The end of support for Windows 10 has left many organizations determining whether to upgrade, extend support, or repurpose existing devices. Lakeside Software reports that approximately 17% of enterprise Windows devices remain on Windows 10.
Hardware and Compatibility
Organizations are advised to assess upgrade readiness using hardware and firmware data, focusing on CPU model, TPM presence, and memory capacity. This data helps evaluate the viability of Windows 11 deployments or identify alternative solutions.
Furthermore, scrutinizing software dependencies is crucial to managing costly Extended Support (ESU) investments. By mapping application usage, companies can narrow down ESU investment to essential systems, significantly reducing expenditure.
Performance and Diagnostics
Device health assessments focusing on CPU load, memory pressure, and disk latency are essential. Tracking performance metrics such as boot time and crash frequency detects machines likely to fail post-migration.
Pilot projects should include consistent monitoring to validate telemetry data and usage feedback, ensuring pilot successes scale effectively across the enterprise. Deep device telemetry also assists in diagnosing post-upgrade failures like driver misalignment and resource contention.
Strategic Decisions
Organizations face performance trade-offs when migrating to Windows 11, as upgrades can improve disk throughput (~7%) and reduce latency, though at the cost of increased CPU and memory usage. Some systems may require hardware refreshes to prevent performance regressions.
Ultimately, there is no universal solution. Companies must decide between migration, ESU for vital systems, and device repurposing. The underlying theme for effective decision-making remains: possessing comprehensive, real-time insight into hardware and software performance is indispensable.
