In brief: not yet.
You’ve probably been hearing more and more news recently about Windows 11, which was released to the public in late 2021. Windows 11 is now available as the default operating system (OS) on certain new Microsoft workstations, or as a free upgrade to current Windows 10 devices with adequate hardware, and you may be wondering how this will impact your organization’s existing infrastructure, and whether or not you should make the switch.
Here’s what we know so far.
For the end-user, Windows 11 will mostly be a similar experience to Windows 10. There are some changes to the user interface, streamlining the design and integrating more deeply with Microsoft Teams, as well as improving the multitasking experience and making several performance updates.
Technically speaking, it’s a new operating system, which will likely interact with your organization’s current software differently – and wherever change happens in IT, the risk of hiccups follows. Therefore, a major OS change like this requires planning and preparation to minimize any potential disruption.
Yes! Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 with new updates until late 2025. As that date approaches, Microsoft’s attention and prioritization will likely skew towards Windows 11, but for now Windows 10 is entirely viable, and remains the standard OS for Mytech clients.
3 ½ years may seem like a long time right now, but it’s quite soon in the scope of hardware lifecycle planning. If you have upcoming device purchases, it’s a good idea to check with your IT team to see how that timetable will affect your hardware decisions.
At present, Mytech has no timeline in place for upgrading our clients to Windows 11. We are exploring and evaluating Windows 11 in its first months of deployment, and are gathering the information we need to consult with you on this decision. Once the nuances, risks, and idiosyncrasies of Windows 11 are clearer, we will be able to speak confidently about its potential impact on your security and productivity.
Just like every other IT decision, this eventual migration will likely be affected by your organization’s goals and logistical constraints. As your strategic partner, Mytech will collaborate with you closely on this decision when it comes, to ensure that you can navigate this change on a timeline that meets your needs. If you have any further questions about Windows 11, or if you want to discuss how this might affect your upcoming decisions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.