Essential Windows 11 Migration Tools for IT Admins and Desktop Teams

After the release of Windows 10, it was expected that this would be the last release. However, in 2021, the announcement of Windows 11 was made.

With the new planned release, lots of IT admins and desktop teams faced lots of challenges connected with figuring out the new risks, and some deployment questions. Determining the risks and benefits of the new OS should also be an important point for many experts.

Moving to Windows 11 will be an inevitable part of the current process, and it is crucial to figure out when to make the actual move. This process requires strategic planning and a general assessment of the infrastructure.

Once the team decided to move, it was crucial to have an arsenal of migration tools.

Planning your Windows 11 rollout

The major factor that should be understandable for all users is that the move to Windows 11 is inevitable, because the support for the current version will end in the autumn of 2025. A beneficial thing is that both regular users and IT teams still have some time for proper planning. Microsoft offers access to some resources that might be helpful for planning:

• Onboarding Kit. This is a resource where it is possible to find helpful recommendations regarding the planning of the future deployment process.
• Deployment Lab Kit. This is a free option that gives access to the lab environment that can be used for testing version 11. It contains the evaluation of the Server 2022, Windows 11 Enterprise, SQL Server, Assessment and deployment kit, and Endpoint Configuration Manager.
• Assessment and Deployment Kit and Windows PE. These utilities have been used for lots of previous versions and could also be successfully applied for version 11 as well. Just remember that the 32-bit version of these and other tools would not be appropriate for version 11.  

Simplifying the Windows 11 deployment process

For the deployment process, the WSUS and Windows update servers will be used, and this process isn’t automatic.

Your Windows 10 PC might not be ready for the update attempt, because it might not meet the current minimum requirements, and you can check all the possible details in the PC Health Check app.

There might be other possible scenarios and issues connected with the deployment process, and one more issue when using Windows update is connected to failproof. Most likely, not all the endpoints will migrate so easily. Sure, all the new machines will be with Windows 11, and other organizations will surely need to wait for the proper cycle refresh with minimal deployment issues.

Recommended tools for Windows 11 upgrade

Endpoint management tools can easily help with the move to Windows 11, and such tools are necessary for deployment as well as for dealing with data transferring, but there might be plenty of other functions. The tools can be used for setting up such enterprise environments as mobile devices, servers, IoT devices, and others.

The basic option that is available is called Microsoft Intune and Endpoint Manager, but this is not the only option.

Also, there is one more valuable feature in Windows that is called DFS, which is necessary for managing and organizing the shared files. Despite all the variability of options, DFS is still the major component of the Windows Server environment. So, let’s review its main features and their benefits:

Desktop Central by ManageEngine

Desktop Central is one of the most popular UEM tools that is recommended for the management of mobile gadgets, laptops, PCs, and other devices. With this option, it is possible to work with file transferring, OS imaging, patch management, remote control, endpoint security, and more.

The free version is suitable for SMBs, but larger corporations will surely require a professional edition of this tool. The free version will work perfectly fine only with one server and 4 workstations.

Workspace One by VMware

Workspace One has a diverse range of features, including those relating to security and management processes, including the management of various devices from one console. You may start considering this tool when the migration is complete, because it is needed for deployment as well as for some management tasks.

Solutions for Windows 11 data migration

Another moving aspect that should be properly planned relates to the data migration. A couple of years ago, a great option was Easy Transfer, but it is not available, so here are 3rd-party variants that might be helpful:

• Laplink. This option is a perfect one for migration of the cloud directories, accounts, and applications. This tool is free from the Microsoft Store, and it can be easily tested by IT professionals for easy data migration tasks. However, this free version is not ideal for app migration, where a paid variant should be used. The Enterprise option is a better choice, where the one-time fee is approximately 50 US dollars.  
• AOMEI Backupper. This is an ideal tool that can be used for recovery and backup tasks. This tool can be a perfect variant for file storage on various endpoints. With the free version, it is possible to compress images, move the application, and that also includes some level of encryption. A paid version offers access to unlimited upgrades and PXE or preboot execution environment. The license price is almost identical to the previously discussed tool.
• EaseUS. This option gives the possibility to move all the necessary data, including profiles, accounts, and apps. This might be done in various ways, such as locally, via network connection, and with the use of image files. There are free options to test everything up, but you can also get a paid one and remove all the limitations.