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Planning the Transition: Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 in Enterprise Environments

Windows 10 Laptop needs Upgrade 🚀

Planning the Transition: Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 in Enterprise Environments

The upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 offers enterprise businesses exciting opportunities to enhance productivity, security, and the overall user experience. However, this transition requires thoughtful planning, especially when deploying at scale across varied environments. Let’s explore how enterprises can prepare for a seamless upgrade, considering scenarios like using Microsoft Intune, MECM, or focusing solely on the end-user perspective.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Windows 10 will be supported until October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide technical support or security updates for Windows 10. (You can join ESU Program for Windows 10 if necessary)

Understanding the Upgrade Landscape

Before diving into deployment strategies, enterprises should consider:

  • System Requirements: Ensure devices meet Windows 11 hardware requirements. Tools like the PC Health Check app can help.
  • Application Compatibility: Use Microsoft’s App Assure to verify that critical business applications work smoothly.
  • Infrastructure Readiness: Decide whether your deployment will be managed through on-premises infrastructure, cloud-based management, or a hybrid approach.

Scenario 1: Deployment Using Microsoft Intune

Microsoft Intune is an excellent choice for organizations embracing a modern, cloud-first management approach. It simplifies remote deployment and is particularly well-suited for enterprises with hybrid or remote workforces.

Steps to Deploy with Intune:

  1. Prepare Devices: Ensure all devices are enrolled in Intune and compliant with Azure AD.
  2. Set Up Deployment Policies: Use Intune to create a feature update deployment policy that targets eligible devices.
  3. End-User Impact: Notify employees about the upgrade. With Intune, upgrades are minimally disruptive, allowing installations to occur outside work hours.
  4. Monitoring Progress: Use the Intune admin center to track the deployment and address any failed upgrades.

Best Use Case: Organizations prioritizing remote or hybrid work scenarios, or those aiming to reduce reliance on on-premises infrastructure.

Scenario 2: Deployment Using MECM (Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager)

MECM provides robust control for enterprises with significant on-premises infrastructure. It’s ideal for managing complex upgrade scenarios, like retaining user profiles and configurations during deployment.

Steps to Deploy with MECM:

  1. Assess Readiness: Use MECM to run hardware inventory reports and verify device eligibility.
  2. Prepare the Upgrade Package: Download Windows 11 media and create a task sequence in MECM for an in-place upgrade.
  3. Deployment Strategy: Schedule phased rollouts, starting with a pilot group before scaling across the organization.
  4. Monitoring Progress: Leverage MECM’s detailed reporting tools to ensure smooth execution and troubleshoot issues.

Best Use Case: Enterprises requiring greater control over deployment tasks or operating primarily within an on-premises environment.

Scenario 3: Focusing on the End-User Experience

For some organizations, the primary focus of the upgrade is minimizing disruptions for end users and ensuring a seamless experience during and after the transition.

Key Considerations for End Users:

  1. Communication: Inform employees about what to expect, including changes in interface and new features in Windows 11.
  2. Training & Support: Offer training sessions or documentation to familiarize users with Windows 11’s productivity enhancements, Microsoft Learn is a great Learning platform for Windows 11 Training
  3. Feedback Mechanism: Provide a channel for users to report issues or seek support during the rollout.

Best Use Case: Any enterprise prioritizing user satisfaction and productivity during the upgrade.

Recommendations for a Smooth Transition

  • Pilot Testing: Start with a small group of users to test the upgrade process and gather insights.
  • Backup Strategy: Ensure critical data is backed up before proceeding with mass deployments.
  • Define Success Metrics: Monitor upgrade success rates, user satisfaction, and system performance post-upgrade.

Whether you’re leveraging Intune, MECM, or focusing on empowering end users, careful planning and clear communication are the keys to success. With the right approach, your organization can unlock the full potential of Windows 11 while keeping disruptions to a minimum.

Ready to take the first step? Let the upgrade journey begin! 🚀

Here you find more information from Microsoft about Planning for Windows 11

Here you find Microsoft Intune Documentation

Here you find Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Managers Documentation (MECM)

Have a look at Microsoft Copilot + PC to be ready for AI in your Business


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Installing Biometric Fingerprint for Windows Login #WIMVP #Security #Windows #WindowsHello

Windows Hello Fingerprint

Biometric tokenization is the process of substituting a stored biometric template with a non-sensitive equivalent, called a token, that lacks extrinsic or exploitable meaning or value. The process combines the biometrics with public-key cryptography to enable the use of a stored biometric template (e.g., fingerprint image on a mobile or desktop device) for secure or strong authentication to applications or other systems without presenting the template in its original, replicable form.

