Microsoft Slaps PC Makers with Higher Windows 11 License Fees
Microsoft has reportedly increased its annual price hike for Windows 11 licenses to PC makers. The Economic Daily News (EDN), a Taiwanese site, claims that the cost of installing Windows 11 on a pre-built desktop or laptop has gone up by 7% to 10%. This significant increase is higher than usual and follows hardware price rises due to component costs.
According to EDN, PC prices are expected to rise by 5% in the third quarter of 2026, mainly for Acer and Asus systems in the Taiwanese market. The annual Windows 11 license price hike has been a standard practice for Microsoft, but this year's increase is more substantial than before.
The cost increases are already priced into hardware on store shelves, with consumers and businesses seemingly unaffected by the relatively small software price hikes compared to the significant hardware-based pricing misery. However, PC makers must pay Microsoft for Windows 11 licenses, which could add to their expenses and ultimately passed on to customers.