Beginning in July 2026, Microsoft is set to substantially raise the licensing fees it charges PC OEM manufacturers for Windows 11, with an average hike ranging from 7% to 10%. This increase is notably higher than the single-digit percentage rises seen in previous years. The exact amount of the fee hike will vary based on the specifications of the PC processors, with premium CPUs incurring higher licensing costs. This decision will place additional cost burdens on the PC market, which is already grappling with escalating memory and storage prices. Consequently, it is anticipated that PC prices will experience a further increase of around 5% in the third quarter.