I still had an old laptop with Windows 10 Insider preview Build but with a Fingerprint Sensor, and logging into Windows is more secure with Windows Hello Fingerprint then using a password only.
In the following steps you will see how easy it is to install Windows Hello Fingerprint when you have a fingerprint sensor :

  1. Select Start  > Settings  > Accounts  > Sign-in options.
  2. Under Manage how you sign in to your device, you’ll see three choices to sign in with Windows Hello:
    • Select Windows Hello Face to set up facial recognition sign-in with your PC’s infrared camera or an external infrared camera.
    • Select Windows Hello Fingerprint to set up sign-in with a fingerprint reader.
    • Select Windows Hello PIN to set up sign-in with a PIN.

I already had a PIN installed, so I installed WindowsHello Fingerprint.

Windows Hello Setup.
Swipe your finger on the Fingerprint sensor.

Swipe again

Swipe again until it’s good.

Windows Hello Fingerprint is installed.

Login screen to sign in with Windows Hello Fingerprint.

Here is my Old laptop with Windows Hello fingerprint Sensor.

New Laptops with Windows 10/11 can use Windows Hello Face Authentication for login.

You can also buy a YubiKey Bio Series – FIDO Edition for biometric Authentication / Login for Windows.

Conclusion

In simple steps you can make your Authentication on your Windows device more secure with Windows Hello Fingerprint and Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) with a token like Yubikey. For security is passwordless better then typing your credentials and with
Biometric Authentication it’s much safer to login on Windows. So lot of choices, but my old laptop is more secure with Windows Hello Fingerprint Authentication 🙂

Security First and by Design


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Being a Windows Insider is Awesome ! #Windows10 #WIMVP #WindowsInsiders

Windows Insiders Build 20246

Windows Insider Program

I Love being the first to see what’s next for Windows in the Windows Insider Program. For me It’s a way of Life to support Microsoft by giving feedback, suggestions and ideas for Windows 10 New innovations and improvements. I feel I’m building together with the Microsoft Product Team and Community to make a better product every week. It’s awesome too see that Microsoft is solving your feedback issue or your idea is coming in the next Windows Insider Build Release 🙂 I’m a Windows Insider MVP but also a Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP for the Community sharing New Microsoft Technologies.
You can join the Microsoft Windows Insider Program too and work with the newest Windows Insider Preview Builds of Microsoft.

Windows Insider Feedback Hub

Windows Insider Program

When you joined the Windows Insider program, you only have to activate the right Windows Insider Channel in your Windows10 Operating system. Go to Settings and Click on Windows Insider Program.

Windows Insider Program

First you login with your Windows Insiders Registration email address to get connection with the Windows Insiders Preview Build version. Then you have to select in which Windows Insiders Channel you want :

Here you see the Windows Insiders Channels.

I’m using all the Channels on different Machines as a MVP

When you select your Windows Insiders Channel, then you go to Windows Updates and get the latest Windows Insiders Preview Build of your Channel to download and Install.

Downloading Windows Insider Preview Build 20251 in the Dev Channel.

After downloading, rebooting, installing the new Windows Insiders Preview Build, you can test Windows 10 with the newest features of Microsoft and give your feedback and ideas in the Feedback Hub on your Machine.
Here you find the Microsoft Windows Insider Blogpost about this Preview Build 20251

Here you find all the Windows Insiders Preview Blogposts

When you found a new Issue in Windows Insider Preview Build or you want to give your idea to Microsoft, open the Windows Insiders Feedback Hub on your local machine here:

Click here on Give Feedback.

Summarize your feedback and Explain in more details

Select at Category if it’s a problem or Suggestion
and the category recommendations.
Click on Next

Find Similar Feedback Click Next

Add More Details.

For the Microsoft Windows Insider Engineers It’s important to get Screenshots and the data. Start recording and show Microsoft your issue in this Windows Insider Preview Build. Save the recordings ! and Send your feedback to Microsoft.

You can support Microsoft by giving feedback when something is fixed for you.

Here I report that the File Explorer issue is solved in Build 20251.

In the Feedback Hub you find more like Quests, Achievements, and Announcements from Microsoft Windows Insider Program.

Windows Insider Achievements

For the work you do free because you like to test the newest Microsoft Windows features, you can earn Microsoft Badges.

