Operating guide · Endpoints
Moving an ageing Windows 10 fleet to Windows 11 and managed endpoints
A lifecycle and endpoint-management programme for a distributed small business.
Gaps to close
- Move away from unsupported operating systems
- Avoid unnecessary replacement
- Protect user data and business applications
- Establish ongoing patch and ownership evidence
Decisions to settle
- Upgrade, temporary extension, isolation or replacement per device
- Corporate or managed personal device model
- Standard hardware and support lifetime
- Wave sequence for awkward applications and peripherals
- Secure disposal evidence
How to know it is working
- Active identities and devices reconcile
- Selected applications and difficult peripherals pass
- Managed patch and encryption reports are available
- Retired devices no longer access business services
Working documents
- Device decision register
- Windows 11 acceptance test
- Wave and communication plan
- Retirement and disposal record
Putting the routine in place
- 01
Reconciled inventory
Combine identity, management, procurement and physical records and classify compatibility and business dependency.
- 02
Difficult-device pilot
Test applications, peripherals, virtual private network access, printing, collaboration and support on chosen Windows 11 configurations.
- 03
Wave transition
Back up data, schedule users, apply management and security, verify work and retain a supportable rollback decision.
- 04
Retirement and operation
Remove access, erase or destroy data, update records and monitor patch and management coverage.