Windows 11 for Business: Is It Time to Upgrade?

Windows 11 is officially on the horizon, and with it comes a fresh set of expectations. Roel Decneut, Chief Marketing Officer at Lansweeper, confirms that the new OS is set to launch after more than six years since Windows 10.

Microsoft claims Windows 11 will be the most secure Windows OS yet, a promise that could provide much‑needed relief to organizations constantly battling ransomware and malware.

However, as most enterprises are still acclimating to Windows 10, a large‑scale migration can be expensive, confusing, and may not seem attractive in the short term.

New hardware requirements mean that not every device in the business can run the new system. Lansweeper research shows that over 55% of workstations are not capable of being upgraded.

There are no guarantees that legacy applications will run on Windows 11, though many will welcome the retirement of Internet Explorer.

IT teams will face significant pressure to execute a wide‑scale migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11 over the coming years.

Hardware Requirements

Rolling out a new operating system requires speed, cost‑effectiveness, and a reliable IT asset management system that can identify which machines are ready for upgrade and which are not.

Devices must run an Intel Core processor from 2017 or later, or an AMD Zen 2 processor from 2019 or newer, and have at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. Microsoft justifies these specs to address security concerns, as many existing devices simply cannot be upgraded—even some that are relatively new.

While the higher bar may protect against vulnerabilities, it also leaves a large number of devices exposed once Windows 10 support ends in 2025.

Organizations that cannot upgrade will likely continue to use Windows 10, but they will miss out on future security patches. Historical trends show that many firms defer upgrades until the last moment, which increases risk.

Studies indicate that millions of PCs still run Windows 8 or later, each presenting a potential vulnerability window. Patches are often released weeks or months before attacks occur, yet many organizations fail to apply them promptly.

Windows 11 Could Increase Electronic Waste

Early adopters may have the budgets and strategies to manage mass migrations, even if phased. However, they will still need to decide what to do with legacy PCs that fall short of the new requirements.

Annually, up to 50 million metric tonnes of e‑waste are disposed of worldwide—much of it could be reused, recycled, or repurposed. A sustainable approach starts with an accurate inventory of all networked devices.

Effective IT asset management—via agentless scanning—allows IT managers to categorize equipment by operating system, age, and hardware specs, so they can determine which devices can be upgraded or should be replaced.

Only with a complete picture of the IT estate can leaders decide whether to hold or pivot, and plan responsibly for end‑of‑life devices.

Windows 11: Stick or Switch?

Switch:

Early adopters stand to gain from Windows 11’s positioning as a hybrid‑work solution, with features like Teams integration, snap groups, and advanced security such as TPM, hardware‑based isolation, and secure boot. These tools enhance productivity and protect endpoints across home and office networks.

Stick:

Remaining on Windows 10 can be prudent in the short term, as early releases often contain bugs that need ironing out. However, with support ending in 2025, long‑term planning must eventually include migration to stay secure.

Many organizations delay upgrades for financial or operational reasons, but doing so may transform a potential threat into a reality.

The author is Roel Decneut, Chief Marketing Officer at Lansweeper.