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April 15, 2026

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Microsoft College Offer: Buy an eligible PC and get $500+ in added value with the ultimate college bundle

Choosing a laptop for college is a decision that lasts longer than most of your back‑to‑school purchases. From AI-assisted research to the power required for STEM workloads and gaming during downtime in the dorm, your PC plays a significant role in college life. In 2026, your laptop is the lecture hall, the library, and the social hub all in one.

Windows 11 delivers the flexibility students need to balance school and life. In one day, you might use your laptop to write a 10-page paper, join a virtual class via Microsoft Teams8, edit a video for a club, and then unwind with a gaming session. With the Microsoft College Offer1, that investment goes much further, pairing performance hardware with a valuable bundle of software and entertainment designed for college life.

Buy select Windows 11 PCs and unlock $500+ in added value with the ultimate college bundle

Eligible students in the U.S. can purchase select Windows 11 PCs and get the ultimate college bundle with $500+ in added value.1 That includes 1 year of Microsoft 365 Premium2, 1 year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate3, and a design-your-own Xbox Wireless Controller. This bundle is designed to support both productivity and downtime, all on one Windows 11 PC.

Take a closer look at the amazing value unlocked with the ultimate college bundle.7

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, free for 1 year9

Save $29.99/month for 1 full year with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. You receive 500+ games on Xbox console, PC, and supported devices.3

Additional benefits unique to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate4 are:

  • New games on day one
  • Includes Fortnite Crew, EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics
  • Stream games at our best quality with the shortest wait times, including select games you own
  • Play and earn in the Store with Rewards5

A free Design-your-own Xbox Wireless Controller10

The retail value of Xbox custom controllers starts at $79.99, so you can express your style and level up your game while saving money. Customize your new Xbox Wireless Controller’s body, back, bumpers, and thumbsticks so it matches your individual style, and then pair it with your new PC to start playing. Your free Xbox controller features a modern design with sculpted comfort, textured trigger and grips, and hybrid D-pad for precise control. Want an even more customized controller? For additional fees, upgrade to metallic finishes, grip textures, patterns, and more!

When you finally get a break from classes, Xbox mode is rolling out later this month to Windows 11 PCs in the United States and other select markets later. It will make your PC feel like an Xbox the moment you pick up the controller. Turn it on and your PC launches into a full screen, controller-optimized gaming experience. Your games are all in one place, navigation is simple, and switching between games or apps stays smooth and distraction free.

Microsoft 365 Premium, free for 1 year9

Cutting-edge AI6, advanced security, cloud storage, and all the apps are yours free for 1 year with the Microsoft 365 Premium plan. You save $199.99 with that 1-year subscription, which you can use for late night pizza deliveries while using Microsoft Word to write those term papers. 

With the Microsoft 365 Premium plan, you get all the benefits available in the Microsoft 365 Family plan and the Microsoft 365 Personal plan, and much more.

Redeem the Windows Back to School offer

Customers who purchased an eligible device will be notified in two ways to validate their student status. After the new PC is set up, students will see an on-screen notification to validate their student status. Alternatively, students will also receive an email prompting them to validate their student status in the inbox of the email they used to set up their new PC.

Redeeming your offer takes just a few steps:

  • Step 1 – Student Verification:
    • After clicking “Verify now” from the Windows screen or email, customers will be directed to the Microsoft Academic Verification page to fill out the form and provide their .edu college email address for verification.
  • Step 2 – Claim the offer:
    • After student verification is completed and successful, customers will receive an email to claim the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, Microsoft 365 Premium subscription, and the unique promo code to redeem the custom controller in about 3 days.

Your chance to score the ultimate college bundle ends in June

Purchase a select Windows 11 PC before June 30, 2026 and the ultimate college bundle is yours: 1 year of Microsoft 365 Premium, 1 year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and your own custom Xbox controller. It’s more than $500 in added value to make school, gaming, and everything in between more fun and a little easier on your wallet.

Windows 11 features students will love

Windows 11 is designed to help students stay organized, productive, and connected throughout the school year.

  • Snap layouts and multitasking: Students can open lecture notes, research tabs, and a draft paper side‑by‑side without clutter. Snap layouts make it easy to arrange windows and stay focused.
  • Copilot on Windows for school and life: Copilot is your AI assistant that enhances the Windows experience by helping you:
    • Brainstorm outlines from a prompt
    • Rewrite text for clarity or tone
    • Summarize long readings or articles
    • Manage schedules and deadlines
    • Create budgets
    • Write and optimize resumes
  • Performance for gaming and study breaks: Windows supports a wide range of hardware, from budget‑friendly laptops to high‑performance gaming rigs. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate included in the ultimate college bundle, students get instant access to hundreds of games across PC and cloud.
  • Phone and PC flow: Students can see phone messages and notifications on their PC, helping them stay focused during class or study sessions without constantly checking their phone.
  • Security and updates: The most secure Windows ever, Windows 11 includes built‑in protections to help keep personal data safe. Automatic updates can help protect your device throughout the school year.

The best Windows laptop for students: A quick checklist

Everyone uses their laptop differently, so the smartest way to choose is to match the device to how you’ll use it on a typical day:

  • Will you carry your laptop all day? Choose something ultraportable with long battery life that’s easy to slip into a backpack.
  • Do you prefer to handwrite notes or do creative work? A 2‑in‑1 with pen support and a high‑quality display makes note‑taking, sketching, and annotating much easier.
  • Do you need top performance for class and downtime? Look for a strong CPU/GPU that can handle engineering software, design tools, or gaming.

With Windows 11 PCs, college students can choose reliable devices for everyday schoolwork like writing, research, video calls, and streaming as well as higher‑performance PCs built for STEM projects, creative work like video editing or 3D design, and gaming.

