At today’s Future of Hybrid Work event, Microsoft detailed how it has recently deployed Windows 11 to some 190,000 devices across the company. In a five week deployment, which the company calls “the fastest deployment of and operating system in company history,” Microsoft says the upgrade was “so straightforward and fast is was almost a non event.”
The upgrade was handled by the Microsoft Digital Employee Experience org, using the same processes it supplies to customers, including the Windows Update for Business Deployment Service. Like most companies, all of Microsoft’s computers don’t meet the heightened system requirements for Windows 11, and not all computers were upgraded. Microsoft was able to communicate the system requirements early, and plans to upgrade its older computers on a regular replacement schedule, managing both Windows 11 and Windows 10 devices until the upgrade is complete.
Microsoft used the Feedback Hub internally as well as the company’s support teams to monitor feedback and resolve issues, but even though “employees are very vocal when it comes to giving us feedback about our products and features,” the company didn’t see an uptick in support contacts.
If anyone should deploy Windows 11, it’s Microsoft, of course, but it’s interesting to see that they have made the transition internally for the most part, and done it without significant issues.
