What to do if you still haven’t made the shift to Windows 11

There are other important issues such as compatibility. Developers won’t continue to create new applications for an obsolete operating system. This means that over time the software you rely on will stop being compatible with Windows 10. Lack of updates isn’t just a usability issue, it is also a security risk.  

Considerations for moving over to Windows 11 

According to Statcounter, Windows 10 still has 30% of the market, with Windows 11 at 69%.  

Some of the remaining Windows 10 estate will be personal devices, but many organisations are still managing Windows 10 endpoints because of hardware constraints, application dependencies, operational risk or the sheer complexity of large-scale migration. 

Hardware compatibility 

Perhaps the most expensive, and therefore the biggest, hurdle is potentially having to update hardware to be compatible with Windows 11. The system requirements are stricter than for Windows 10; specifically, it requires TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and a supported CPU. This need can easily be clarified on the Microsoft compatibility list or by downloading the PC Health Check App. 

Many of the outstanding Windows 10 users are probably on an incompatible device. Bypassing these system requirements, where possible, is not recommended as Microsoft will no longer offer hardware or software support. Most business devices have supported these new requirements for some time, but for those who have not refreshed their technology estate for a while, it will need to be addressed now.  

Feature changes 

Those introducing Windows 11 across their business might need to think about supporting the adoption with users. Although it is not a major upgrade compared to some we have seen in the past, it does look and feel a little different to Windows 10. There is a redesigned interface, a centred Start menu, and new features like snap layouts and widgets. While it has been designed with usability in mind and most people will pick up the changes, for speed and efficiency it might be useful to offer some extra training and support in the early days. Change is never easy and depending on how tech-savvy your employees are, it could be disruptive to move everyone over at once with no extra time or support to become familiar with it. 

The main changes that we have seen are small but useful tweaks. Overall, it has better performance, with a focus on improved start-up times and ability to hibernate. It is more stable with better management of memory and the search facility makes it easier to find files. 

The biggest benefit is security. It is better than Windows 10 and now supports Microsoft Hotpatch (rebootless patching via Windows Autopatch). This will significantly improve user experience and enable faster deployment of security updates.  

Application compatibility 

Most Windows 10 applications should work on Windows 11, but there are exceptions. This is especially likely if you run any older or niche software. Ensure you check/test critical applications before you upgrade to make sure they will continue working. 

The upgrade to Windows 11 presents an opportunity for many organisations to move away from on-premises Active Directory to Entra ID as part of their wider cloud-adoption strategy. It does not have to be done at the point of upgrade, but it is a good time to make the switch. 

So, what to do next? 

For those still to upgrade to Windows 11, the issue is more urgent now, not just because of cost. As the scale and complexity of cyberattacks grow, an unpatched device is an easy target. For businesses with thousands of machines yet to upgrade, this could be a costly update whether they kick the can down the road with the ESU or invest in upgrading hardware as needed. However, moving significant numbers of people over to a new operating system doesn’t happen overnight and there are costs associated with that too. It’s a question of weighing up what the better solution is. 

It is unlikely there will be further extensions so the time to act is now.