Microsoft’s Latest Guide for Windows 11 Upgrades
Recently, Microsoft unveiled a comprehensive guide aimed at IT administrators, detailing how they can leverage Intune for upgrading Windows 10 devices to Windows 11. This guide also addresses the migration from traditional Active Directory (AD) to a more modern, cloud-based solution like Entra ID. Additionally, a separate manual was released highlighting Windows Autopatch as the swiftest and safest approach for enterprises looking to transition to Windows 11.
Understanding Windows Autopatch
For those unfamiliar, Windows Autopatch is a revolutionary tool designed for automating system updates. It empowers IT administrators to manage endpoint health and compliance effectively by employing a staggered, ring-based deployment strategy. Notably, this feature also allows for easy reversal of updates in the event of unexpected issues.
Four Steps to Upgrade to Windows 11
Step 1: Assess Windows 11 Readiness
In its process for upgrading enterprise PCs to Windows 11 via Autopatch, Microsoft outlines a structured four-step approach. The first step is to evaluate the organization’s readiness for Windows 11. This involves assigning Entra ID groups to devices and subsequently mapping these groups to various rollout rings within the Autopatch system.
Step 2: Segment Devices into Groups
The second step requires IT admins to categorize devices into distinct Windows Autopatch groups. They must establish staggered rollout policies controlled through rollout rings. At a minimum, this process will designate two main groups: one for devices that meet Windows 11 criteria and should proceed with the upgrade, and another for Windows 10 hardware that falls short of these criteria, which will receive Extended Security Updates (ESUs).Each group needs a tailored update policy, ensuring logical distribution across the rings.
Step 3: Manage Update Rollout Speed
The third step focuses on determining the pace of staggered updates. Administrators can manage this aspect through the Intune admin center, which allows control over sequencing, the speed of rollouts, and potential update deferrals.
Step 4: Monitor the Update Process
In the final step, IT admins are advised to utilize the reporting module within the Windows Autopatch feature to monitor the upgrading of devices to Windows 11. This module provides insights into the update status across devices, visual trendlines over historical views, and remediation instructions for addressing any encountered errors.
Microsoft asserts that utilizing the combination of Windows Autopatch and Intune is the most efficient method for transitioning to Windows 11. Given that support for Windows 10 is set to conclude on October 14, 2025, IT administrators are encouraged to initiate this upgrade process as soon as possible.
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