Should You Upgrade to Windows 11 Yet? [June 2022]
Windows 11 has now been available for six months. "Should I consider updating my gadgets yet?" you've undoubtedly questioned yourself at least once.
Perhaps you're wary of new OS upgrades, particularly totally new releases. New OS builds are often problematic, and the kinks haven't been sorted out completely. Furthermore, you're debating whether the investment is worthwhile — large-scale Windows updates may be pricey in terms of both time and money. We've assisted several of our customers in doing so, so we know it's possible.
So you're debating whether to try out this new operating system.
In this piece, we will provide our opinion on this subject as of March 2022. We'll look especially at three significant aspects connected to the new Windows 11 release, namely:
Then we'll discuss who we believe should consider switching to Windows 11 now and who can continue to ride the Windows 10 train for another year or two.
*Please keep in mind that there are other aspects to consider when contemplating an upgrade, and we have not addressed all of them in this piece. Instead, we focused our study on those that we believe are important to endpoint management professionals deciding whether or not to update. We advise everyone to evaluate this article in conjunction with additional analyses they may read elsewhere, rather than limiting their judgment to the three criteria discussed in this post.
Security Features[ps2id id='Security Features' target=''/]
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Security Features[/caption]
With the rising use of cloud computing and remote work, security is more important than ever. Several high-profile data breaches have raised public awareness of the significance of cybersecurity, and it's clear to see how the COVID-driven move to remote work has shaped Windows 11, both in terms of functionality and marketing.
Microsoft claims that Windows 11 is the "most secure version of Windows ever." Windows 11 delivers "chip-to-cloud" better security to keep up with the contemporary workplace's fast expansion or remote work. "Every component of the Windows 11 technology stack, from chip to cloud, is purposely engineered to help assure ultimate security," according to Microsoft.
One noteworthy collection of characteristics is connected to hardware-based security. "We have worked with our chip and device manufacturing partners to integrate sophisticated security features across software, firmware, and hardware to ensure tight integration that safeguards from the chip to the cloud," Microsoft adds.
Are these hardware-based security measures, however, worth the expense of upgrading your devices?
When you examine these highlighted features carefully, you'll see that many of them are already available in Windows 10. TPM 1.2 and 2.0, for example, were optional in Windows 10. TPM 2.0 is now needed in Windows 11, and TPM 1.2 is no longer accessible. This improves security since the functionality is now standardized. However, unless your business has adopted SecureBIO or Auotpilot in a self-deploying mode, just standardizing a feature does not provide the type of major gain that would justify an upgrade from Windows 10 this early in the game for most teams. The same is true for other security technologies in Microsoft Office and Edge, such as VBS, HVCI, Secure Boot, and Container Isolation. Each of these features is optional in Windows 10 but is enabled by default in Windows 11. This also applies to various Cloud Security capabilities. While Endpoint Manager's interaction with Microsoft Azure AD and Modern Endpoint Management has improved, most businesses that utilize Microsoft Intune and Endpoint Manager already have access to many of its capabilities via Windows 10. All in all, Windows 11 is more secure out of the box due to the standardization of numerous security measures. However, they may not be important enough for most IT professionals to justify an update thus early in the OS's life cycle. If, on the other hand, you want to improve the "default" or "baseline" security posture, Windows 11 is a good place to start. With the rising use of cloud computing and remote work, security is more important than ever. Several high-profile data breaches have raised public awareness of the significance of cybersecurity, and it's clear to see how the COVID-driven move to remote work has shaped Windows 11, both in terms of functionality and marketing. Microsoft claims that Windows 11 is the "most secure version of Windows ever." Windows 11 delivers "chip-to-cloud" better security to keep up with the contemporary workplace's fast expansion or remote work. "Every component of the Windows 11 technology stack, from chip to cloud, is purposely engineered to help assure ultimate security," according to Microsoft. One noteworthy collection of characteristics is connected to hardware-based security. "We have worked with our chip and device manufacturing partners to integrate sophisticated security features across software, firmware, and hardware to ensure tight integration that safeguards from the chip to the cloud," Microsoft adds. Among these significant characteristics are:- Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0: A Trusted Platform Module is a firmware root-of-trust that improves system hardware security and privacy. According to Microsoft, the 2.0 version offers "significant changes" that "allow stronger crypto algorithms and the option for customers to choose preferred alternative algorithms."
- VBS handles OS kernel-based assaults by isolating a safe section of memory and preventing malware from executing code or accessing information inside this secure environment.
- HVCI (hypervisor-protected code integrity): HVCI executes Kernel Mode Code Integrity inside the secure VBS zone rather than the normal Windows Kernel. Even if drivers and other kernel-mode software are hacked, this prevents malicious kernel-mode code from being inserted.
- Pluton Security Processor Support: Provides support for a number of security-oriented processors. It enables "a flexible, upgradable platform for running firmware that implements end-to-end security capabilities written, maintained, and updated by Microsoft." Updates are sent through Windows Update rather than a third-party service.
- Support for Secured-Core PCs: Supports the Secured-Core PC series, which is supplied for high-risk businesses with enhanced security activated at the firmware layer. Memory protection, firmware protection, and Dynamic Root of Trust for Measurement are all included in these PCs (DRTM).
User Experience / User Interface[ps2id id='User Experience / User Interface' target=''/]
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User Experience / User Interface windows 11[/caption]
IT professionals must also consider user interface (UX). One of your objectives is to increase end-user productivity, while Microsoft's mission is to "empower every individual and every company on the globe to accomplish more." UX design is a component of this.
