Migrating Windows 10 PCs to Windows 11 with Intune

Windows 11 is the latest operating system from Microsoft, and it offers several advantages over Windows 10, including increased security 1, improved performance 2, and a more modern user interface 1. If you're managing devices with Intune, migrating from Windows 10 to Windows 11 can be a straightforward process. This article provides a detailed explanation and plan for migrating Windows 10 PCs and laptops to Windows 11 using Intune, including minimum hardware specifications.

Minimum Hardware Specifications for Windows 11

Before you begin migrating your devices to Windows 11, it's essential to ensure they meet the minimum hardware requirements. These requirements ensure that Windows 11 runs smoothly and reliably on your devices. Here are the key specifications 3:

In addition to these minimum requirements, some features in Windows 11 have specific hardware requirements. For example, 5G support requires a 5G capable modem, and Auto HDR requires an HDR monitor 4.

Migrating Windows 10 PCs to Windows 11 using Intune

Careful planning is crucial for a successful migration to Windows 11. This includes selecting the appropriate Windows 11 version, ensuring firmware and drivers are up-to-date, and optimizing network performance to handle the upgrade process5.

Before you begin, ensure your organization has one of the following licenses to utilize Intune's feature update capabilities: Windows 10/11 Enterprise E3/E5, Windows 10/11 Education E3/E5, or Microsoft 365 Business Premium6. Feature updates are supported for the following Windows 10 editions: Pro, Enterprise, Education6. Ensure that the devices you want to upgrade are enrolled in Intune6. The devices must be Azure AD joined or Hybrid AD joined6. Ensure telemetry is enabled on the devices, at least set to 'Required'7. The Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant (wlidsvc) service must be running7.

Intune offers significant advantages for migrating to Windows 11. It enables automated update deployment, provides detailed device readiness insights through endpoint analytics, and allows for central management of the entire upgrade process1. Here's a detailed plan for migrating your devices:

Step 1: Assess Device Compatibility

Before initiating the upgrade process, it's crucial to assess the compatibility of your devices with Windows 11. Intune's endpoint analytics can help you identify any hardware or software incompatibilities that may prevent a successful upgrade. You can use the following reports in Intune to assess device compatibility 5:

• Application Reliability: This report helps you identify applications that may have compatibility issues with Windows 11.

• Work From Anywhere: This report provides insights into device hardware and software that may impact remote work scenarios in Windows 11.

• Windows Feature Update Compatibility Risks Report: This report identifies any compatibility risks associated with upgrading to Windows 11.

Also, check the Upgrade Experience Indicators, which are registry values created by the Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser task. These indicators provide information about the Windows 11 readiness state of your devices and any safeguard holds5.

Step 2: Prepare Devices for Upgrade

Once you've assessed device compatibility, you need to prepare your devices for the upgrade. This includes:

• Backing up data: Ensure all critical data is backed up to OneDrive or SharePoint.

• Updating drivers: Ensure all device drivers are up-to-date to avoid compatibility issues.

• Freeing up disk space: Ensure sufficient disk space is available for the upgrade (at least 20 GB for 64-bit systems).

• Disabling security software: Temporarily disable third-party antivirus and security software to prevent conflicts during the upgrade.

• Communicating with users: Inform users about the upgrade process and any potential impact on their workflow. Proactive communication is essential to manage user expectations and address potential concerns. Users may have questions about the new user interface, application compatibility, or the upgrade timeline. Providing clear and timely communication can help minimize disruption and ensure a smooth transition8.

Step 3: Create a Feature Update Policy in Intune

To upgrade to Windows 11, you'll utilize Intune's feature update policy to manage the process. This policy allows you to specify the target Windows 11 version and control the rollout of the upgrade to your devices6. Here's how to create a feature update policy:

1. Log in to the Microsoft Intune admin center.

2. Go to Devices > Windows > Feature updates for Windows 10 and later.

3. Click Create profile.

4. Specify a name for the policy and select the target Windows 11 version. When selecting the target Windows 11 version, consider the latest production version and any versions currently in testing/pilot within your organization5.

5. Choose the rollout options. You can make the update available immediately or gradually roll it out to your devices.

6. Assign the policy to a group of devices or users.

While Intune doesn't offer direct customization options for feature updates, you can use remediation scripts to control advanced settings and Win32 apps to deploy necessary drivers during the upgrade5.

