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WIndows 11: Preparing customers for Windows 10 EOL

Creating a clear path to Windows 11

Windows 11 upgrade is fast approaching.

The looming end-of-life (EOL) status for Windows 10 in October 2025 presents a critical opportunity for you to guide small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) through a smooth and secure transition to Windows 11.

Windows 11 now claims a dominant 54.12% market share but as of March 2025, Windows 10 is still used by ~44.42% of ANZ businesses.

Preparing your customers to transition is not just about staying current, it’s about safeguarding businesses, enhancing productivity, and ensuring a seamless user experience.

Why the transition to Windows 11 matters

The value of Windows 11 extends beyond just an operating system upgrade to bring critical improvements across security, user experience, and application compatibility.

These advancements can address key business challenges, enhance overall productivity, and future-proof your client’s IT infrastructure.

In this blog, we’ll explore why businesses must upgrade to Windows 11, the challenges they may face during the transition, and how the right solutions from vendors like Devicie, CoreView, and Contraforce can help make this transition as smooth as possible. Additionally, we’ll highlight an upcoming webinar where you can learn expert tips to support your clients in their migration.

What to expect in Windows 11

Enhanced Security Features.

The most pressing reason for businesses to upgrade to Windows 11 is security. As Windows 10 nears its end-of-support deadline, continued use will expose businesses to significant security risks. Without the support and security patches from Microsoft, businesses still on Windows 10 will become prime targets for cyberattacks.

Windows 11 introduces several advanced security features designed to help businesses better protect their data and devices. With TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) and Secure Boot, the operating system ensures a secure foundation by preventing unauthorised access and manipulation of data. Enhanced ransomware protection safeguards critical files, while Windows Hello provides passwordless biometric authentication, reducing the risk of phishing and credential theft.

Improved Productivity and User Experience.

Windows 11 is designed with productivity in mind, featuring a sleek, user-friendly interface that allows SMBs to streamline their workflows and increase efficiency. New ‘Snap Layouts’ and ‘Snap Groups’ features enable users to easily organise multiple open windows. The Start Menu has been simplified and centered on the screen, making it more intuitive and easier for users to find what they need. Updated virtual desktops feature enables users to create separate workspaces, which is helps users to maintain focus and optimise time management.

Windows 11 also delivers performance improvements, such as faster boot-up times and enhanced memory management, enabling devices to run more efficiently, even when handling resource-heavy applications.

Application Compatibility and Modern Features.

The enhanced support for modern applications and features in Windows 11 can directly support the pursuit of primary business objectives for SMB customers, including improved CX and UX, productivity uplift and innovation.

Windows 11 offers integrated solutions that streamline workflows and improves collaboration and accessibility for employees. Enhanced support for web and native applications, combined with a smoother, more responsive interface, allows businesses to deliver superior digital services to customers.

Cutting-edge productivity tools include advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning, and the addition of new capabilities like ‘Snap Layouts’ and ‘Snap Groups’ for easy management of multiple open windows and tasks.

Along with better integration with M365 apps, Windows 11 also enhances compatibility with a range of third-party applications enabling SMBs to adopt new tools and software without worrying about compatibility issues. This creates a flexible environment for businesses to scale and integrate modern technologies, such as customer analytics platforms, project management tools, and AI-driven decision-making solutions, that can help drive innovation.

If you have customers that rely on data-heavy applications, such as analytics tools or creative software, Windows 11 offers improved memory management, faster start-up times, and better optimisation for multitasking. The ability to run resource-intensive applications more smoothly can directly contribute to the overall efficiency of business operations, providing teams with the tools they need to innovate and respond to customer needs more effectively.

Overcoming Migration Challenges

Ensuring a Seamless Transition.

One of the main concerns for SMBs when transitioning to Windows 11 is minimising business disruption. With the right tools and processes in place, MSPs can help ensure a seamless migration.

Devicie, for instance, offers an Intune automation platform that streamlines the deployment and configuration of Windows 11 across multiple devices. This enables MSPs to quickly assess readiness, apply necessary updates, and ensure devices are compliant with the latest security standards.

Managing Device Security and Config Drift.

During the migration process, businesses must ensure that their devices remain secure and compliant throughout. Managing configuration drift—when devices lose alignment with security policies—is a common challenge.

Devicie’s multi-tenant portal provides MSPs with complete visibility over their clients’ devices, ensuring that they stay in a “known good state” through continuous policy enforcement and patch management.

This reduces the risk of security breaches and ensures compliance with best practices like the Essential Eight and CIS standards.

Addressing Device Management and Security Risks.

MSPs also face the challenge of managing devices post-migration, particularly when it comes to security. With Windows 11, businesses need to consider whether to insource or outsource device management.

CoreView can simplify Microsoft 365 tenant management, helping MSPs oversee multiple tenants, identify compliance gaps, and ensure security best practices are followed.

This is particularly important for businesses looking to centralise security management for all their devices and cloud resources.

Solutions that Help

Simplifying Intune Deployment

Devicie accelerates the Intune deployment process, reducing the manual effort involved in configuring and maintaining devices at scale. With this platform, MSPs can quickly onboard devices, apply necessary Windows 11 policies, and ensure security baselines are met.

Optimise M365 Management

CoreView’s management platform helps MSPs deliver end-to-end control over Microsoft 365 environments. Whether it’s streamlining tenant configurations, enforcing security policies, or automating compliance checks, CoreView helps ensure that the transition to Windows 11 also aligns with a secure, productive M365 ecosystem.

Enhanced Security Service Delivery

Contraforce provides MSPs with a Security Service Delivery Platform (SSDP) that simplifies security operations through automation, enabling faster and more efficient security management. This is crucial in a post-migration environment, where the need for proactive security monitoring intensifies.

Don't miss the Webinar

With the end-of-life for Windows 10 just around the corner, transitioning to Windows 11 is no longer optional—it’s a business imperative. Crayon can help you to leverage solutions like Devicie, CoreView, and Contraforce and will be on your side to support a successful migration process.

Join us Tuesday, May 20th from 11am to 12pm (AEST), for a fireside chat with our expert team.

We’ll be discussing

• Why upgrading to Windows 11 is a must for businesses
• How to address migration risks and ensure a secure end state
• The benefits of insourcing vs. outsourcing device management
• Automating administrative tasks like identity management, M365 configurations, and license rationalisation