Top 10 Operating System Licenses at a Reduced Price

Need an operating system for your PC but the official license price is out of your budget? You're not alone. Many people, from students to small businesses, face the high cost of software like Windows when trying to equip their devices legally. The good news is that you don’t have to resort to piracy or spend a fortune: nowadays, it’s possible to get genuine licenses for popular operating systems at a fraction of the original price—completely legally.

In this article, we’ll go over the 10 most popular operating system licenses you can get at a lower price. We’ll briefly explain each system (from Windows 11 to Windows Server editions), why these licenses can be found cheaper than in the official store, and where to buy them safely. Get ready to save on your next software license without giving up legality or support!

Why Are These Licenses Available at Lower Prices?

• Affordable OEM licenses: OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) licenses come pre-installed on new devices. They don’t include a physical case or direct post-sale support from Microsoft, which makes them more affordable. Many of these OEM keys can be found individually online, sometimes for as little as €10 to €15 — about a tenth of the official price — and they’re still official and legitimate licenses. However, they are usually valid for only one PC (linked to the original motherboard) and cannot be transferred to another device later on.
• Volume or second-hand licenses: Large companies purchase software in bulk (volume licenses), and when they renew their equipment or don’t use all of them, they can resell the leftover keys. Individual users can also sell unused licenses. In the European Union, the resale of used software is legal as long as certain conditions are met (e.g., the license is perpetual and was originally acquired legally). This means you can purchase a second-hand Windows or Windows Server license that is fully valid, at a much lower cost, by taking advantage of the second-hand software market.
• Authorized resellers and special offers: There are specialized stores that legitimately source these affordable licenses and offer them to the public. By purchasing from authorized resellers, you ensure the key you receive is genuine and comes with guarantees. For example, Licendi is a European store that offers 100% legal licenses, with activation guarantees and local customer support. These companies verify the origin of each license (often with Microsoft certification) and can offer significant discounts thanks to business agreements and economies of scale. In short, you get the same original Windows but at a lower price, through a trusted source.

1. Windows 11 Pro

Windows 11 Pro is Microsoft’s latest professional edition of its operating system, released in 2021. It includes all the features of Windows 11 Home plus advanced tools for businesses and power users, such as BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, domain access, and remote desktop. It’s ideal for professionals, advanced users, or small businesses that need extra security and control.

The only downside might be its official price: Windows Pro licenses often cost several hundred euros when purchased directly from Microsoft. Fortunately, thanks to the options mentioned above (OEM keys, volume licenses, etc.), it’s possible to get Windows 11 Pro at a much lower cost. Today, a genuine digital license for Windows 11 Pro can be found for a fraction of the original price (in many cases under €50 from authorized sellers), making it easy to enjoy this powerful OS without breaking your budget.

2. Windows 11 Home

If you have a modern home PC, Windows 11 Home is probably all you need. This edition, designed for personal users, includes the new Windows 11 interface and all the essential features for daily use: from built-in productivity apps to this generation's performance and security improvements. Windows 11 Home officially sells for around €145 on the Microsoft store, but you can save a significant amount by choosing a reduced-price license.

Since Windows 11 Home comes pre-installed on many new computers, OEM keys for this system are abundant on the secondary market. Getting a 100% original Home license at a reduced price (typically around €40) is very feasible. So, if you've built a PC yourself or need to upgrade an older machine to Windows 11, you won't have to pay the full price to enjoy the latest Windows version legally.

3. Windows 10 Pro

Despite the arrival of Windows 11, Windows 10 Pro remains one of the most popular operating systems in 2025. Many businesses and individual users trust Windows 10 for its proven stability and broad compatibility with applications. The Pro edition of Windows 10 offers professional features (such as domain joining, remote desktop, Update for Business, etc.) that make it suitable for both workplace environments and enthusiasts. Microsoft plans to provide security update support for Windows 10 until October 2025, so it still has some life left.

Buying Windows 10 Pro directly can cost around €259 according to the official price list, but fortunately you don’t have to pay that much. Thanks to budget-friendly licenses, you can get Windows 10 Pro for a fraction of that price (sometimes for €40 or less).

4. Windows 10 Home

Windows 10 Home was the standard edition for most home users for many years. It offers all the basic Windows 10 features – from the classic Start menu to Cortana, Microsoft Edge, and regular updates – without some of the advanced tools found in the Pro version. It’s ideal for personal PCs, student laptops, and in general for those who don’t need business-level features.

The official price of Windows 10 Home is around €145 per license, but nowadays it's easy to find legitimate keys at a much lower cost. Trusted websites offer digital Windows 10 Home licenses at bargain prices (often between €20 and €40). Once activated, you’ll get a genuine Windows 10 with all updates. And just like with the Pro version, this license would allow you to upgrade to Windows 11 for free later on, as Microsoft has facilitated the upgrade for Windows 10 users with valid licenses.

5. Windows 7 Professional

Windows 7 was the king of desktop operating systems for a long time, loved by millions of users for its performance and simplicity. The Windows 7 Professional edition offered advanced features such as XP Mode, greater memory support, and domain capabilities, making it the choice for many businesses and enthusiasts. Although Windows 7 officially reached the end of support in 2020, it is still used in specific environments or on older PCs due to software compatibility requirements.

Getting an original Windows 7 license today is possible and, due to its age, very inexpensive. Back in the day, a Pro license could easily cost over €100, but now you can find legal keys for just a few euros on the second-hand market. This can be useful if you need to revive an old computer that still requires Windows 7 or run legacy applications that don’t work on newer versions. That said, since it no longer receives security updates, it's recommended to use Windows 7 offline or plan to upgrade to a supported version as soon as possible.

