Windows 11 upgrade preparation guide
- Ryan Drescher
The Windows 10 operating system will reach its “end-of-life” on October 14, 2025. This means there will be no further security or maintenance updates after that time. Our intention is to have 100% of faculty, staff and lab PC’s upgraded to Windows 11 prior to October 14.
A few important points about this process:
The upgrade process can be completed 100% remotely if needed, and provided there is a stable, fast internet connection.
The upgrade involves a full wipe (hard drive erasure) and rebuild of your computer. The primary concern is to ensure your data is properly backed up to a cloud storage location (e.g. OneDrive, iSchool Documents). If you would like some help from IT staff to verify backup status, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Due to the nature of the Windows 11 “Autopilot” deployment, most of the configuration must be done after the primary user logs into the computer for the first time. Therefore, we are not able to deliver a 100% “turnkey” computer. Please plan for ~30 minutes of setup time upon delivery of an upgraded computer.
It is recommended that you complete the software request process (below) ahead of time so that software can begin deploying immediately after you log in to the upgraded computer.
Data backup
The OneDrive client is configured to automatically back up the following user folders to the cloud:
Documents
Desktop
Pictures
If you have important data stored outside of the listed OneDrive folders (e.g. on the C:\ drive) it will not be backed up automatically. Please copy it to an approved location (above) or consult Tech Support!
Common folder locations we see:
C:\My Local Files
C:\temp
C:\<user name>
Open the OneDrive client from the system tray and verify that your files have been synced successfully. It should look like the image below:
If you see any errors here, follow the suggested steps to resolve or consult Tech Support.
Web browser data
Microsoft Edge is our recommmended web browser. It is based on the same underlying technology as Google Chrome, but allows you to sign in with your SU credentials, allowing easy access to university sites and services (fewer two-factor login requests). In addition, bookmarks and browsing data are saved to the cloud and will follow your user account to another computer.
Chrome and Firefox browser data is not automatically backed up. If you have bookmarks saved in these browsers, it will need to be backed up manually. Follow the instructions below, and be sure to save the backup file in OneDrive. Contact tech support if you need help with this process.
*Note: if you log into Chrome using a Google account, your bookmarks are probably backed up that way
Downloads folder
The Downloads directory (C:\Users\<netid>\Downloads) is the default location where browsers store downloaded files. Please review this folder for anything important, as it is not automatically backed up.
Requesting software for Windows 11
The following process will be used, going forward, for the installation of software provided by the university. It can be done ahead of time, from any computer, but will only take effect on the new Windows 11 device.
Note, please carefully check the list of available applications. If there is anything essential to you that is missing from the list, please let us know. We may consider deferring the update.
Login to https://myaccess.microsoft.com
Choose “Access packages” on the left side
Click “Request” on any apps that are applicable to you, and then choose “Request for myself” on the next screen. You should request at least the following depending on your needs:
App-7zip
App-Adobe Acrobat & CC Desktop NUL
App-Zoom SU Meeting Client (*Note - do not request this version if you need to use the 2U implementation of Zoom)
