Short answer: No, Microsoft runs Black Friday promotions through the official Microsoft Store, but only on devices (Surface, laptops, Xbox, accessories) and bundles, not on standalone Windows license keys like “Windows 11 Pro key / 80% OFF”.
You might occasionally see small promotions on software, or Windows included in a discounted PC or bundle. However, the eye catching “up to 90% OFF Windows 11 Pro key” Black Friday offers you see online almost always come from third party key sellers, not from Microsoft itself.
Why Microsoft rarely discounts Windows keys heavily on Black Friday
There are several reasons why you don’t see Microsoft slashing the price of Windows licenses like a normal consumer product:
- Windows is a core platform, not a simple promo item
Windows is the foundation of Microsoft’s ecosystem (Office/Microsoft 365, Azure, Xbox services, business tools). Treating the OS like a cheap sale item would devalue the whole platform. - Most Windows revenue comes from PC makers (OEM licenses)
Microsoft earns a large part of its Windows revenue from OEM licenses, the copies of Windows that ship preinstalled on laptops and desktops from brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc. Deep discounts on standalone keys would conflict with those OEM agreements and partner pricing. - They want stable, predictable pricing
If Microsoft sold Windows 11 Pro at / 80% every Black Friday, many people would simply wait for the sale and ignore the regular price. For a core operating system, they prefer price stability over aggressive retail promotions. - Partner, reseller and region conflicts
Microsoft works with global distributors, resellers and volume licensing partners. Huge global Black Friday discounts on microsoft.com could create conflicts with those partners and with regional price structures.
So where do the super cheap Black Friday Windows keys come from?
The big “Windows 11 Pro / 90% OFF” banners you see in Black Friday ads are typically:
- Run by third-party key stores and marketplaces, not by Microsoft
- Based on different license types (OEM, volume, surplus, etc.) with different usage terms than a full retail license
- Presented in bundles like “Windows 11 Pro + Office 2021” at high percentage discounts
That’s why the official Microsoft Store usually keeps Windows around its standard price, while independent websites promote aggressive Black Friday Windows key deals.
Where can I get a good Black Friday deal on a Windows 11 key?
If you want to save money compared to the official Microsoft Store while still activating Windows properly, you can look at trusted online stores that specialise in software keys.
At Sftkey, we focus specifically on affordable Windows and Office licenses, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
Why buy your Black Friday Windows key from Sftkey?
- Specialised in Windows licenses
Sftkey is dedicated to software keys, with a strong focus on Windows 10 and Windows 11 Pro/Home. We don’t just sell random products, we focus on one niche and support it properly. - Competitive Black Friday pricing
Our promotions are designed to be more attractive than Microsoft’s standard pricing, instead of being a short term Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal, it’s offered continuously all year, so you can get a valid Windows key for a fraction of the official store price. - Instant delivery by email
As soon as your order is completed, your product key and activation instructions are sent directly to your inbox. No waiting for physical delivery. - Clear activation instructions
We provide step by step guides for activating Windows 10/11, so even non technical users can complete the process quickly and easily. - After sales support
If you run into any activation issues, our support team can help you troubleshoot common Windows activation errors and get your system activated. - Fair replacement/refund policy
In the rare case where a key cannot be activated despite following our instructions, we offer key replacement or a refund in line with our store policy.
Bottom line: Microsoft usually focuses its Black Friday deals on hardware and bundles, not on cheap standalone Windows keys. If you’re looking for a Black Friday Windows 11 Pro key at a much lower price, a specialised store like Sftkey is often the smarter choice.