Microsoft Windows Insider Quests

With Microsoft Windows Insider Quests, Microsoft ask you to test new features and give your feedback about it.
They explain the feature and the steps so you can try it yourself. I love these quests, because then you learn about the new features and innovation you try out.

here you see the Microsoft Windows Insider Announcements to keep you Up-to-Date

Windows Insider Community

Being a Windows Insider in the Community is Awesome, you make friends on social media who share the same technology interest, asking questions and keep each other posted on new updates. Microsoft Windows Insiders program is really active on Twitter with handler @windowsinsider 

We use Hashtag’s : #WindowsInsiders #WIMVP #Windows10

 

#WIMVPBenelux every week in Teams is FUN 

 @aavdberg

@ErikMoreau
Follow the Microsoft Windows Insider Team :
Who to Follow on Twitter:

Jen Gentleman : @JenMsft
Amanda Langowski : @amanda_lango
Jason Howard : @NorthFaceHiker
Eddie Leonard : @DJ_EddieL
Brandon LeBlanc : @brandonleblanc

Conclusion

When you like to work with the Newest Microsoft Windows Insider Preview Build versions to test and explore New innovated features in Windows 10 or Windows Server, then JOIN the Windows Insider Program.
I really like this program and being connected with Microsoft Product Group, giving feedback and working Together with the Community to make a better product every time. For me It’s a way of life, It’s a Great Hobby for me but also my Work 😉
Have Fun with the Windows Insider Program, and Learn on the Job !

 


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#Microsoft Windows Admin Center and Azure Backup Management #WAC #Azure

Microsoft Windows Admin Center

Microsoft Windows Admin Center is a web based App working in your modern browser like Edge or Chrome to manage your datacenter infrastructure. You can download it here
You can manage Windows Servers, Windows10 Desktops, Clusters, Hyperconverged Clusters, Storage Spaces Direct and more in a Hybrid environment and that’s what I like.
My Servers can be on-premises or in the Cloud like Azure and will manage them with Windows Admin Center.

Download the Windows Admin Center Overview Poster

Here you find all the Microsoft documentation about Windows Admin Center

Windows Admin Center and Azure backup integration

 

When you have Windows Admin Center running you can register with Microsoft Azure first in the settings of Windows Admin Center.

Register to your Azure Subscription, just follow the instructions.

Install Azure Backup Extension at Available extensions.

From here the basic settings are done and we will have a look at my MVP LAB to backup a virtual Server.

Windows Admin Center in Domain MVPLAB.CLOUD

I have selected stormtrooper01.mvplab.cloud Windows Server 2019 and on the left Azure Backup.

You can read here more about Microsoft Azure Backup

Click on setup Azure Backup.

Here you select the Azure Subscription and the Backup Vault
and this will be a system state backup.

Next Step is Backup Schedule and Encryption key.

IMPORTANT: Keep this Encryption key somewhere save !
You need this key for recovery and Microsoft does not have access to that key.

Azure Backup Schedule settings.

When you apply here it will setup the Azure backup agent and your policies.

Backup is scheduled.

Here I did the Backup by hand.

Here you see the backup in the Azure Backup Vault.
Backup done via Windows Admin Center 😉

Here you see a video from Microsoft Mechanics at Ignite with Jeff Woolsey

Follow Windows Admin Center here on Twitter

Don’t forget to give feedback or great ideas !


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Windows Insiders – WSL 2 – Windows Terminal #WIMVP #WindowsInsiders #Kali #Azure

Windows Insiders Preview Build 19613

If you like to test the new features of Windows 10 and give feedback to the Microsoft product team, then the Windows Insiders Program is the place to Join. Here you can become a Windows Insider

I’m a Windows Insider since 2014 and a Windows Insider MVP since July 2019 and I love the collaboration with the Community and with the Microsoft Product Team to make a better product like Windows 10 together.

On my windows Insiders Build version 19613, I like to have my tools and Apps installed like :

I’m in the Microsoft Windows Insiders FAST Ring, and I want to test everything like Windows 10 operating system but my Tools must also be working on every new Windows Insiders Build.

Installing WSL 2 and Windows Terminal on Windows Insider Build version

Open Powerhell in Administrator modus

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows–Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

When both dism commands are successfully completed, you have to restart your machine.

wsl –set-default-version 2

Now you have set WSL 2 version in the basic, but you have to install a Linux distro where you can find
here in the Microsoft Store

I installed Kali Linux distro from the Microsoft Store.

Enter a New User name and password.

Kali Linux distro is now running on WSL 2 on my Windows Insiders Build.

One of the Cool features in Windows Insiders Build version 19613 is that you can use your File explorer for Kali Linux 😉


Linux in Windows Insider Explorer.

