With the recent release of Windows 11, Microsoft’s newest version of Windows, it is recommended for Windows 10 users to upgrade. Windows 11 has several new features, driving a number of benefits:

• Improved productivity with a streamlined interface and improved app integrations
• Better protection against cyber security threats with secured-core PC’s, which are said to be twice as resistant to malware than previous versions
• Increased accessibility features, giving everyone a better Windows experience

In terms of making the transition to Windows 11, you have three core options:

1. Upgrade eligible devices to Windows 11 using your tooling/ approach of choice
2. Purchase new Windows 11 devices, leveraging modern provisioning through Windows Autopilot
3. Migrate to Cloud PCs with Windows 365 to make Windows 11 available to users on any device

When making the migration to Windows 11, there are several factors to consider, including whether your hardware is ready, if your employees, stakeholders, and customers are prepared, and if your apps are compatible. Download your free Windows 11 deployment guide to find out everything you need to know about upgrading.

Refresh to new Windows 11 devices

Microsoft’s most updated devices are innately accessible, user-friendly, and secure. Built for the user experience, Windows 11 devices are next level.

If you wish to upgrade to Windows 11 by updating your devices, you must determine the readiness and eligibility of your current devices, checking that they all meet the hardware requirements and can be upgraded to Windows 11. This can be done through your existing management tooling, with support from Windows 11 specialists .

For devices that aren’t eligible for Windows 11, or older devices due for a refresh, now is the time to transition to new devices running Windows 11. New modern devices from partners like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Surface and the rest of the Windows ecosystem offer a wide range of options to suit different end user needs.

Migrate to Windows 11 in the cloud with Windows 365

On your journey to modernising your endpoint estate, you can move end users with Windows 10 devices to Windows 11 in the cloud using Windows 365. This ensures all employees will receive every Windows 11 security update, as well as opening new ways of working.

Microsoft have announced that Windows 365 subscriptions will include Extended Security Updates (ESUs) at no additional cost for Windows 10 devices that access Windows 365. This new option gives you the flexibility to continue using older Windows 10 devices for longer, supporting both cost and sustainability goals, through extending the life of these devices for an additional three years.

Windows 365 recently made a new service option generally available for frontline and shift workers. If workers don’t use a dedicated personal computer, but rather use a device that is shared or an older device, they can access Windows 11 using Windows 365.

Extended Security Updates (ESU’s) for Windows 10

Moving to Windows 11 is the widely recommended next step once Windows 10 reaches EoS, but this can be difficult for some organisations due to budgets, compliance, and guidelines. Therefore, Microsoft have announced they will offer Extended Security Updates (ESU’s) on Windows 10.

Like the Windows 7 ESU programme, organisations will be able to purchase a yearly subscription to security updates. The yearly commitment is renewable for three years. Devices enrolled in ESUs will receive monthly security updates to keep these Windows 10 devices secure.

The ESU programme for Windows 10 will include critical security updates. ESUs do not include new features, customer-requested non-security updates, or design change requests. Technical support beyond the ESU itself is also not available. Some important points to note:

• For Windows 365 customers, ESUs will be provided for the Windows 10 devices that connect to a Cloud PC running Windows 11 at no additional cost
• If you run a Windows 10 instance in Azure Virtual Desktop, ESUs will also be available at no additional charge on those virtual machines (consumption not included)
• The pricing for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) has not been announced yet. However, it is expected to be similar to the Windows 7 ESU programme

Are you finding upgrading to Windows 11 daunting? Download your free deployment guide to find out everything you need to know.