How And Why To Prepare For Windows 11

In the next few months Microsoft will begin rolling out free Windows 11 upgrades to eligible computers so it is best to prepare for what is coming and understand some of the nuances of the new operating system before your computer look and feel changes.

This is inevitable, no matter how hard you wish it weren't so, it is coming, despite what Microsoft said at the official launch of Windows 10 being the last version of windows and would only get updates moving forwards! 

A lot can change in the tech world in six years which is why Windows 11 is coming and it will soon start shipping on new computers.

So how can you prepare.....

1. Check your existing hardware compatibility - this Microsoft article details the minimum system hardware requirements Windows 11 hardware requirements
2. Run a pilot - join the Microsoft Windows 11 development program and install Windows 11 on a spare machine so that you can prepare your business and staff for what is coming.  Whilst the bulk of the code underpinning Windows 11 is predominantly Windows 10, the user interface is the first of many changes you will immediately notice
3. Plan for deployment, decide when it is best to move your business over to the new operating system and provide staff with enough notice and training so they are prepared for the changes and can continue to function without being lost in a new operating system 
4. Decide what to do with equipment that doesn't meet the hardware spec, do you sweat the asset whilst still running Windows 10 or do you plan to replace
5. Make sure all your software will run with Windows 11, do not embark on an operating system upgrade without testing first, either by doing a pilot implementation to ensure all current software works (even if it means leveraging a virtual machine to run Windows 11) or by seeking assurances from the software manufacturers that their software has been tested and will run on Windows 11, however we would strongly recommend the first option of pilot testing as software manufacturers cannot test for every combination of application which could impact how theirs works on a new operating system
6. Identify early adopters, staff who are more willing to get up to speed with the new operating system and learn about the differences and who will be willing to assist their colleagues when the wider operating system upgrade takes place in the business
7. Have a contingency plan - even with all the testing in the world, there is always the chance of something not working, ensure there is a fall back plan, even if it is just temporary, to make sure you business can continue to function.  This could be a physical or virtual machine that is running Windows 10 and the applications however please ensure that this fall back position is covered by the software licensing, remember that vendors license their software in a multitude of ways so ensure that having a fall back solution does not violate your software license terms and conditions.

If you would like more information about Windows 11, to see a demo or to have help in preparing, please call us on 01722 411 999 and ask to speak to Emma.