Everyone hates to make changes and upgrading your organization’s operating system always feel like a challenge. It takes time to upgrade, your staff needs to learn the new features and interface and it’s not always worth the cost and time. Here are some key things to think about before upgrading:
Wait and let the bugs get patched
It’s always good to wait a bit from the release date before installing a new update. This means many of the bugs of the new system are worked out before you upgrade. We’ve seen problems in the past where upgrades go wrong and take time to put it back together. As Windows 11 was released in early October of 2021, many of those inevitable bugs have been patched.
Is security your main concern?
It’s always good to have the most up to date operating system if your organization has a lot of security concerns. Windows 11 has the most robust protection. Security support has closed for previous OS’s such as Windows XP (ended in 2014), Vista (2017), and Windows 7 (2020). Windows 8.1 support is going to end in 2023 and Windows 10 is scheduled for 2025. You could install a third party anti-virus application but that will only take so far. Another factor to consider is old and unsupported software – this can be an even greater threat to your security than an old operating system.
Enterprise PCs have a bit more time
If your enterprise is still running Windows 7 you still have a bit of time before security updates end. Volume-licensed editions of Windows 7 Professional and Enterprise will get security updates until Jan. 10, 2023, Windows Embedded Standard 7 until Oct. 10, 2023, Windows embedded POSReady 7 until 2024 and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC until 2029.
Some new features of Windows 11
Windows 11 has some interesting new features and designs including a new Start menu, new widgets display, new “Chat with Microsoft Teams” feature on the taskbar, better update control, and updates to the “quick settings and notifications” section.
The new Start menu looks and feels more like Apple’s – it’s located near the middle along the bottom and pops up centred on the screen. If you prefer the old way along the side, you can run it along the side. The menu offers a bit more control with dragging and dropping and also features live icons.
Widgets are now fully optimized with their own home. While Windows 10 had widgets with a news feed and weather, you could only run them one at a time. In Windows 11, widgets have their own home on the taskbar. You can use preselected widgets, customize them, add and remove and change their size.
Windows 11 features new and improved integration with Teams and Chat – you can now share windows and toggle mute directly from the taskbar.
There’s a new Action Centre that separates Quick Settings, Notifications and a music controller into distinct sections and there’s more control over your updates.
Last but not least, because Windows 11 is more efficient, your battery should last longer.
If you’re interested in learning more about Windows 11, need to update your OS, or just have questions, contact us at 416-363-9880 or contact us – we’re here to help.
