Inquiry on Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for Our Organization

Shashank K 20 Reputation points
2025-11-11T08:06:08.9933333+00:00

We are currently using Windows 10 across our organization and would like to understand the process for upgrading to Windows 11. Kindly provide details on:

The recommended upgrade procedure for enterprise or organizational environments.

Whether any new licenses are required for Windows 11, and if so, please share the applicable licensing options and associated costs.

Any additional upgrades, system requirements, or compatibility considerations we should be aware of before proceeding.

Your guidance on best practices and any official documentation or support resources related to this upgrade would be highly appreciated.

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Devices and deployment | Set up, install, or upgrade
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  1. Hailey Huong Bui 2,135 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-11-11T09:19:09.8+00:00

    Dear Shashank K

    I’m happy to provide some guidance on this process.

    For enterprise environments, the recommended approach is to use Windows Update for Business or Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune) to manage and deploy upgrades across your organization. These tools allow you to validate compatibility, schedule deployments, and ensure minimal disruption to end users.

    In terms of licensing, if your organization already holds valid Windows 10 Enterprise or Pro licenses under Microsoft 365 or Volume Licensing agreements, you are generally entitled to upgrade to Windows 11 at no additional cost. However, it’s best to confirm this with your Microsoft licensing representative to ensure alignment with your specific agreement.

    Before proceeding, please review the Windows 11 system requirements, such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. I recommend running the PC Health Check tool or using Microsoft Endpoint Analytics to assess device readiness and compatibility.

    For best practices and step-by-step guidance, please refer to our official documentation here: https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/whats-new/windows-11-upgrade.

    I hope this information helps you plan a smooth transition to Windows 11.

    Please kindly "accept the answer" so that it could be spread further to those in need in community.

    Thank you

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2 additional answers

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  1. Q&A Assist
    2025-11-11T08:06:30.21+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    To upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 in an organizational environment, consider the following steps and information:

    1. Create a Deployment Plan: Develop a comprehensive deployment strategy that includes defining readiness criteria, evaluating infrastructure and tools, and testing applications.
    2. Determine Eligibility: Ensure that your current devices meet the Windows 11 hardware requirements. Use the PC Health Check tool to evaluate device compatibility.
    3. Deployment Tools: You can utilize existing deployment tools such as Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Microsoft Configuration Manager to manage the upgrade process. Sync the Windows 11 product category to offer the upgrade to eligible devices.
    4. Post-Upgrade Setup: After upgrading, run Windows Update to install the latest patches, verify account settings, and customize Windows 11 settings as needed.

    Licensing Requirements

    • Windows 11 is available at no additional charge for eligible Windows 10 devices. However, organizations may need to consider licensing for new devices purchased with Windows 11 pre-installed.
    • For organizations using Windows 10 Enterprise, the upgrade to Windows 11 is included as part of the existing licensing agreement.

    System Requirements and Compatibility Considerations

    • Ensure that devices are running Windows 10 version 2004 or later to upgrade directly via Windows Update.
    • Key hardware requirements include TPM version 2.0, Secure Boot capability, and specific CPU requirements. Verify these using the PC Health Check tool.
    • Address any compatibility issues with applications and ensure that all critical software is tested against Windows 11.

    Best Practices

    • Back up important data before proceeding with the upgrade.
    • Monitor the upgrade process and gather feedback from users to address any issues promptly.
    • Utilize Microsoft's official documentation and support resources for detailed guidance on the upgrade process.

    For more detailed information, you can refer to the following resources:


    References:

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  2. Adam J. Marshall 10,456 Reputation points MVP
    2025-11-11T14:36:05.9066667+00:00

    As long as your devices meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11 as noted in the above posts, if you use WSUS in any capacity, it's as easy as approving the upgrade, sitting back, relaxing while your devices just upgrade. Follow my guide

    https://www.ajtek.ca/wsus/how-to-setup-manage-and-maintain-wsus-part-1-choosing-your-server-os/

    Part 3 explains what's required for configuration of WSUS in order to do the upgrades. Part 4 is the policies, part 5 is the linking with GPOs, part 6 is the approvals process.

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