Why your business shouldn’t wait to switch to Windows 11

    Steve Robinson – Product Specialist at Datacom

Competing business priorities and tight budgets make it easy to defer tasks like upgrading to the latest Windows operating system, but there are some good reasons not to delay the switch to Windows 11. 

Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will reach “end of support” on October 14, 2025 – which means from this date on Microsoft will no longer provide ongoing security updates or technical support for that operating system (OS).  
 
There will be an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program available for organisations that have not migrated before the October deadline, but this is a paid programme and will only cover ‘Critical and important security updates’ – ESU updates do not include new features, design or customer-requested product updates.

Organisations also need to think about device compatibility in preparation for making the switch to Windows 11. Unlike Windows 10, which was specifically designed to run on older hardware, Windows 11 requires relatively new hardware and is blocked as an upgrade on older PCs. Most PCs designed and sold in 2019 or later will work with Windows 11. Owners of PCs that fall short of the minimum requirements may still be able to install Windows 11, but Microsoft warns that those installations will be unsupported. See our sidebar below for more detail on device compatibility.  

While the deadline to upgrade isn’t until October 2025, there are several compelling reasons to make the switch now: 

• Supply chain and stock shortages: Since the pandemic, supply chain disruptions are more common than ever. Delaying your Windows 11 upgrade could mean facing shortages or delays in acquiring the hardware your business needs. Bear in mind that not all existing devices will be compatible with Windows 11 so hardware upgrades (new PCs) will be a reality for many businesses. This is especially critical for businesses with large fleets of devices. The longer you wait, the higher the risk. 

• Extended replacement times for large fleets: If your business relies on a substantial number of devices, the update process can take time. From planning and ordering to configuring and deploying new systems – the timeline can stretch over several months. 

•  IT resource strain: Right now, many IT teams are stretched thin, as they focus on integrating AI and other advanced technologies into their operations. With less bandwidth for managing extensive upgrades (such as the transition to Windows 11), a last-minute update could overwhelm your IT department and lead to potential errors – something you want to avoid at all costs. 

Transitioning to Windows 11 sooner rather than later means your business can start leveraging the benefits of the new OS immediately. Labelled as the most secure Windows to date, the new update has been designed to support growth and increase efficiency. 

Windows 11 takes a number of existing features that people are already using and gives them more capability, and for many users that is resulting in a measurable boost to their productivity. With this upgrade, what we are seeing is the everyday PC morph from a business tool to a business assistant. 

At Datacom, we understand that managing a large-scale update to Windows 11 can be a daunting task, but you don’t have to go it alone. 

We can handle the entire update process – from initial assessment and planning to deployment and ongoing support – to ensure that your team’s experience of switching to Windows 11 is seamless and stress-free. 

Partnering with Datacom means you can make the switch without interrupting the day-to-day operations of your business. With pre-configured devices ready and managed deployment services, the Datacom team can help safeguard your devices and keep your business running smoothly. 

Windows 11 requires relatively new hardware and is blocked as an upgrade on older PCs. Most PCs designed and sold in 2019 or later will work with Windows 11. While owners of PCs that fall short of the minimum requirements may still be able to install Windows 11, those installations will be unsupported. 
 
The published system requirements for Windows 11 are as follows: 

• Processor: 1GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC) 
• RAM: at least 4GB 
• Storage: at least 64GB of available storage 
• Security: TPM version 2.0, UEFI firmware, Secure Boot capable 
• Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver 
• Display: High definition (720p) display, 9" or greater monitor, 8-bits per color channel 

To check for Windows 11 compatibility, download and run the PC Health Check app, which will identify specific compatibility issues that prevent an upgrade. Older hardware is less likely to pass Windows 11's stringent compatibility checks; for example, most Intel 7th Generation Core processors are not on the list of compatible CPUs, nor are PCs built using AMD Zen 1 processors. PCs built in 2016 or earlier are almost certain to be unsupported. 

If you need help with your migration to Windows 11, get in touch with our team.