Beginning on August 1st, 2023, new computers purchased from GreenLoop will come with Windows 11 Pro as the standard operating system. Since it was released 2 years ago, Windows 11 has proven itself to be a stable and secure upgrade from Windows 10 and there are a number of key benefits associated with this change. Those benefits include new security & feature upgrades, cost savings on new computers and faster shipping times.
Why is this change being made?
New computers that come with Windows 11 are now being sold at a lower price and with faster shipping than computers ordered with Windows 10. Offering these incentives to increase adoption of the new operating system is a decision made by computer manufacturers & Microsoft and is in line with the way it has been done in the past. Deploying Windows 11 on new computers now will allow your organization to begin transitioning to the new operating system in advance of the Windows 10 support deadline in 2025.
What is the difference?
Windows 11 includes a number of important security & feature upgrades and fortunately, its appearance and the overall ‘feel’ is similar to Windows 10. Here is an overview of the new features included with Windows 11. Here is a Windows 11 simulation that can be used to give it a ‘test drive’.
Will all of our key applications continue to work with Windows 11?
Backwards-compatibility for software was a major focus for Microsoft in developing Windows 11. The vast majority (over 99%) of applications that work with Windows 10 will continue to work with Windows 11. We expect most compatibility issues will be with hardware, especially things like older printers and scanners that may not have manufacturer drivers for Windows 11. We encourage clients to initially procure a Windows 11 pilot machine or two in order to fully test functionality ahead of time if you have any concerns about this.
Should we upgrade our existing Windows 10 computers to Windows 11?
At this time, we don’t recommend it for most organizations. While Windows 10 is still under Microsoft support, the cost of doing in-place upgrades outweighs the benefit in most cases. We recommend clients begin deploying Windows 11 to their fleet via routine lifecycle replacement at this time. As we get closer to Windows 10 end of support, we’ll work with you to evaluate the best options for getting remaining Windows 10 PCs upgraded or replaced.
Can I still order computers with Windows 10?
Yes but the price will be higher on those systems and the shipping time will be delayed by 1-2 weeks. Windows 10 availability on new computers is determined by the hardware manufacturer and will vary depending on the model.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us or contact your account manager if you have any questions or concerns.
