What enterprises need to be Windows 11 ready

With the deadline approaching for Windows 11 migration many enterprises will have a long checklist of areas to cover, so it’s critical they prepare in advance to avoid any potential disruptions.

The first version of Windows 11 was released in 2021 Microsoft has been encouraging consumers and enterprises alike to adopt the operating system ever since. It has met with little success, however.

Statistics show the growth of Windows 11 has been sluggish, with figures from Statcounter placing the operating system’s global desktop market share at 38.13% as of February 2025.

While this marks an increase compared to the same period in the year prior, its predecessor, Windows 10, still remains more popular overall. That could all change later this year, however.

When will Windows 10 support end?

Microsoft announced in 2024 that Windows 10 Home and Pro editions will reach the end-of-life (EOL) on 14 October, 2025, almost four years to the day since its initial release.

After this date users can continue to run their computers on Windows 10 if they wish, but it will be at their own risk; they won’t receive free security updates, new features, or technical assistance if they encounter issues with the operating system.

Some organizations can choose to pay for additional updates and support, but Microsoft has set a strict three-year deadline until the operating system is fully unsupported.

While some businesses will undoubtedly need this extension, for others it will simply be a costly way of postponing the inevitable.

Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) option could see business pay $61 for the first year of updates, followed by £122 for the second year, and $244 for the third and final year of support.

It’s fairly common knowledge nowadays that working with an outdated operating system is a security risk. At the time of Windows XP’s demise some 13 years after its launch, the European Cyber Crime Centre said: “People have to realise that if they connect to the internet with a Windows XP machine after 8 April, they will become easy targets for hackers. This goes for individuals as well as for companies and government services.”

That statement is just as true now with Windows 10 as it was with the venerable XP.

Making the switch to Windows 11 is no easy task, however. In fact, research from last year highlighted an array of concerns voiced by enterprise IT leaders over the new operating system.

Analysis from ControlUp highlighted a pervasive trend of anxiety over migration projects, due to a combination of factors such cost and challenges faced when migrating from Windows 8 to Windows 10.

With this in mind, it’s critical that IT leaders put in the groundwork now to ensure a seamless transition.

Making the switch to Windows 11 – getting started

First and foremost, enterprises must establish that current devices meet the standards imposed by Windows 11. This was a key issue highlighted in the ControlUp study last year.

The operating system requires a 64-bit CPU, a Trust Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip, and ‘secure boot’ features – something many older devices simply don’t have.

ControlUp’s study found that around 11% of devices will need to be replaced to meet these requirements as a result, which will come with a significant cost.

Luckily, Microsoft’s own guidance on migration best practices offers enterprise IT leaders a general steer on where to start and how to ensure a seamless transition.

“As a first step, determine which of your current devices meet the Windows 11 hardware requirements,” the company said in a recent blog post. “To ensure compatibility, verify that your device meets or exceeds Windows 11 requirements.”

Microsoft does offer tools to help businesses evaluate whether devices can meet these minimum hardware requirements, including using the PC Health Check application.

“Users running Windows 10 Enterprise and Education editions should rely on their IT administrators to let them know when they’re eligible for the upgrade,” the company added.

“Enterprise organizations looking to evaluate device readiness in their environments can expect this capability to be integrated into existing Microsoft tools, such as Endpoint analytics.”

High-performance hardware matters

With such a strong emphasis placed on hardware capabilities by Microsoft, it’s crucial that enterprises opt for a provider that offers best-in-class capabilities with regard to CPU performance.

A host of major manufacturers are now pivoting to offer processors optimized for Windows 11 capability and maximize performance. This includes AMD, whose array of processors, including the EPYC and Ryzen series, are catered primarily toward improving device performance when running the new OS.

Microsoft has an extensive list of approved AMD processors for Windows 11, allowing enterprises to both identify if devices meet eligibility requirements and steer potential purchasing decisions in the event of a device refresh.

Windows 11 in the age of the AI PC

AI PCs have rapidly emerged to become a key focus for Microsoft and, with the transition to Windows 11, this will grow in importance for the company. Again, this is a key consideration for enterprises looking to future-proof their IT estate.

These AI-powered devices have huge potential in terms of unlocking workforce productivity by supercharging what would otherwise be a typical workplace device.

Notably, many enterprise device refresh cycles will coincide with the migration to Windows 11 this year, meaning that the volume of AI PC purchases is expected to increase.

In a survey conducted by IDC, around eight-in-ten IT decision-makers said they plan to invest in these AI-powered devices this year, and the consultancy predicts that global commercial AI PC shipments will represent 93.9% of the market by 2028.

With this in mind, opting for devices with high-performance hardware will be critical to maximizing these investments.

AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors, for example, represent an opportunity for enterprises to tackle two key considerations at once. These processors are designed specifically for use on Copilot+ PCs running on Windows 11.

The Ryzen AI 300 Series offers up to 12 high-performance cores, providing workers with transformative capabilities to drive productivity, streamline efficiency, and ultimately deliver return on investment for enterprises.

With the end of Windows 10 approaching and the growth of AI features in day-to-day work, there’s no time like the present to ensure any devices still running the old OS are updated or upgraded before the 14 October deadline.