Exploring Kali Linux

And of course updating the Kali Linux distro with

Sudo apt-get update

And at last…….

sudo apt-get upgrade

The Next tool is Windows Terminal (Preview) from the Microsoft Store

Just Click on Get ( in the Microsoft Store)

Click on Launch

This Windows Terminal Preview version on Windows Insiders can run :

  • Command Prompt
  • Powershell
  • Kali Linux distro (WSL 2)
  • Azure CloudShell

From here I can Manage and Install Microsoft Azure Cloud Services with Cloud Shell running on my Windows Insiders Build
for testing all the new features and this goes really easy :

Click next to PowerShell in the pulldown bar on Azure Cloud Shell and copy the Code
into the next URL https://microsoft.com/devicelogin

Enter here your Code from Windows Terminal.

Done you are logged-In Azure via Windows Terminal on Windows Insiders Build.

Azure Cloud Shell in Windows Terminal 😉

Conclusion

The Windows Insiders Program is Awesome to join when you like to test the Newest features of Windows 10 but also the Tools and applications running on the newest Windows Insiders Build version are Cool. When you work with Fast ring releases and Preview versions of tools you can hit a bug, or something is not working. That’s the moment you give feedback in the Windows Insider Feedback HUB to support the Microsoft Windows Insiders Product Team to fix the Bug.

Together we are building for the future of Windows 10 !

Windows Insider Program Feedback Hub.

And as a Windows Insider you can earn Badges for your Support 😉


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20H1 Bug Bash for #WindowsInsiders #WIMVP Sept 25th – Oct 2nd 2019 #Windows10

Be sure to participate in this event by:
Ensuring your PC is running the latest Preview Build in the Fast ring.
Watching a quick video that explains the Bug Bash in more detail.
Exploring new features by completing Quests in Feedback Hub (new Quests will be released daily during the Bug Bash).
Logging actionable feedback regarding issues encountered, as well as suggestions for future improvements as you use the product.
The more Quests you complete during the Bug Bash, the more points you’ll earn towards your Achievements, including a special badge just for participating!

To join the Insider community, please visit https://insider.windows.com/en-us/.

Give your Feedback in the Hub


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#Microsoft Windows Insiders and Windows Terminal Preview #WindowsInsiders #Winserv #MVPBuzz

Microsoft Windows Insiders Program

To be the first with the Microsoft Windows Insiders Community testing all the New features is awesome to do!
I’m a Windows Insider since October 1st, 2014 and I like to see every week what’s new? In the Feedback HUB Preview you can Follow other Windows Insiders and see the Challenges and features requests. From there you can give them feedback or vote for the new features.

Windows Insiders Feed Back HUB

To become a Microsoft Windows Insider, you have to register your self here : BECOME AN INSIDER

In the Windows Insiders HUB you find also the New announcements of the Preview Build versions. Microsoft Windows Insiders also have a blogsite here to follow:

Windows Insiders Blogpost site

When you are active in the Microsoft Windows Insiders Community you can Earn badges and Learn a lot of the New Features Microsoft releases every week. This gives you always a step a head and It’s fun 🚀😎👍

Earning Badges

It’s not only the Windows 10 Insiders program but also Windows Server Insiders or Microsoft Edge Insiders
Here you find more information :

Windows Server Insider Program

Microsoft Edge Insider Program

And of course keep up-to-date via Social Media here:

@windowsinsider

@donasarkar

@JenMsft

@MSEdgeDev

@windowsserver

Which recent Features do I like in Microsoft Windows Insiders Preview Build?

Well Let start Right a way with the Dark Side Theme in Windows Insiders 😎👍🚀

Much better for my eyes 😍

One of the latest new Features in Windows Insider Preview Build 18922 is Windows Terminal Preview from the Marketplace.

Click on Get

Just Click on Launch

It’s in really early Preview with version 0.2.1715.0

Windows Terminal Preview

Here begins the cool 😎 part with Settings opening profiles.json file to edit :

JSON Settings of Windows Terminal Preview

Here I Changed the JSON file for my Ubuntu Linux Terminal with a Great New Background.

You Have to add these lines in the JSON file here:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_8wekyb3d8bbwe\RoamingState

Under “Icon” :

“backgroundImage” : “ms-appdata:///roaming/yourimage.jpg”,
“backgroundImageOpacity” : 0.75,
“backgroundImageStrechMode” : “fill”,

Save Profiles.json and you will see that the background will be Awesome in Ubuntu Terminal :

How Awesome is this !! 😎🚀👍

Conclusion:

I Love my Hobby and my Hobby is my Work !
The Microsoft Windows Insiders Program is Awesome together with the Community to make Windows a Great product for everyone.