Step 4: Monitor the Upgrade Process

After deploying the feature update policy, you can monitor the upgrade process in Intune. The Windows Feature Update report provides details on the upgrade status for each device. You can also use the Windows Update for Business report in Log Analytics to track the rollout progress 6.

Step 5: Post-Upgrade Tasks

Once the upgrade is complete, perform the following post-upgrade tasks:

• Re-enable security software: Turn on any antivirus or security software that was disabled during the upgrade.

• Check for updates: Run Windows Update to ensure all the latest updates and patches are installed.

• Verify applications: Ensure all applications are functioning correctly and update them if necessary.

• Restore data: If necessary, restore any backed-up data.

• Check system settings: Verify system settings and configurations to ensure they are as expected.

Potential Issues and Best Practices

While migrating to Windows 11 using Intune is generally a smooth process, some potential issues may arise. Here are some common issues and best practices to address them:

• Application compatibility: Some applications may not be compatible with Windows 11. Test your line-of-business applications before upgrading to ensure they work as expected1.

• Driver issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause problems after the upgrade. Ensure all drivers are up-to-date before upgrading and check for updated drivers after the upgrade5.

• Network bandwidth: Downloading the Windows 11 upgrade and subsequent updates can consume significant network bandwidth. Configure Delivery Optimization settings to minimize network impact. Consider using Download Mode 2 (group mode) with a unique Group ID for your office network. Configure peer selection to DNS-SD to enable sharing of all downloaded files. You can also set up local cache servers using Microsoft Connected Cache for Enterprise and Education5.

• User experience: The Windows 11 user interface has some changes compared to Windows 10. Communicate these changes to users in advance to minimize disruption8.

To ensure a successful migration, consider the following best practices:

• Pilot the upgrade: Start by upgrading a small group of devices to identify and address any potential issues before rolling out the upgrade to the entire organization7.

• Use update rings: Use update rings in Intune to control the pace of the rollout and ensure devices are upgraded in a phased manner9.

• Keep devices enrolled in Intune: Ensure all devices are enrolled in Intune to maintain central management and control over the upgrade process6.

• Monitor the upgrade process closely: Use Intune's reporting features to track the upgrade progress and identify any issues that may require attention6.

Conclusion

Migrating Windows 10 PCs and laptops to Windows 11 using Intune offers a streamlined and efficient approach to upgrading your organization's devices. By leveraging Intune's capabilities, you can automate the deployment, assess device readiness, and manage the entire process centrally. Remember to plan carefully, communicate proactively with users, and monitor the upgrade closely to ensure a smooth and successful transition to the enhanced security, performance, and user experience of Windows 11.

Works cited

1. Upgrading Devices From to Windows 10 to Windows 11 Using Intune - Mobile Mentor, accessed on January 30, 2025, https://www.mobile-mentor.com/insights/upgrading-devices-from-to-windows-10-to-windows-11-using-intune/

2. How to Upgrade Windows 10 Devices to Windows 11 with Intune - Recast Software, accessed on January 30, 2025, https://www.recastsoftware.com/resources/how-to-upgrade-windows-10-devices-to-windows-11-with-intune/

3. Windows 11 System Requirements - Microsoft Support, accessed on January 30, 2025, https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-system-requirements-86c11283-ea52-4782-9efd-7674389a7ba3

4. Windows 11 requirements | Microsoft Learn, accessed on January 30, 2025, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/windows-11-requirements

5. Highlights from Upgrading to Windows 11 using Microsoft Intune - Tips and Tricks, accessed on January 30, 2025, https://www.deploymentresearch.com/highlights-from-upgrading-to-windows-11-using-microsoft-intune-tips-and-tricks/

6. How to upgrade to Windows 11 with Intune - System Center Dudes, accessed on January 30, 2025, https://www.systemcenterdudes.com/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-11-with-intune/

7. Deploying Windows 11 with Intune - Microsoft Q&A, accessed on January 30, 2025, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/762796/deploying-windows-11-with-intune

8. Upgrade from Win10 to Win11 : r/Intune - Reddit, accessed on January 30, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Intune/comments/17607gm/upgrade_from_win10_to_win11/

9. Intune Windows update rings - Update windows 11 why all capable devices cant upgrade to windows 11 - Microsoft Learn, accessed on January 30, 2025, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1511301/intune-windows-update-rings-update-windows-11-why