Your no-nonsense guide to manage Windows 10 migrations

Windows 10 was a course correction of sorts for Microsoft, who alienated much of their user base thanks to the hugely divisive Windows 8. However, the tech giant got its groove back with Windows 10, as was evident from the fact that almost 350 million consumers upgraded to the new OS in its first year. Businesses that haven’t made the migration to Windows 10 are thinking of doing so and with good reason – Windows 7, the last “good” OS, will no longer receive any support from Microsoft after 2019. This is why companies are contemplating making the move earlier to gain advantages in terms of device support, security, as well as advanced features.

A necessary change

You might be wondering whether the upgrade to Windows 10 is all that essential. The answer is yes. Migrating to Windows 10 allows for better management and enables businesses to provide a consistent user experience throughout the corporate fleet. Employees get the chance to move effortlessly between fixed and mobile environment, while corporations benefit from the enhanced productivity.

Windows 10 Migrations

The migration to the Windows 10 platform will – hopefully – be the final corporate laptop and desktop migration. This is because the consumer-like features of the Windows 10 give users the opportunity to upgrade as per their requirements, instead of waiting around for a fresh corporate image that can sometimes be delivered only via a new PC. This kind of upgrade signals a change from the traditional managed image to a more consumer-centric approach – one that can easily be managed by the users themselves. While it is likely to have a lightweight management for application deployment in some instances, in the long run it will provide end users with a lot more options, including the choice between using a single laptop/tablet or corporate device, or even a smartphone.

Things to consider before the migration process

Windows 10 Migrations

There’s no doubt that migration to Windows 10 brings with it numerous benefits. However, like any mass upgrade, there are certain issues that IT managers need to consider before they can implement the Windows 10 migration. Most of these issues center on the subject of security, especially the safety and security of customer and corporate information. This is due to the fact that data protection has become a highly public topic owing to the recent digital attacks.

The fact that consumers enjoy free upgrades coupled with the rise of mobile devices in the workplace also means that there is a very real danger of businesses lagging behind their workforce in matters of adoption. This could actually worsen the ongoing security and privacy issues that make Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) practices such a problematic step for an organization.

Windows 10 Migrations

There are other challenges that companies need to overcome as well when it comes to Windows 10 migration, such as the maintenance of user profiles that are not only time-consuming to re-create but also monitor any possible issues with the user experience and user-authored data. Plus, the question of whether the operating system is ready to handle the enterprise itself still remains. This is owing to the fact that Windows 10 is still undergoing a process of evolution due to the updates and improvement releases that Microsoft is sending the way of users, and it might not be a wise decision on the part of businesses to rush into an upgrade until they are completely certain that it is the right choice for them.

When the time is finally here for a company to upgrade to Windows 10, they need to make sure they have prepared for all eventualities; it would be a mistake to leave anything in a vulnerable position. This is the reason why adequate planning as well as backup protocols are indispensable, and are essential for any company, irrespective of the experience or skill level of the people in charge.

Starting the migration process

Windows 10 Migrations

As soon as the organization takes the decision to proceed with the upgrade to Windows 10, there are a couple of things that need to be done so that the company is prepped to handle the migration. One thing the business needs to realize is that this is a mass software update, and so everything should proceed according to plan; one tiny problem could turn into a systemwide issue later on. Thus, everything possible needs to be done to mitigate the chances of any potential issues taking place within the company in the long run.

There are three main areas that businesses must take care of if they wish to be properly prepared for the Windows 10 migration:

  • The first thing that the company needs to do is audit all the apps by removing those that are not used on a regular basis and are simply taking up your system space.
  • Next, you need to rationalize and then virtualize all the remaining apps, allowing businesses to rid themselves of the hassle of licensing fees.
  • Last but not the least, the company needs to update and refresh their IT policy so that BYOD is allowed, and the integration capabilities across devices are used to their fullest potential.

It is important to ensure that these three steps are taken care of properly without any rush. According to analysts, any business that wants to migrate to Windows 10 must plan a migration project that extends between 12 to 18 months. While this might seem like a lot of time, enterprises, especially the large ones, often underestimate the importance of the process.

This is because migration is not a simple process; there are a lot of things to consider. Some of the important aspects to consider include web applications, software applications, personalized settings, and user data. And different tools need to be readied for the process to actually happen.

You only get one shot at a clean Windows 10 migration, so the business should make sure that everything is in order before they proceed with the process.

Windows 10 offers the promise of greater flexibility, more productivity, as well as a lower total cost of ownership. Windows 10 migration is a way for modern enterprises to trigger changes in the business structure, increase the amount of information available to employees, and offer greater flexibility at work. So, it is important that companies get the migration process, and for that reason, this guide can help them achieve the same in an effective manner.

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