Management

5 Common Questions When Switching to Windows 10

Campus IT teams can make their job easier with these five tips on how to successfully switch operating systems.

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Russell Smith is a technology consultant and trainer specializing in management and security of Microsoft server and client technologies. He is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer with more than 15 years of experience.

A campus-wide migration to Windows 10 can be daunting, but university IT teams can mitigate some of the headaches through careful planning and proper tool selection. Here are answers to common questions about migrating to the new operating system.

1. What Should Be Included in a Windows 10 Migration Plan?

Decide whether to upgrade or perform a fresh installation. Fresh installs require more work, but can be more reliable in the long term. Schedule migration and hardware replacement simultaneously to save time and money. Most devices should use the Semi-Annual Channel software branch.

2. What Should Be on a Migration Checklist?

Test all apps for compatibility. Decide how to deal with future feature and quality updates and which user and OS settings to migrate. Run test migrations for targeted groups and phase the migration across devices.

3. What Tools and Assistants Help with Windows 10 Migration?

Upgrade Readiness in the Azure Operations Management Suite determines if hardware will work. The User State Migration Tool (USMT) saves and reinstates user settings after a fresh install; the Application Compatibility Toolkit tests app compatibility.

4. What Updated Security Measures Are in Place in Windows 10?

Application and Credential Guard use virtualization-based security to protect against malware and attacks. Microsoft Edge is a new standards-based browser with better security than Internet Explorer.

5. What Can Be Done to Avoid Data Loss During Migration?

Use the USMT data store to temporarily hold user data and settings. Group Policy folder redirection and OneDrive for Business Known Folder Migration can guarantee safety. Store data only in approved locations.