Does the New 22H2 Update Mean it’s Time to Deploy Windows 11 in Business?
As the Windows 11 beta has been released to the public and 22H2 released to developers, it looks like Microsoft is getting ready to ramp up Windows 11 deployment in businesses around the world. But what does this mean? What new features are being added to Windows11 that could benefit businesses? What should businesses do now if they’re waiting on Windows11? We’ll answer these questions and more as we discuss whether or not 22H2 means it’s time to deploy Windows 11 in business!
What is 22H2?
The new 22H2 update is another major update for Windows 10, and while it doesn’t add any new features, there are some significant changes that might make you want to start deploying Microsoft’s latest desktop operating system.
So what does this mean for businesses that have opted not to deploy yet? Well, if you’ve been waiting for a stable release before making the switch from 7 or 8.1 to 10, then this might be your chance. The only downside is that Microsoft has promised a 2023 end-of-life date for security updates and patches as of October 2020 – so you may want to wait until after that deadline before deploying. So what do you think? Is now the time to upgrade to Windows 11 in business? Let us know!
What Is Staged Rollout (or Branching)
Staged rollout, or branching, is a type of deployment strategy that allows for an update to be delivered gradually. This can be done by rolling out the update only to a specific group of users, such as those who work on Fridays. This can also be done by creating groups and delivering updates to some but not all of them. You might have one group that receives Version 1 while another gets Version 2. The advantage with this method is that if you find any problems during testing, you have time to fix them before delivering updates to everyone else. If no issues are found, then everybody will receive the updated software at the same time. But what if there are errors? Well, after your tests go well and you’re satisfied that everything is ready for a release, the next step is deciding how much of your organization will receive it. For example, do you want to deploy it to 10% of your people first? That way you can monitor their reactions closely so that when full deployment happens across your organization nobody is caught off-guard by anything new (if there were any bugs).
The last step would be checking in again with your IT department about deploying Windows 11 – which has been tested extensively already – because now could be the perfect time!
How to know if the updates have been deployed on my network?
The first step is to check your system for updates. To do this, you’ll open up the Settings menu and select Update & Security then click on the Check for Updates button. This will prompt a scan of your computer for any pending updates that need installing. If there are any new updates available you’ll see them listed by name and by description. You may also see an option to either download now or schedule a time when you’re not using your computer. If no new updates are available, you’re good!
If there are new updates available but they were not automatically installed, we recommend downloading and installing them as soon as possible. There may be security fixes or other improvements that Microsoft has made since they released the update originally.
What are the criteria for an organization to participate in this rollout process?
Not every organization will be eligible for this rollout process. In order to participate, you need:
- A PC with an Intel 6th generation or later processor (i.e., Skylake or newer)
- A device that has a touch screen, supports pen, or both (i.e., tablet or 2-in-1)
- Either a volume license agreement for Windows 10 Enterprise edition or a current Windows 10 Pro edition license
- The latest updates for your device’s BIOS, chipset, and firmware may also be required before upgrading to Windows 11
- Your antivirus software must have been updated within the last 120 days prior to upgrading to Windows 11
- You’ll want enough space on your device’s hard drive before you start installing Windows 11
Do you think now is the time for companies to start rolling out Microsoft’s newest operating system?
Who can I contact if I have questions about this rollout process?
When you install the newest version of Windows 10, or a build that includes new features, your PC will automatically check online for updates and notify you when one is available. You can choose to download and install the latest update right away or defer installation until a later time. This can help if you have multiple PCs with different tasks or if your organization has many PCs that have different requirements.
When a new update becomes available on April 30th, there will be two ways that users are notified: The first is through pop-ups within Settings, which will also allow you to click Not Now if there isn’t enough time for this update just now.
