NOT deploying Windows 11 in a hurry!
Ahead of my “Guide to a writing a RFP for Windows 11 and current 11th Generation hardware” I figured it would be a good idea to review the status of Windows 11 and the practical things to consider getting to actually deploying and using it…
DO NOT BE IN A HURRY TO DEPLOY WINDOWS 11!!!!!
Figure out what hardware you have!
The first step is to figure out what you have. We have all the necessary analytical methods to help you figure that out. Fortunately, you do not need to deploy any new tool to do this – the tools you have almost certainly collected the data you need for us to help you figure this out. It’s not that complicated to figure out – reasons for not being upgradable will be:
What you need to do urgently is revise the specifications of what you are buying right now, as that will most definitely run Windows 11, if not now, later when you are ready. Scrambling to “fix” machines that are windows 11 capable, but not quite the right specification can get quite expensive! PLAN PLAN PLAN!
New Windows 11 considerations
There are two aspects to Windows 11 that must be considered for some environments.
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Configuring Deployment
You will be able to upgrade devices compatible with Windows 11 at no additional cost in terms of extra tools or services from Microsoft. Tools include:
You must be aware that Windows 11 will be offered as an update to eligible devices automatically, and devices you have deployed to staff to work from home may update outside of your corporate control measures, just like what happened from Windows 7 to Windows 10.
Windows update for business will also offer updates to elible devices throttled in the same manner as Windows update, but you must make sure you have configured WU4B for Target Version and not Feature Update deferrals.
Autopilot may be the best route to go in terms of working with your OEM supplier to have your machines shipped pre-configured for your environment.
If you are not sure about the best way of planning the Windows 11 upgrade, but also the best way to deploy it on existing and new hardware, we can help with that as well. Please contact your AM, or ask me to put you in touch with your First Tech. AM.
Piloting Windows 11
Though I said you should not be in a hurry to deploy Windows 11, three years will pass in a heartbeat and you could find yourself having to think about paying for Extended Support on Windows 10 (if Microsoft will even offer that). Prioritise the migration to Windows 11. Also if you are needing to upgrade from a version of Windows 10 that is not supported, try and upgrade to Windows 11 and not a newer build of Windows 10.
Start managing the updates and test Windows 11 in your environment by using rings to group communities in your company into pilots.
Thanks Barry, For the standard business end user, the transition from win10 to win11 could appear minor, a shift the start button here, the smoothing off of a window there. However, the underpinnings are quite dramatic when it comes to management. It certainly appears that the investment in a path to Windows 11 relies heavily on a well established O365/W365/m365 (just adding them all in as the names too are dynamic) management infrastructure, with minimal on premise investment. So SCCM -> Endpoint manager (InTune) That means the full ATP suite... In other words Win11 works better with cloud support. Get ready to retool your management infrastructure and know, Win7/8 ain't invited to this party.
Director at Dlondlobala Capital Proprietary Limited
3 年Thank you. Very useful.