Microsoft is offering a limited-time sale on Windows 11 Pro, a significant upgrade over previous versions, for just $9.97 through July 1. This marks a rare opportunity for those who have been running Windows 10 without security updates since October to upgrade to a safer and more feature-rich operating system.
Windows 11 Pro brings with it a range of upgrades, including BitLocker encryption, which protects the entire drive in case of theft. This means that no one can access files on the disk, maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information. Additionally, Hyper-V allows for the creation of a second operating system within Windows, enabling users to spin up Linux or another build of Windows without having to dual-boot.
The operating system also features Windows Sandbox, a clean and throwaway copy of Windows that can be used to open sketchy files or test unknown apps without compromising the real install. Furthermore, Azure AD connects the machine to work accounts through Microsoft 365, streamlining access to company resources.
Windows 11 Pro also boasts innovative features such as Snap layouts, which enable users to drag a window to the edge of the screen and drop it into a preset grid alongside other open apps. The operating system also supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, allowing for high-quality gaming with ray tracing and variable rate shading. Additionally, Copilot lives in the taskbar, ready to answer questions, summarize long web pages, or draft content on demand.
Another key feature of Windows 11 Pro is Windows Hello, which signs users in with their face or fingerprint through the TPM 2.0 chip, eliminating the need to type a password every time the lid is opened.
