Upgrade to Windows 11 – Why should you?

Windows 11 has been out a little over a year. Since before it was released, I have been running Windows 11 (in preview). Here at risual we upgraded to Windows 11 very quickly after it launched. Since then, I have had conversations with clients about looking at upgrading. Many of these conversations have been short with many not interested in upgrading. Here I wanted to look at why many people I speak to do not want to upgrade. And why I believe they should.

Windows 11

Current Challenges

I’ve spoken to many clients over the past year about migrating to Windows 11. Many have decided not to migrate, and these are the types of reasons I am hearing:

  • Windows 10 does a good enough job.
  • What’s the benefit?
  • Just finished a large-scale project to migrate to Windows 10, why would I do that again so quickly?
  • We will migrate when we have to.

I believe there are two common themes in the responses I have received: 1, people don’t see why they should upgrade and 2, everyone sees the upgrade as another huge scale project with similar challenges as Windows 7 to Windows 10.

Windows 11 Benefits

Windows 10 may very well do a good enough job at the moment, but there are benefits to upgrading to Windows 11 that I think many people may not be aware of.

Built in Security

Microsoft work effortlessly to improve the threat protection of its customers. They receive trillions of signals across their infrastructure and work with thousands of partners, including AI capabilities. All of this information has been used as part of the build of Windows 11 and includes the following capabilities:

  • Application Control – There is a new built-in feature, called Smart App Control. This protects users from accidently running untrusted or unsigned applications and uses those trillions of signals to help predict if an application is safe.
  • Driver Protection – Memory Intgrity is enabled on Windows 11 by default. This helps protect any attacks that try to modify the kernel mode code, such as drivers. The Microsoft vulnerable driver block list will also be enabled for all devices started from 22H2.
  • Credential Guard – This is available in Windows 10 but is enabled by default in Windows 11. It protects against credential theft techniques that could be used to gain credentials and compromise a device and/or environment.
  • Windows Hello for Business Presence Sensing – This feature of Windows Hello for Business can be configured so that Windows Hello will sign you in when you approach and then lock when you leave. However, this is dependent on the hardware that you have available.

Improved User Experience

There upgrade to Windows 11 improves the user experience and increases productivity for users:

  • Snap Layouts – This feature allows you to arrange multiple applications on your screen to view a wider variety of information. There are multiple views to choose from and they can easily be set by dragging your application to the top of the screen.
  • Snap Groups – These are saved configuration of Snap Layouts. This allows you to have various applications and configurations saved and when you select the group, those applications and their information are visible straight away.
  • Enhanced touchscreen, and pen support – Windows feels more comfortable with touch controls and new gestures have been added. There is better feedback when using a pen including vibrations or sounds.
Snap Layout Options

The above experiences can help users with their day-to-day tasks. Being able to view a wealth of information on screen and flip between saved layouts as well as better pen experience will help many users.

Improved Virtual Desktop Capabilities

Windows 11 and Windows 365 are both part of the new Windows experience. They are intrinsically linked. And this is shown with the introduction of the following capabilities:

  • Windows 365 App – The Windows 365 app (currently in preview at time of writing), allows for users to quickly access their Cloud PC. The app provides a seamless experience accessing your PC in the cloud, accessing it straight from the taskbar or start menu.
  • SSO to Windows 365 – If you have already authenticated with AAD logging in to Windows 11, then you can authenticate with your Windows 365 device without needing to re-enter your credentials.
  • Boot to Windows 365 – The option to use your Cloud PC as the primary Windows experience on a device is available. This gives options to allow for lower specification devices to boot into powerful cloud PCs. However, it does currently require an Internet connection to work.
  • Windows 365 Offline Mode – To combat the above, Microsoft are working on an Offline Mode for Windows 365, allowing you to continue working on your Cloud PC without an Internet connection.

Easy Upgrade Path

Many people see Windows 11 as just a rebranded Windows 10. In essence, they are partly true. Windows 11 has been built in top of Windows 10. However, I see that as a benefit. Because it allows for the following:

  • Application Compatibility – Any applications that work on Windows 10 will work on Windows 11. Many people were held back on Windows 7 because of app compatibility, but this isn’t the case anymore. All that work you did to upgrade or transforms applications isn’t a waste. As those applications will continue to work on Windows 11. For more information, please see this article.
  • Upgrade using Windows Update – If you manage your Windows Updates, especially when using Microsoft Intune or Microsoft Configuration Manager, then upgrading to Windows 11 couldn’t be easier. You can manage the upgrade like you manage an update. This allows you to build in the upgrade using tiers of devices just as you do monthly for your scheduled updates.
Upgrade to Windows 11 through Windows Update Rings in Microsoft Intune

Summary

In summary, there are benefits to upgrading to Windows 11. But I think the biggest one I have is “Why Not?”. The upgrade to Windows 11 process is easy, applications are compatible, and you benefit from additional user experience and virtual desktop capabilities. Unless you are currently running hardware that does not support Windows 11, I personally see no reason not to at least run a pilot. Windows 11 is the future of Windows. It makes sense to me that you are running the latest and greatest to benefit from future improvements straight away.

Would you like to deep dive into NextGen Windows and discover transformational end user computing experiences?

Register for our NextGen Windows workshop and benefit from:

✅ A better understanding of when and how to leverage Cloud PCs with Windows 365.

✅ How to best manage virtual endpoints across Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop.

✅ Leveraging Windows 11, the most secure OS yet, to enable hybrid work for all employees.

✅ Implementation of best practices for endpoint management with Microsoft Endpoint Manager.

About the author