Getting Ready for the Windows 11 Upgrade

For IT specialists gearing up for the Windows 11 release later this year, you can rest assured it will be much a much easier transition than upgrades of yesteryear. Microsoft has attempted to make your switch from Windows 10 to 11 as seamless as possible. 

Here are some factors businesses should keep in mind when upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 in 2021 and beyond: 

• Windows 10 updates will continue – Even with its shiny new OS hitting the market this year, Microsoft will continue to update Windows 10. As it has done in the past, Microsoft will create monthly security updates for both Windows 10 and 11. 
• Windows 10 supported until 2025 – Microsoft will exit Windows 10 support on Oct. 14, 2025. Also, Microsoft will release a feature upgrade for Windows 10 – called 21H2 – later this year. It will include the standard 30 months of support on devices running Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Education, but only 1 months for all others. Windows 10 21H2 will be retired in spring 2024 on Enterprise/Education, and a year earlier on Home/Pro. Also, Microsoft has not changed the Windows 10 support lifecycle, so the 18- and 30-month periods will stay the same.  
• More support – Windows 11 Home and Pro will be supported for 24 months, up from 18. And Windows 11 Enterprise and Education will receive support for 36 months, up from 30.  
• Windows is annual – Microsoft is dropping Windows 10’s twice-a-year upgrade cadence and replace it with a once-a-year tempo for Windows 11. The lone feature upgrade will launch in each year’s second half, and assumptions say between mid-October and early November – the general release window for 10’s second-half upgrade.  
• 64-bit version only – Windows 11 will come only in a 54-bit edition, unlike Windows 10, which has been available in 32- and 64-bit versions. However, 32-bit applications will continue to run and work on Windows 11, but devices with a 32-bit processor will not be able to install the operating system.  
• Free upgrade – Customers running Windows 10 under a legal license can move to Windows 11 for free.  
• Servicing tools remain the same – Current servicing tools will work with Windows 11 just as they do Windows 10. Windows 10 Home and unmanaged Windows 10 Pro devices will draw monthly updates through Windows Update. Enterprise IT administrators can call on Windows Server Update Services, Windows Update for Business a, Endpoint Manager’s Configuration Manager, Microsoft Intune and other deployment and maintenance software and services.  

If you would like to learn more about Windows 11, give us a call today. 2W Tech is a technology service provider and a Microsoft Gold Partner. We would be happy to discuss Windows 11, Microsoft Teams or any of the applications within Microsoft 365 with you.

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