one of several factors contributing to rising PC costs, including the ongoing RAM crisis. Microsoft has already raised prices on its Xbox Series X and S consoles due to expensive hardware.