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#Microsoft Introduction to Windows Admin Center #Winserv #Windows10 #Azure #hyperv #AzureStack

Microsoft is introducing the New Windows Admin Center ( former Project Honolulu )

Last weekend I made my MVPLAB.LOCAL domain with Project Honolulu version 1803 and Windows Server Insider version.

I Made my Domain controller first and later a Cluster with the Windows Server Insider Build version 17639

With Microsoft Windows Admin Center it’s great to manage Windows Server Core version Servers, you got a great GUI interface and you still have a small footprint for your Server OS with Core 🙂

Windows Admin Center is a new, locally-deployed, browser-based management tool set that lets you manage your Windows Servers with no Azure or cloud dependency. Windows Admin Center gives you full control over all aspects of your server infrastructure and is particularly useful for managing servers on private networks that are not connected to the Internet.
Windows Admin Center is the modern evolution of “in-box” management tools, like Server Manager and MMC. It complements System Center and Operations Management Suite – it’s not a replacement.

Architecture

In my MVPLAB.LOCAL I was busy to make a Gateway to Azure for Hybrid Cloud Management :

But with the Microsoft announcement of Windows Admin Center version 1804 yesterday, I will Upgrade my MVPLAB 😉

Download Windows Admin Center here


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Docker CE for Windows10 Edge and #Kubernetes Feature Overview #Docker #Containers #DevOps

Docker CE for Windows is Docker designed to run on Windows 10. It is a native Windows application that provides an easy-to-use development environment for building, shipping, and running dockerized apps. Docker CE for Windows uses Windows-native Hyper-V virtualization and networking and is the fastest and most reliable way to develop Docker apps on Windows. Docker CE for Windows supports running both Linux and Windows Docker containers.

You can download Docker CE for Windows (Edge) here

After you installed Docker for Windows CE (Edge) on Windows 10, go to docker Settings for activating the New Feature Kubernetes..

Select Enable Kubernetes.
(I selected also Show system containers (Advanced ) to see more information.)

Click on Install

You can run the installation in the Background if you want.

Here you see the Status of the Kubernetes Cluster.

kubectl config get-context
Docker-for-desktop Kubernetes Cluster is active

You can see the Status in Docker Settings too.

kubectl get services

kubectl get nodes

Kubectl cluster-info

When you run docker images
You will see the Kubernetes images for the Cluster.

When you selected the Advanced feature in Docker settings earlier you can
see the running containers with Docker ps command

With Kitematic you get a GUI console to manage Docker Container Images, from here you can pull Container images from Docker HUB

Download Kitematic here and install.

 

When you installed Kitematic you can see on your left all the Kubernetes Containers and when you select a running Container you can see the active logs.

More settings to Explore.

When you start Powershell in Administrator modus, you can use the kubectl command line interface and with –help you get the information on the Kubernetes commands. Here you find more information with examples at Kubernetes site

With Microsoft Visual Studio Code you can use the Docker for Windows CE Edge Kubernetes Cluster to Develop your Apps.

Intstall the Visual Studio Code Kubernetes Tools extension.

Install Kubernetes-Snippets is handy for Developing

When your Kubernetes local project is successful, you can deploy an Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) or a Microsoft Azure Container Service to run your project in the Cloud for production.

Azure Container Service (AKS)
Azure Container Service (AKS) manages your hosted Kubernetes environment, making it quick and easy to deploy and manage containerized applications without container orchestration expertise. It also eliminates the burden of ongoing operations and maintenance by provisioning, upgrading, and scaling resources on demand, without taking your applications offline.

Here you find more information on Microsoft Azure Container Services for Kubernetes

Hope this overview helps you with developing apps in Containers with Docker, Kubernetes and Azure.


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Get Started with Windows #Analytics Update Compliance in #MSOMS #Azure #Windows10 #Winserv


Windows Analytics Update Compliance

Windows Program Manager, Sandeep Deo, demonstrates the new Update Compliance Service in Windows Analytics. Windows Analytics Update Compliance gives you a unified view of the update and anti-malware status of your Windows 10 devices regardless of your management solution. See how you can use it to keep your devices secure and up to date, track the overall protection and threat status, and monitor your updated deployments and troubleshoot issues as they arise.

If you have questions about Windows Analytics Update Compliance, check out links for more information:
http://aka.ms/WindowsAnalytics
http://aka.ms/UpdateCompliance

Configure Windows telemetry in your organization

Monitor Windows Updates and Windows Defender Antivirus with Update Compliance

 

 

Monitor the health of devices with Device Health