Windows 11 Pro and Office for Mac Drop to $9.97

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro licenses are currently available for $9.97, a significant reduction from its typical $199 retail price, through a limited-time promotion [1, 4]. This discount allows users to upgrade older PCs or run Windows-only applications on Macs, potentially extending the life of existing hardware [1].

Windows 11 Pro Features and Compatibility

The $9.97 offer for Windows 11 Pro provides a lifetime license for a single device, including updates [4]. This version adds security features like biometric login and Smart App Control, performance improvements, and tools such as BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, and Windows Sandbox [1, 5]. It also supports higher hardware limits, including up to 2 TB of RAM and 128 CPU cores, compared to Windows 11 Home [4]. For Mac users, Windows 11 Pro enables running Windows-specific programs, business software, or PC games via virtualization tools like Boot Camp or Parallels [1].

The promotion also includes Windows 11 Home for $9.97, typically priced at $139 [4]. While Windows 11 Home offers the modern interface, Snap Layouts, and DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming, the Pro version includes additional features aimed at professional and business environments, such as Group Policy management and Remote Desktop hosting [4].

Microsoft Office Deals and Bundles

Alongside Windows 11, Microsoft Office licenses are also discounted. Office Home 2024 for Mac is available for $112.97, reduced from $179 [2]. This is a standalone license, not a Microsoft 365 subscription, and is designed for non-commercial use on one supported Mac or PC [2]. Office 2024 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, with features like AI integrations such as Smart Compose for Word and Dynamic Arrays for Excel [3]. Microsoft states Office 2024 will be retired on October 10, 2029 [2].

A bundle combining Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business with Windows 11 Pro is offered at $104.99, a 76% saving off the combined regular price of $448.99 [6]. Another bundle is listed at $164.97, down from $448.99 [3]. These bundles aim to replace Microsoft 365 subscriptions and upgrade operating systems simultaneously [3].

What to watch

• Promotion End Dates: The Windows 11 Pro deal is set to end on September 27 [1]. Other promotions may have different end dates or change prices [4].
• License Redemption: Buyers must redeem Windows 11 Pro activation codes within 30 days of purchase [4]. Office Home 2024 for Mac codes must be redeemed within 7 days [2].
• Compatibility: Users should verify PC compatibility for Windows 11, as some Windows 10 PCs unable to update through Windows Update may not be able to install this version [2].

These promotions offer a way for users to access current Microsoft software at a fraction of the typical cost, potentially impacting upgrade cycles for both Windows and Mac users considering new software or hardware.