Windows 11, Why or Why Not?

⚠  Although the information in this kit remains accurate and provides background on Windows 11, it was written when Windows 11 was first released and Windows 10 still had significant time remaining in its support life cycle. With the end of support for Windows 10 rapidly approaching, the Kit: Optimizing for Windows as a Service is timelier and more actionable.

Kit Overview

With Windows 10 leaving support in Oct. 2025, organizations need to plan how to migrate from Windows 10 to Windows 11. The migration is complicated by new hardware requirements and Microsoft’s continued inability to keep Feature and Quality Updates separate and to deliver features once a year, per its original promise.

When Microsoft was committing to only one Feature Update per year, Directions anticipated a smooth migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

Given Microsoft cannot discipline the release of updates so that Quality Updates do not contain features or experience changes, most organization will want to update