Essential Actions for IT Teams on Windows 10 in the Next Two Months
As the October end-of-support deadline for Windows 10 approaches, businesses are urged to migrate to Windows 11 to ensure continued security and compatibility. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this transition smoothly.
1. Assess and Prepare Your Environment
Evaluate your current hardware and software compatibility with Windows 11. Identify any issues with applications or devices that need remediation, such as upgrades or replacements. Prepare your IT environment for the new OS, including moving Group Policy management to cloud-based Intune if applicable.
2. Back Up User Data and Settings
Use tools like OneDrive known folder move or Windows Backup for Organizations to automatically back up desktop, documents, and pictures. Monitor sync health to ensure all data is safely backed up before migration.
3. Pilot Testing
Select a small group of users or departments to deploy Windows 11 initially. Test for software compatibility, performance issues, and security feature functionality. Consider also testing the rollback process to Windows 10 on a few devices as a safety precaution.
4. Plan and Communicate Migration
Coordinate with business units for asset management, communicate clear migration timelines and user instructions, and ensure all critical applications and data are available on new devices before handover.
5. Upgrade Devices
Perform the upgrade via Windows Update, Microsoft’s Windows 11 Installation Assistant, or device refresh approaches such as swap-and-go with pre-configured Windows 11 devices or wipe-and-load (reimage existing hardware, join to Microsoft Entra ID, and restore data).
6. Migrate Devices to Modern Management and Identity Solutions
Transition devices from domain-joined to Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) joined for cloud-native management and security benefits using Microsoft Intune.
7. Automate Where Possible
Use automation tools to reduce IT workload by automating fleet assessment, deployment, and validation, minimizing disruption and human error.
8. User Training and Support
Train end users on Windows 11 features and provide ongoing support during and after migration to maintain productivity.
Smaller companies may face challenges due to their end users' lack of awareness about the Windows 10 EoL deadline. From a compliance perspective, there are project issues with getting the migration to Windows 11 done in time. However, smaller organizations have time to turn the transition to Windows 11 around, while larger organizations may already be underway with the process.
From an operational resilience perspective, unsupported systems pose threats even if machines are running internally. The migration to Windows 11 should be rolled out by the deadline date, with a focus on achieving goals without creating a mess to tidy up. A defined plan is necessary, with contingencies and backups in place to prevent a sudden rollout of new machines.
Over the next two months, key milestones should be defined for the completion of the planning, testing, and implementation phases. Internal messaging management is crucial during the transition process to ensure a smooth transition for employees. The deadline for the Windows 10 EoL should be kept in focus to ensure that milestones are hit.
More than two in every five Windows desktops are currently approaching their end of life (EoL). It's important to ensure that everyone is onboarded and trained to use the new environment effectively. If the budget is not available, it needs to be secured from relevant leadership stakeholders as this transition is mission-critical. If the old devices don't support Windows 11, large rollouts of new devices may be required, necessitating urgent action. An audit is necessary to understand the number of Windows 10 machines and employees using them.
- To maintain compliance with the upcoming Windows 10 end-of-life deadline, smaller organizations should prioritize their digital transformation strategy, focusing on a smooth migration to Windows 11, including assessment, preparation, backup, testing, communication, device upgrades, modern management, automation, user training, and support.
- As part of their data-and-cloud-computing strategy, businesses should leverage technology solutions, such as Microsoft Intune and Azure AD, to ensure cloud-native management and security benefits during the Windows 11 migration process, preventing potential threats from unsupported systems and ensuring a seamless transition, while also being mindful of the budget constraints and potential need for large device rollouts as old devices may not support Windows 11.
