Published 2022-02-16 by TechNet New England
Windows 11 has been available since October 2021, and it has matured enough that businesses can start planning their migration with confidence. With Windows 10 support ending in October 2025, now is the time to develop your upgrade strategy.
Pre-Migration Assessment
Hardware Compatibility
Run the Microsoft PC Health Check app on every machine. Document which computers are compatible and which are not. For incompatible machines, decide whether to:
- Replace them with new hardware that ships with Windows 11
- Keep them on Windows 10 until their next scheduled replacement
- Evaluate whether TPM can be enabled in BIOS settings
Software Compatibility
Test every critical application with Windows 11 before deploying:
- Line-of-business applications
- Accounting and financial software
- Industry-specific tools
- Printer and scanner drivers
- VPN clients
Migration Strategy
Phase 1: Pilot Group
Start with a small group of tech-comfortable employees. Include at least one person from each department to test department-specific workflows. Run the pilot for at least two weeks.
Phase 2: Staged Rollout
After a successful pilot, migrate departments one at a time. This limits disruption and gives your IT support capacity to handle questions.
Phase 3: Remaining Systems
Complete the migration for all compatible systems. Address any remaining incompatible hardware through replacement or retirement.
Key Changes Your Team Will Notice
- Centered taskbar: The Start button and taskbar icons are centered by default (can be moved back to the left)
- Simplified Start menu: No more Live Tiles. The Start menu shows pinned apps and recent files
- Snap Layouts: Hover over the maximize button to see window arrangement options
- Right-click menus: Context menus are simplified with a "Show more options" link for the full menu
- Settings app: Redesigned and reorganized. Some familiar settings have moved
Training Tips
Prepare a brief guide or short video covering the most visible changes. Most employees will adapt quickly, but address common questions proactively to reduce help desk calls.
A well-planned migration is smooth and uneventful. If you need help planning or executing your Windows 11 migration, reach out to TechNet New England.