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Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Which License Should You Buy in 2026?
Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Windows 10 reached the end of its standard support on 14 October 2025. If you’re buying a Windows licence in 2026, that changes the decision. This guide compares both versions, checks whether your PC can actually run Windows 11, and looks at whether a Windows 10 licence still makes sense today.
Why this matters now
Windows 10 apps still open and the PC still works after the support deadline, but Microsoft has stopped shipping free security updates, bug fixes and technical support for it under the standard lifecycle. Every vulnerability discovered after 14 October 2025 stays unpatched unless the device is enrolled in Microsoft’s paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme. Buying a new Windows 10 licence in 2026 means starting from that position on day one.
Windows 11 vs Windows 10: feature and requirement comparison
| Windows 10 | Windows 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard support | Ended 14 October 2025 | Ongoing, with regular feature updates |
| TPM requirement | TPM 1.2 accepted | TPM 2.0 required |
| Minimum processor | 1 GHz, largely unrestricted | Compatible 64-bit CPU from Microsoft’s approved list (broadly 8th-gen Intel / AMD Zen 2 and newer) |
| RAM / storage minimum | 1-2 GB RAM, 16-20 GB storage | 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage |
| Secure Boot | Not required | Required |
| Interface | Classic taskbar and Start menu | Centred taskbar, redesigned Start menu, Snap Layouts |
| Android app support | No | Available on supported regions/devices |
Can your PC actually run Windows 11?
This is the practical bottleneck for a lot of older hardware. Windows 11 requires a TPM 2.0 security chip, Secure Boot support, and a processor from Microsoft’s approved compatibility list. Many PCs built before roughly 2018 either lack TPM 2.0 entirely or have it disabled in BIOS/UEFI by default.
To check your own PC:
- Download and run Microsoft’s PC Health Check app, which gives a direct yes/no answer and explains what’s blocking an upgrade if the answer is no.
- Alternatively, press Windows key + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter to check whether TPM 2.0 is present and enabled.
If your PC fails the check because TPM is present but disabled, enabling it in BIOS/UEFI settings often resolves it without new hardware. If the processor itself isn’t on the approved list, an upgrade isn’t officially supported.
Should you still buy a Windows 10 licence in 2026?
In almost all cases, no. A new Windows 10 licence purchased today starts with zero years of remaining standard security support, on an operating system whose vulnerabilities are actively being found and, in some cases, left unpatched. The only scenarios where it still makes sense:
- Legacy hardware that fails the Windows 11 compatibility check and cannot be replaced, combined with enrolling in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates programme.
- Specific legacy software or hardware drivers that are confirmed incompatible with Windows 11 and have no updated version.
For a typical new PC purchase or licence purchase in 2026, Windows 11 is the only version that gives you an actual runway of ongoing support.
Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11
If your hardware passes the compatibility check, you do not need to buy a separate licence key to move from a genuinely activated Windows 10 to Windows 11 on the same device — Windows Update or the Installation Assistant handles it directly, keeping your files and apps. A new licence key is only needed when you are setting up a new or different PC, or if your current copy of Windows 10 was never properly activated. If you do hit an activation error on the new key during setup, see our guide on common Windows activation errors and fixes — most of the same error codes apply to Windows 11.
Buying a new PC or setting up Windows from scratch instead? Compare Windows 11 Home vs Pro to choose the right edition, and see our guide on OEM vs Retail vs Volume licence keys to understand what type of key you’re buying.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to buy? Browse Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro, or all Windows licences.
Windows 10 reached the end of its standard support on 14 October 2025. It still runs, but no longer receives free security updates, bug fixes or support unless the device is enrolled in Microsoft’s paid Extended Security Updates programme.
In almost all cases, no. A new licence today starts with no remaining standard security support. It can still make sense for legacy hardware that cannot run Windows 11, combined with Microsoft’s paid Extended Security Updates.
Windows 11 requires a TPM 2.0 security chip, Secure Boot support and a processor from Microsoft’s compatibility list. Run Microsoft’s PC Health Check app, or check tpm.msc, to confirm.
No, if your existing Windows 10 licence is genuinely activated and your hardware is compatible, you can upgrade in place using Windows Update or the Installation Assistant without a new key.
Yes, on supported regions and devices, Windows 11 can run some Android apps directly, which Windows 10 does not support.
