IT Teams Need to Implement Key Actions Regarding Windows 10 within the Next Two Months
With the end-of-support deadline for Windows 10 looming in October, businesses are urged to migrate to Windows 11 to ensure operational resilience and compliance. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make a smooth transition.
Step 1: Assess Current Environment and Readiness
Begin with a thorough inventory and hardware assessment to identify devices that meet Windows 11 system requirements. Evaluate software compatibility to identify any legacy applications that might not work on Windows 11.
Step 2: Plan the Upgrade Strategy
Develop a tailored migration roadmap that includes phased rollouts or pilot testing. Prioritise critical systems, plan resource allocation, user training, and communications to minimise disruption. Testing in a sandbox or pilot group helps identify issues early.
Step 3: Prepare the Environment for Cloud-Native Management
Transition traditional management practices by moving Group Policy to Microsoft Intune and planning to migrate devices from domain-joined to Microsoft Entra ID joined. This supports modern cloud identity and management.
Step 4: Back Up and Protect User Data
Use tools such as OneDrive known folder move to automatically back up important user files (Desktop, Documents, Pictures). Monitor sync health regularly and ensure that user data is securely backed up before starting upgrades.
Step 5: Execute Device Upgrades and Migration
Upgrade existing eligible devices to Windows 11 or use replacement strategies such as "swap and go" (issuing pre-configured Windows 11 devices) or "wipe and load" (reimaging devices with Windows 11 and joining to Microsoft Entra ID). Restore user apps and settings accordingly.
Step 6: Conduct Final Testing and User Training
After migration, perform thorough testing, update documentation, and provide training to end-users on new features and workflows to ensure smooth adoption.
Step 7: Coordinate Business Processes and Asset Management
Communicate migration steps across departments and ensure critical applications and data are available on new devices before handover. Monitor compliance and operational risks closely after migration.
Starting in August with hardware and software assessments, followed by phased migration over several weeks leading up to October, provides a buffer to avoid rushed deployments and potential downtime.
Engaging with managed service providers or IT partners can assist with compatibility assessments, deployment, data migration, and ongoing support to ensure a smooth transition.
It's important to keep focused on the deadline to ensure the milestones are hit and the transition is completed on time. Smaller companies may face challenges due to their end users' lack of awareness about the Windows 10 end-of-life deadline. Therefore, it's crucial to communicate the importance of the transition and the potential risks of non-compliance.
In the process of digital transformation, businesses should prioritize compliance by assessing their current data-and-cloud-computing environment for devices that meet Windows 11 system requirements and software compatibility for a smooth transition. To enable modern cloud identity and management, it's essential to prepare the environment for cloud-native management, transitioning from traditional Group Policy to Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra ID joined.