As a result, the interface in Windows 11 has been considerably modified to improve productivity and user experience. Microsoft has chosen a new UX that favors simplicity and ease of use over the Windows 10 UI.
Here are just a handful of the aspects that have been altered:
- Start Menu: Redesigned to be more focused, app-centric, and readily customizable for quick access to your favorite applications. Policies may also be used to distribute customized start menu layouts to endpoints.
- The taskbar and active applications have been significantly redesigned, programs and widgets may now be pinned, and it can be be tweaked and delivered via policies.
- Virtual desktops: Previously accessible in Windows 10, virtual desktops are now standard on the Windows 11 taskbar and may be simply installed with a single click.
- Windows File Explorer: The file explorer has been streamlined and modernized in the first big upgrade since Windows 8.
- Notification boxes
- (Windows Key +A) opens the Settings menu.
- Panel of Search Widgets (updated News feed)
- Updated functionality for Task View and Snap Assist
Is it, nevertheless, worthwhile to get an Windows 11 upgrade?
Our capacity to facilitate productivity is crucial to our roles as IT professionals. With the new Windows 11 design, Microsoft has clearly taken this role seriously, striving (in many instances successfully) to simplify and streamline operation for the end user while going about their regular chores.
These modifications may need an update for certain businesses. For companies that place a high value on their end users' ability to complete complex tasks and navigate their operating system in the shortest amount of time – such as healthcare – the improved design and ease of use may be sufficient to justify the significant investment of time and money to upgrade to Windows 11.
That being said, maybe not. Windows 10 isn't infuriating. Most end users can navigate and be productive with Windows 10, thus the user experience enhancements are a good update to the Windows OS, but not required enough to merit upgrading. Most businesses can probably afford to wait a time.
System Requirements[ps2id id='System Requirements' target=''/]
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System Requirements in windows 11[/caption]
The required hardware is more substantial for Windows 11 than Windows 10, which is another factor to consider.
| Windows 11 | Windows 10 | |
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster (>2 cores on a 64-bit processor) | 1 GHz or faster |
| RAM | 4GB | 1GB (32-bit OS) and 2GB (64-bit OS) |
| Hard Drive | 64GB or larger (Only 64 | 16GB (32-bit OS) and 32Gb (64-bit OS) |
| Graphics Card | Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver | DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver |
A Windows 11 build needs twice as much RAM as a Windows 10 version, and Windows 11 requires more than two cores on a 64-bit system. These needs are noteworthy, given that many devices struggled to fulfill even the requirements for Windows 10 when it was released. These needs will be too demanding for many lower-powered workstations, forcing firms updating not just their operating system but also the hardware to support it. This added financial burden will put this upgrading out of reach for many businesses.
So, should I make the leap?
To me, Windows 11 is just Windows 10 with a prettier skin. While it is more safe out of the box due to feature standardization, there are few really new capabilities inaccessible to a competent IT staff that cannot be enabled in Windows 10. Furthermore, the new build is resource-intensive enough to drastically raise the necessary specifications, disqualifying many endpoints unless hardware is upgraded simultaneously.
However, given the time and money often necessary for an update, we believe that most businesses should hold off before whipping out their corporate credit cards.
Furthermore, most businesses aren't at the stage in endpoint management where updating your operating system can significantly increase your security and efficiency. Why? Because installing new software isn't the most effective technique to safeguard or enhance your environment. Instead, it is skilled administration and use of the software that you have.
If you're worried about security and user experience, we believe your funding would be better spent measuring your IT maturity and improving processes rather than becoming an early adopter of a new OS. That's where you'll see major gains in your team's security, efficiency, productivity, and time and capital investment.
If your running stride is inadequate, a new pair of shoes will not keep you safe. If you have knee discomfort, instead of going to your local Foot Locker and spending $90 on "corrective" shoes, seek an experienced person to assist you modify your stride. That is where the most progress will be made, and it will almost certainly be less expensive.
Having said that, there may be a few instances when your firm should consider upgrading to Windows 11 right now. As an example:
- If you work in an industry where security and end-user productivity are critical.
- Financial institutions and government might make a convincing argument for Windows 11's standardized out-of-the-box security measures being worth the expense. Additionally, healthcare organizations that rely on their operating system to function flawlessly and as quickly as feasible may benefit from the new UX via increased end-user efficiency. Because to skilled endpoint management, your organization has a good infrastructure maturity grade.
- If you've previously optimized your operations, the advancements from Windows 11 might be the icing on the cake, boosting your security and end-user experience while maintaining your already optimized infrastructure at the top of the heap.
- If you meet the other two criteria and can afford the hardware needed for this upgrade. Many endpoints' hardware requirements will surpass their capacity to run Windows 11, and these endpoints will need to be upgraded if they are to run the new OS. However, if your firm has a hardware upgrade budget and security and end-user experience are priorities, Windows 11 may be within your grasp.
The Model Maturity Assessment
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The Model Maturity Assessment in windows 11[/caption]
If you're reading this, you're probably thinking about how to improve endpoint security and efficiency. If so, we believe that benchmarking your IT health and improving from there is one of the finest investments you can make right now.
Model Technology Solutions has together some of the greatest endpoint management engineers to assist in the assessment and improvement of infrastructures like yours. We like getting to know IT teams from all around the globe and collaborating with them to enhance the health of their infrastructure. This is what we do.
Our top-tier experts will assess the health of your infrastructure and recommend the most cost-effective solutions you may do to increase security, efficiency, and cost-cutting. Upgrading to Windows 11 may or may not be part of that. Whatever those initiatives are, you can be certain that they will be customized to your specific sector and intended to provide the most substantial returns with the fewest resources.
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