6. Windows 8.1 Pro

Windows 8.1 Pro is the professional edition of the generation that followed Windows 7. Initially released as Windows 8 and later improved to version 8.1, this system introduced the Modern UI interface and faster boot and overall performance. The Pro edition included features such as drive encryption, Hyper-V, and the ability to join domains, similar to Windows 7 Pro, but adapted to the new interface. Despite its improvements, Windows 8.1 never reached the popularity of its predecessor due to interface changes, and many users moved directly to Windows 10.

Just like Windows 7, this operating system is no longer supported (support ended in January 2023). However, if for any reason you need a Windows 8.1 Pro license (e.g., for an older device or software testing), you can get it at a symbolic price. These licenses are sold very cheaply in specialized stores, since most people have already migrated to Windows 10 or 11. With just a few euros you can get an original Windows 8.1 Pro key, activate it, and legally use the system for as long as needed (though it’s always advisable to plan a migration to a supported version).

7. Windows Server 2022

Moving into the server environment, Windows Server 2022 is Microsoft’s latest version (prior to Server 2025) for business servers. Based on the robustness of Windows 10/11, this server operating system offers security improvements (such as the secured-core server concept), greater cloud integration (Azure Arc, hybrid services), and support for the latest virtualization and container technologies. Windows Server 2022 is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses that need a file server, web server, domain controller, or other infrastructure services with maximum stability and long-term support.

Windows Server licenses are usually expensive – the 2022 Standard edition can cost several hundred euros officially, and the Datacenter edition even more. However, thanks to alternative channels, it is possible to get Windows Server 2022 at a reduced price. For example, many companies update their licenses and resell the previous ones; by taking advantage of this, you can acquire a genuine Windows Server 2022 license for much less than the official list price. This makes setting up a legal Windows server in your business much more accessible, allowing you to enjoy all its benefits (updates, support, full functionality) without making a disproportionate investment.

8. Windows Server 2019

Windows Server 2019 is the previous server edition (released in 2018) and continues to be widely used. It is built on the foundation of Windows 10, offering key features such as the Windows Admin Center, improvements in virtualization with Hyper-V, container support, and close integration with Azure services. For many companies, Windows Server 2019 provides the perfect balance between modern functionality and proven stability.

One advantage of choosing Windows Server 2019 in 2025 is that its license cost may be lower compared to the 2022 version, thanks to the availability of second-hand licenses. Microsoft initially set a high price for this software, but today it is possible to find original Windows Server 2019 licenses at discounted prices through reliable resellers. Additionally, Windows Server 2019 has extended support until at least 2029, meaning you will continue to receive security patches for years. If your organization doesn’t need the latest features of 2022, acquiring a 2019 license can be a smart option to save money without sacrificing official support or legality.

9. Windows Server 2016

Continuing with previous versions, Windows Server 2016 was a significant release (introduced in 2016) that brought innovations such as Windows containers, Nano Server, and security improvements compared to Server 2012. It is based on Windows 10 in terms of kernel and core capabilities. Today, many companies still run servers on 2016, as it offers reliable performance and compatibility with applications from that time.

Since newer versions have been released, Windows Server 2016 licenses have become very affordable on the secondary market. If you need to deploy a server on a limited budget, a genuine and low-cost Windows Server 2016 license may be the solution. You’ll get a fully functional and legal server operating system, with the reassurance that Microsoft provides extended support until 2027 (though without the latest features of 2019/2022). This can be a good choice for labs, testing environments, or small businesses just starting out and looking to minimize initial costs.

10. Windows Server 2012 R2

We close the list with Windows Server 2012 R2, a server operating system that marked a milestone in the early 2010s. Based on the Windows 8 generation, this server introduced significant improvements in virtualization with Hyper-V, storage (Storage Spaces), and early hybrid cloud management. Many organizations adopted Server 2012 R2 for its robustness and performance at the time.

Today, Windows Server 2012 R2 has reached its official end of support (in October 2023), meaning it no longer receives security updates from Microsoft. Therefore, it is not recommended for new long-term production deployments. However, it can still be useful in certain legacy scenarios or to keep some older applications running. The good news is that its license is extremely inexpensive to obtain. If for any reason you need a legal Windows Server 2012 R2 key – for example, to temporarily run an old server – you can get it for just a few euros through license resellers. Having that original license allows you to meet legal or audit requirements at virtually no cost, although it would be wise to plan a migration to a more modern version when feasible.

Conclusion: Save with Legal and Affordable Licenses

In summary, it’s now entirely possible to have a modern operating system without going over budget. We’ve seen how Windows licenses (from the latest versions like Windows 11 to earlier editions and server versions) can be obtained at reduced prices thanks to legitimate alternatives. There’s no longer a need to resort to pirated copies or miss out on updates due to an inactive Windows. With a small investment, you can have an operating system that is original, secure, and up to date, enjoying all its features and the peace of mind that comes with legality.

If you’re considering getting any of the licenses mentioned, remember how important it is to buy from trusted sources. Taking advantage of discounts doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or authenticity: specialized stores like Licendi allow you to get the same official Microsoft licenses with significant savings. In addition to the price, you’ll have the backing of a European company with local support, ensuring your key works and helping you with any questions.

Ultimately, getting genuine Windows has never been more accessible. Upgrade your PC, study device, or business computers with the legal licenses you need, and enjoy all the benefits of original software. Don’t wait any longer to equip yourself smartly and affordably with your favorite operating system—and step into a worry-free digital future with Licendi!