You’ve got an old laptop sitting in a drawer, or maybe you’re building a budget rig and just want something familiar. You’re asking: how much is Windows 10? It’s a simple question with a surprisingly messy answer because, honestly, the year is 2026 and Microsoft really wants you to forget this operating system ever existed.
They’ve moved on. Windows 11 is the shiny new child. But Windows 10 is the stubborn teenager that refuses to leave the house.
If you go to the official Microsoft website right now looking for a "Buy" button for a Windows 10 Home license, you’re going to be disappointed. They stopped selling digital licenses for it way back in January 2023. So, the "official" price is effectively zero because they won’t sell it to you. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get it, and it certainly doesn’t mean it won’t cost you anything to keep it running safely.
The Reality of Windows 10 Pricing Today
Since Microsoft pulled the plug on direct retail sales, you’re essentially looking at the secondary market or "Extended Security Updates" (ESU).
Most people don’t realize that "buying" Windows 10 in 2026 isn't really about the software—it’s about the support. Windows 10 officially hit its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025. If you’re installing it today, you’re installing an OS that, by default, no longer gets security patches. That’s a massive risk.
To stay safe, you have to pay the "Windows 10 Tax."
The Cost of Staying Safe (The ESU Program)
Microsoft introduced a subscription model for people who just can’t quit Windows 10. For individuals, the cost to keep getting security updates through October 2026 is roughly $30.
It’s a one-year extension. That’s it.
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If you’re a business, the math gets ugly. For the first year of extended support (2025-2026), it’s $61 per device. If you want to keep those machines on Windows 10 into 2027, that price doubles to $122. By the third year, you’re looking at $244 per PC. At that point, you might as well just buy a new computer.
Where Can You Still Find a License Key?
Maybe you don't care about the updates and you just need a key to get rid of that "Activate Windows" watermark.
You can still find physical copies or leftover digital keys at third-party retailers. Places like Amazon, Newegg, or Best Buy sometimes have "System Builder" or OEM versions floating around. Historically, these cost:
- Windows 10 Home: Around $119 to $139
- Windows 10 Pro: Around $199
But here is the "pro tip" most experts won't tell you: A Windows 11 key will almost always activate Windows 10. Since Microsoft sells Windows 11 Home for about $139, you can buy that, type it into a Windows 10 installation, and it’s usually smooth sailing.
The $10 Key Temptation
You've seen them. Those "gray market" sites offering Windows 10 Pro for the price of a fancy latte. They’re often labeled as "OEM keys."
Are they legit? Kinda.
They are usually volume licenses sold to big companies that ended up on the resale market. They work, but they are tied to your motherboard. If you swap your hardware, that $10 key is gone. Also, Microsoft has been getting more aggressive in 2026 about deactivating keys that were clearly sold in violation of their terms of service. You get what you pay for.
Is It Even Worth Buying?
Honestly, probably not.
If your hardware is new enough to run Windows 10 well, it can probably run Windows 11. If it can't, it's likely because of the TPM 2.0 requirement. While there are workarounds for that, running an old OS on old hardware while paying for security updates is a bit like putting a brand-new engine in a 1998 Honda Civic. You can do it, but why?
Let’s look at the actual breakdown of what you’re spending:
- $0: If you have an old Windows 7 or 8 key (sometimes these still work to activate 10, though it’s hit or miss these days).
- $30: To get security updates for one year if you already own the OS.
- $139: For a retail Windows 11 key that you use to activate Windows 10.
- $0: If you switch to Linux, which is what many "Windows 10 holdouts" are doing to avoid the ESU fees.
The Surprising Loophole: Microsoft Rewards
There is a weird, somewhat hidden way to get those $30 security updates for free. If you use Bing and participate in the Microsoft Rewards program, you can often redeem points for the ESU subscription.
It takes a lot of searching and clicking on "Daily Polls," but if you're determined to keep Windows 10 without opening your wallet, that’s the path.
The Enterprise Angle
For those in the corporate world, the "how much is Windows 10" question is answered via Volume Licensing. Most companies are already paying for Microsoft 365 subscriptions (E3 or E5), which include Windows licenses. For them, the software is "free," but the ESU (Extended Security Update) fees are a mandatory addition to their annual budget if they haven't migrated their fleet to Windows 11 yet.
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Making the Final Decision
If you’re absolutely dead-set on Windows 10 in 2026, here is the smartest way to do it.
First, check if you already have a digital license linked to your Microsoft account. If you’ve ever owned a Windows 10 PC, that license might follow you. Log in and see.
Second, if you must buy, buy a Windows 11 retail key. It gives you the flexibility to move to 11 later without buying a second license.
Lastly, don’t ignore the security aspect. Running Windows 10 without those $30 updates is basically an open invitation for malware. In 2026, the web is too dangerous to run unpatched software.
Actionable Next Step: Check your PC’s "Activation" settings menu. If it says "Windows is activated with a digital license," you don't need to buy anything. If you are unactivated, look for a reputable retail Windows 11 key rather than hunting for a "pure" Windows 10 key that likely doesn't exist anymore in the official channel.