Purpose of knowledge article

• This article provides instructions on how to perform a Windows 11 in-place upgrade.
• Always back up your data before attempting any upgrades.
• If you have any DOUBTS reach out to Lab IT (help@lbl.gov) and we can assist you for a flat $250. Please see the Windows 10 End of Support and Upgrade to Windows 11 FAQ for more information.

Resolution

1. Preparing for a Windows 11 Upgrade 

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   1. Perform a Computer Assessment

      Assessment	Considerations
      Software Assessment	What applications will be needed in Windows 10?
      	Are any applications now redundant because of new Windows 10 features?
      	Are all applications compatible with Windows 10? https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ready-for-windows#/ Also, consider checking the vendor's website for Windows 11 compatibility information. Please note that it is not always possible to determine ahead of time whether a given application will operate as expected in Windows 11.
      	Do you have the software installation media if you need to reinstall after the upgrade?
      	Do you have the software license keys for reactivation if required after the upgrade?
      	Procure any Windows 10 compatible software if needed
      Hardware Assessment	Is all computer and peripheral hardware compatible with Windows 10?  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1
      	Are drivers available for specialized peripherals and devices?
      	Run hardware diagnostics to ensure the hardware is sound for Dell equipment, see https://www.dell.com/support/home/ca/en/cabsdt1/quicktest
      	Procure any Windows 10 compatible hardware if needed
      Data Assessment	What data is currently on the system?
      	Where is the data stored?
      	How much storage is needed?
      	Do you have the adequate backup capacity to prepare for the upgrade?

   2. Back up all data

      Option	Description
      Recommended for most users: Druva inSync Backup	For most users, the best way to back up the files you need is to use Druva InSync, the Lab's recommended desktop backup solution. By default, Druva will only backup data in a few select locations. Review the Druva settings and compare them to the Data Assessment performed earlier. Information on purchasing and configuring Druva is available here: Workstation Backups - Druva Druva keeps all data for at least 90 days
      Copy to external hard drive	Copying select files and folders to an external hard drive can be an inexpensive option, particularly for users with a lot of data to back up. External drives are easily purchased through the eBuy Staples or CDW-G stores. Unlike Druva backups, external hard drives cannot be accessed over the web, which may be an added convenience.
      Clone the original hard drive	Advanced users may prefer to clone the entire hard drive. Cloning the original disk ensures the ability to revert to the original hard drive if something goes wrong with the upgrade to Windows 11, but it requires more advanced skills to avoid damaging your system. Before commencing this process, ensure that the new drive is of equal size or larger than the original drive. Hard drives and docking bays are easily purchased through the eBuy Staples or CDW-G stores. Berkeley Lab IT recommends Clonezilla as a free, open-source tool for cloning drives.

   3. Windows 11 Licensing - In many cases, the Microsoft Windows license that was provided with your computer can be used to activate Windows 11 at no cost. For example, most Dell computers purchased by the Lab with Windows 10 Professional can be upgraded at no cost. 
      For systems that do not have an eligible license, a Windows 11 Professional license can be purchased from software.lbl.gov.

   4. Ensure that Windows 10 is fully patched before upgrading

      1. Using Windows Update, install all available Windows 10 patches. This may require several hours to install and involve multiple reboots. This step is highly recommended and will increase the chances of a successful upgrade.

2. Upgrade to Windows 11 

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   1	Check that your local hard disk has at least 10 GB of free space
   2	Make sure Windows 10 has all the available updates - see Run Windows Update on Windows 10 Note: The computer might need to restart after some updates	no image
   3	Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
   4	Under the Windows 11 Installation Assistant section, click the Download Now button to download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant
   5	Follow the Windows 11 Installation Assistant tool onscreen instructions to continue the Windows 11 upgrade	no image

3. Post-Upgrade Steps 

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   1. Restore all hardware, software, and data that were identified in the Computer Assessment.
   2. If Windows prompts you to enter an activation key, you will likely need to purchase a new license.
   3. Ensure that all Berkeley Lab IT-recommended applications are installed
      1. Download BigFix from software.lbl.gov. IT highly encourages all users to install BigFix on all Windows systems. The Passive Mode client is recommended for systems that are used for experimental data collection or other special tasks that should not be interrupted.
   4. Ensure that the system is configured according to Berkeley Lab IT recommendations

      1. When possible, change the system's hostname to match the Lab-standard naming scheme for Windows 10 systems: 

         {LDAP_UserName}-W {last 2 digits of the DOE number} Example: User Joe A. Smith has upgraded to Windows 11 on his system with DOE number 1234567. The recommended hostname would be jasmith-W67.

      2. Whenever possible, IT recommends that systems be added to the ActiveDirectory domain. Note that for users in Operations Divisions, the use of Active Directory is mandatory. Instructions to add a system to the domain are here: AD User Procedures.
      3. For systems that cannot be added to the domain, use BigFix Offers to configure the system, including
         1. Recommended security settings, which include Windows updates
         2. Windows Firewall settings

      4. For additional recommendations, review Berkeley Lab's IT Best Practices