5 Essential Questions to Answer for a Smooth Windows 10 Migration

What you need to know about moving to Windows 10.

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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.

Migrating to Microsoft Windows 10 is a complex process, but careful planning and tool selection will ensure that it runs smoothly. 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 upfront work but can be more reliable in the long term. Schedule migration and hardware replacement simultaneously to save time and money. Determine which software branch to use; most devices should use the Semi-Annual Channel.

2. What items should a migration checklist include? Test all apps to ensure Windows 10 compatibility. Decide how to deal with future feature and quality updates. Finally, determine which user and OS settings to migrate. Run test migrations for targeted user groups and phase the migration across devices.

3. Which tools assist 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. Use the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit and System Center Configuration Manager to orchestrate upgrades and fresh installs.

4. What steps can be taken 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 also guarantee that data is safe. Make sure employees store data only in approved locations.

5. What updated security measures are in place in Windows 10? Application Guard and Credential Guard use virtualization-based security to protect against malicious software and domain credential attacks. Microsoft Edge is a new standards-based browser with better security than Internet Explorer. Anti-malware is included in the form of Windows Defender, and Windows Hello provides password-free biometric login support. Advanced threat protection is built in for subscribers.

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