Microsoft is reportedly planning to increase its licensing fees for Windows 11, a move that will primarily affect Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who sell pre-built computer systems. According to a report from Economic Daily News, cited by PCMag, these increases could amount to as much as 10%.
This price adjustment is not directed at individual consumers purchasing a Windows license for their own PC builds. Instead, the fee hike targets OEMs that integrate Windows 11 into the systems they sell. The exact increase will vary, as Microsoft typically bases licensing fees on the processor within the system, meaning higher-end CPUs like Intel's Core i7 will incur a larger fee than lower-end chips such as the Core i3.
While Windows licensing fees typically represent a smaller portion of a complete PC's cost, these increases are expected to contribute to the ongoing trend of rising technology prices. The report suggests that manufacturers like Asus and Acer may pass on some of these costs, potentially increasing their own product prices by approximately 5% later this year.
This development occurs amidst a broader landscape of increasing hardware expenses. The PC market has already been impacted by significant price surges in components like RAM and SSDs. Notably, Microsoft itself has recently increased the prices of its Xbox Series X and Series S consoles to account for more expensive hardware. The current supply chain challenges, with RAM manufacturers reportedly selling through their 2027 manufacturing capacity, indicate that a respite from rising costs may not be imminent. The situation could potentially drive more hardware manufacturers to consider alternatives like Valve's SteamOS.