Best laptop types for common majors

Depending on your major, you rely on your laptop in very different ways, so it helps to match the laptop you choose with the demands of your area of study.

  • Liberal arts and business: Lightweight 13-inch to 15-inch laptop with a great keyboard and long battery life
  • STEM and data analytics: At least 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, and a strong CPU
  • Design and media: Color‑accurate display, larger storage, optional dedicated GPU
  • Gaming and school: Prioritize graphics performance, 16GB+ RAM, plenty of storage

Frequently asked questions

  • Microsoft College Offer: Eligible U.S. college students can purchase select Windows 11 PCs and receive 1 year of Microsoft 365 Premium, 1 year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and a customized color Xbox Wireless Controller10
    from Xbox Design Lab.

  • Microsoft 365 Premium brings everything you need to create, collaborate, and stay protected—all in one place for up to six people. It offers the highest Copilot usage limits, and subscribers have access to additional and exclusive AI features6 as they become available. AI features only available to subscription owner and cannot be shared; usage limits apply. Learn more.​

  • Hundreds of games. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate gives you access to a massive game library the moment you power up.

  • Eligible college and university students in the United States who purchase a new, qualified Windows PC may redeem 1 year of Microsoft 365 Premium, 1 year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and an Xbox Design Lab Wireless Controller. Basic color selection of the controller is included; other options such as limited-edition designs; different finishing, patterns, rubberized grips, metallic colors; and engraving are available for an additional cost. See Xbox Design Lab.

    • Offer applies to new Microsoft 365 Premium subscribers and new Xbox Game Pass subscribers only.
    • Verification of higher education student status from an accredited university or college in the U.S. with a valid .edu email address is required.
    • Offer available in U.S. only.

  • Redemption must be completed by 11:59pm Pacific Time on July 31, 2026. To initiate redemption of the offer subscriptions and Xbox Wireless Controller, customers must verify their student eligibility using their .edu college email address. Customers who purchased an eligible device will be notified in two ways to check for their student eligibility:

    • On their new PC, students will see an on-screen offer notification after device setup to check for qualification.
    • An email with offer details will be sent to the Microsoft account email address registered with the eligible device reminding them to verify their college student status.

     

    Step 1 – Student verification:

    • After clicking “Verify now” from the Windows screen or email, customers will be directed to the Microsoft Academic Verification page. Please sign in with the Microsoft account email registered with the eligible Windows PC, fill out the form, and provide their .edu college email address for verification.

     

    Step 2 – Claim the offer:

    • After student verification is successfully completed, students will receive an email to claim their Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, Microsoft 365 Premium subscription, and the unique promo code to redeem the controller. If you view the email on your mobile phone, please note that you can only claim your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription on your eligible PC.
    • A valid payment method is required to redeem the subscriptions, and, after the 1-year promotional period, you will be charged the applicable monthly subscription fee. You will be notified of any price changes and may cancel at any time by visiting account.microsoft.com.
    • If the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription is activated prior to student verification, you must complete that verification within 5 days of such activation or the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription will be deactivated.
DISCLAIMER: Features and functionality subject to change. Articles are written specifically for the United States market; features, functionality, and availability may vary by region. 
  • [1] Eligibility requirements apply, Available only to eligible college students in the U.S. with a valid .edu email address who are new subscribers; auto-renew and other terms apply. The offer is available for a limited time while supplies last. Redemption requires a Microsoft account and following the provided steps after purchase.
  • [2] Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription required; AI features only available to subscription owner and cannot be shared; usage limits apply. Learn more. Minimum age limits may apply to use of AI features. App availability varies by device/language. Features vary by platform. Details.
  • [3] Game catalog varies over time, by region, and by device. 
See xbox.com/gamepass.
  • [4] Xbox Cloud Gaming requires an Xbox Game Pass subscription and supported device (both sold separately). Cloud playable games not included with Xbox Game Pass are sold separately, and may be made available with Xbox Game Pass in the future. Game library varies. Stream directly on Xbox consoles, or with the Xbox app or at xbox.com/play on supported devices. Select regions (xbox.com/regions) and devices (xbox.com/cloud-devices). See cloud gaming library (xbox.com/play).
  • [5] Rewards: Terms apply. Microsoft Account required. Select markets only. Rewards vary by Game Pass plan and Rewards Level. Point values vary by local market currency, Rewards level, and the number of points redeemed. Point multipliers compared to Game Pass Essential earning potential. Gameplay rewards for 18+. Exclusive quests with Premium and Ultimate plans only, for titles in the Game Pass library. Excludes PC Games that require 3rd party launchers or are played on Battle.net. Playtime required for all quests. Qualifying purchases at Microsoft Store (online, or on Windows or console) at Rewards with Xbox. Spend your Points at the Store: Currently available for single-item purchases at the Microsoft Store, excluding subscriptions. Minimum purchase required to redeem points. Microsoft.com/msa. Xbox Gift Cards: For eligible purchases at Microsoft Store within 90 days of redemption. microsoft.com/cardterms. Point values vary by local market currency, Rewards level, and the number of points redeemed. Points value vary by currency fluctuations, Rewards level, and the number of points redeemed.
  • [6] AI features only available to subscription owner and cannot be shared; usage limits apply. Learn more. Minimum age limits may apply to use of AI features. Details.
  • [7] Through 6/30/26, while supplies last. Available only to eligible college students with a valid .edu email address who are new subscribers; auto-renew and other terms apply. See details. 
  • [8] Subscription required.
  • [9] For new subscribers only. Valid payment method required; subscriptions auto‑renew. See terms and conditions for details.
  • [10] Upgrades available; additional fees apply.
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