Software buying guide – Windows, Office, antivirus & licences
Updated: · Techbox, Thessaloniki
What to check before buying software: which Windows edition you need, Office as a one-off purchase or a subscription, how many devices an antivirus covers, and what an electronic licence means.
Windows: Home or Pro?
For home use, Windows 11 Home is enough. Pro is needed when the PC joins a company network, when you want BitLocker encryption or remote access. Every edition is under Windows operating systems.
Before buying, check that the PC meets the Windows 11 requirements, above all TPM 2.0. For servers and businesses there are separate licences under Windows Server, where alongside the server you also need client access licences (CALs).
Office: one-off or subscription?
Office 2024 is bought once and works on one computer for good, with no new major upgrades. Microsoft 365 is a subscription: you always get the latest version, cloud storage and installation on more devices.
For someone writing documents and spreadsheets on one PC, the one-off licence works out cheaper over time. For a family, or for use on phone and tablet, the subscription is more practical. See the {L("software/office/","Office applications",l,ac)}.
Antivirus: devices and duration
Every antivirus licence states two numbers: how many devices it covers and for how long (usually 1 or 2 years). Count your devices first: computers, phones, tablets. Most packages cover Windows, Mac, Android and iOS under the same licence.
Higher editions add a VPN, a password manager, parental controls or cloud backup. Not everyone needs them, so choose by what you will actually use. Everything is under {L("software/antivirus/","antivirus programs",l,ac)}.
What an electronic licence (ESD) means
Most licences are electronic: you receive an activation key and download instructions by email, minutes after payment, with nothing shipped. The key is activated on the manufacturer’s account.
For more specialised programs, such as image editing, PDF or VPN, see the specialised software. Always check which languages each program supports: not all of them include Greek.
