BEFORE YOU MOVE TO WINDOWS 11, KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MOVING.
A successful Windows 11 refresh is more than an operating system upgrade. It starts with knowing your devices, applications, users, dependencies, and deployment constraints.
Assess Your Readiness ↓8 Critical Considerations Before Your Refresh
Treat the migration as an enterprise infrastructure program — not just a software installation. Click or tap each card for more details. Click or tap again to flip it back.
Hardware Eligibility
Inventory endpoints and validate CPU, RAM, storage, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and firmware readiness. Identify replacement devices.
Click or tap to learn more ↻Windows 11 Minimum Specs
- CPU: 1 GHz+, 2 cores, supported 64-bit processor
- RAM: 4 GB minimum
- Storage: 64 GB minimum
- Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- TPM: Version 2.0
- Graphics: DirectX 12 / WDDM 2.0
- Display: 720p, greater than 9 inches
Application Compatibility
Catalog business-critical, custom, and legacy applications. Test compatibility, drivers, dependencies, and remediation paths.
Click or tap to learn more ↻Application Readiness
- Inventory critical applications: ERP (SAP, Oracle), CRM (Salesforce), Microsoft 365, finance/payroll, and custom business systems
- Verify vendor Windows 11 support
- Test legacy and custom software
- Validate drivers and peripherals
- Check VPN and security tools
- Remediate incompatible applications
- Complete user acceptance testing
Asset Ownership & Location
Know each device's serial number, assigned user, physical location, lifecycle status, and installed software.
Click or tap to learn more ↻Asset Inventory Essentials
- Asset tag and serial number
- Device make, model, and specifications
- Assigned user and department
- Physical or remote location
- Installed software and licenses
- Warranty and lifecycle status
- Deployment and return tracking
Deployment Approach
Define pilot groups, deployment waves, rollback options, scheduling windows, and success criteria.
Click or tap to learn more ↻Deployment Planning
- Select representative pilot users
- Define deployment waves
- Identify business blackout dates
- Establish go/no-go criteria
- Test backup and rollback plans
- Monitor deployment failures
- Confirm successful installation
Security & Compliance
Review encryption, endpoint protection, identity controls, policy baselines, and regulatory requirements.
Click or tap to learn more ↻Security Requirements
- TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot
- BitLocker encryption
- Recovery-key management
- Endpoint threat protection
- Identity and access policies
- Patch and vulnerability controls
- Regulatory compliance validation
Endpoint Management
Validate device reporting, management tools, update rings, bandwidth, connectivity, and remote support.
Click or tap to learn more ↻Endpoint Readiness
- Intune / Configuration Manager
- Device enrollment and reporting
- Windows update policies
- Deployment health monitoring
- Network and bandwidth capacity
- Remote connectivity
- Post-upgrade compliance reporting
Logistics & Geography
Account for remote and international offices, shipping lead times, customs, spare stock, and old-device returns.
Click or tap to learn more ↻Hardware Logistics
- Domestic and global locations
- Hardware procurement timelines
- International shipping and customs
- Device staging and configuration
- Shipment tracking and delivery
- Old-device return coordination
- Secure disposal and data wiping
People & Support
Prepare user communications, training, service desk capacity, escalation paths, and hypercare coverage.
Click or tap to learn more ↻User Support Readiness
- Advance user communications
- Windows 11 training resources
- Help desk staffing and preparation
- Incident escalation procedures
- Executive and VIP support
- Post-deployment hypercare
- User feedback and adoption tracking
Windows 11 Readiness Checklist
Use these questions during discovery and planning. Check off items as your team validates them. Your progress updates automatically.
Discovery & Technical Readiness
Execution & Operational Readiness
From Assessment to Successful Adoption
A structured rollout reduces surprises, disruption, and untracked devices.
Discover
Baseline hardware, applications, asset data, and stakeholder needs.
Validate
Test compatibility, security, engineering fixes, and pilot scenarios.
Plan
Set scope, budget, procurement, communications, and deployment waves.
Deploy
Execute controlled waves. Monitor failures, adoption, and support demand.
Close & Optimize
Reconcile inventory, securely retire devices, and track remaining issues.
GOOD ASSET MANAGEMENT IS THE FOUNDATION.
Know what you have. Know where it is. Know what's installed. Know who owns it. Then you can build a Windows 11 refresh plan grounded in reality.
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