Windows 11
Windows 11 is designed to support today's hybrid work environment, and intended to be the most reliable, secure, connected, and performant Windows operating system yet.
About Windows 11
Windows 11 is the next evolution of Windows; it is the most significant update to the Windows operating system since Windows 10. It offers many innovations focused on enhancing end-user productivity in a fresh experience that is flexible and fluid. Windows 11 is designed to support today's hybrid work environment, and intended to be the most reliable, secure, connected, and performant Windows operating system ever.
Windows 11 is built on the same foundation as Windows 10, so the investments you have made in tools for update and device management are carried forward. Windows 11 also sustains the application compatibility promise made with Windows 10, supplemented by programs like App Assure. For Microsoft 365 customers seeking further assistance, FastTrack is available to support your efforts to adopt Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Unique Software Assurance benefits
Software Assurance provides access to enterprise offerings and unique use rights to extend the Windows experience across your organization. Software Assurance benefits for Windows include a core set of technologies, services, and use rights to help improve productivity, streamline software deployments, and reduce costs in a variety of ways across devices.
Qualifying operating systems
Properly licensed Microsoft operating systems have either a full operating system license or the combination of an upgrade operating system license and a pre-existing, full operating system license. Upgrade licenses require a Qualifying Operating System license.
How to Buy
Windows 11 will be delivered as an upgrade to eligible devices running Windows 10, beginning later in the 2021 calendar year. Windows 11 will also be available on eligible new devices.
For administrators managing devices on behalf of their organization, Windows 11 will be available through the same, familiar channels that you use today for Windows 10 feature updates. You will be able to use existing deployment and management tools, such as Windows Update for Business, Microsoft Endpoint Manager, and Windows Autopilot. For more information, see Plan for Windows 11.
For devices that are not managed by an organization, the Windows 11 upgrade will be offered to eligible Windows 10 devices through Windows Update using Microsoft's intelligent rollout process to ensure a smooth upgrade experience.
For more information about device eligibility, see Windows 11 requirements.
Windows 11 Enterprise
Windows 11 Enterprise is licensed as an upgrade license to Windows Pro. Windows 11 Enterprise may be licensed through the Windows Enterprise per device license, the Windows Enterprise E3 per user license, or the Windows Enterprise E5 per user license. Users without Windows Pro devices to upgrade from may still license Windows Enterprise for remote virtualization scenarios with the Windows VDA E3 or E5 license.
Windows 11 Enterprise E3
Windows 11 Enterprise E3 provides access to Windows 11 Enterprise edition, and includes a set of Windows cloud services that enable advanced protection against modern security threats, a broad range of options for operating system deployments and updates, and comprehensive device and application management. Learn more here.
Windows 11 Enterprise E5
Windows 11 Enterprise E5 includes everything in Windows 11 Enterprise E3 with the addition of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint—a security service that helps enterprises detect, investigate, and respond to advanced attacks on their networks.
Building on the existing security defenses in Windows 11 Enterprise E3, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint provides a post-breach layer of protection to the Windows 10 security stack. With a combination of client technology built into Windows 11 and a robust cloud service, it can help detect threats that have made it past other defenses, provide enterprises with information to investigate the breach across endpoints, and offer response recommendations.
FAQ
Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes with new tools, sounds, and apps. Every detail has been considered. All of it comes together to bring you a refreshing experience on your PC. Some Windows 10 features are not available in Windows 11, see Windows 11 Specifications.
Windows 11 offers new productivity features and functionality designed to meet the challenges of the hybrid world, with a completely refreshed look and feel that helps you get more done with less stress.
The upgrade to Windows 11 is for the same edition as you have on your Windows 10 device. Devices with Windows 10 Pro installed will be upgraded to Windows 11 Pro. Devices running Windows 10 Enterprise will upgrade to Windows 11 Enterprise. Windows 11 Pro will not offer Windows 11 Pro in S mode, so you will need to switch out of S mode to upgrade.
Learn more about Windows 11 Enterprise.
Yes, Microsoft is committed to ensuring your applications work on the latest versions of our software and Windows 11 has been built with compatibility in mind. Our promise states that apps that worked on Windows 7/8.1/10 will work on Windows 11. If you have App Assure, Microsoft will help you fix them at no cost. App Assure is a service that helps customers resolve application issues that they may experience when deploying the latest version of our software. App Assure is available at no additional cost for eligible customers with 150+ seats. For more information on eligibility requirements, please navigate to this page. Visit the App Assure page and sign in to submit your request for assistance for a dedicated App Assure Manager. If you experience any issues submitting a request for assistance, please contact ACHELP@microsoft.com and one of our team members will assist you.
Windows 11 is based on the same foundation of Windows 10, so it will support the same management tools that you use today with Windows 10.
The minimum hardware requirements are available here.
If you’d like to see if your current PC meets the minimum requirements, download and run the PC Health Check app.
Yes! Windows 10 continues to be a great version of Windows. We have committed to supporting Windows 10 through October 14, 2025.
An update can consist of bug and security fixes and new features in a version of Windows. They tend to roll out throughout the year. An upgrade is when you change versions—for example, moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11, or moving editions from Windows Home to Windows Pro.
Most devices available for purchase now will be upgradeable to Windows 11. You will have the option to upgrade, clean install, or reimage Windows 10 devices to move to Windows 11. For Windows 7 devices that meet hardware requirements, you will need to clean install or reimage to go directly to Windows 11.
Windows 11 provides a familiar modern and refreshed interface that helps increase productivity and enhances the collaboration experience for end users while maintaining consistent management for IT managed devices.
Yes. After you have installed the Windows 11 upgrade, there is a 10-day period where you can move back to Windows 10 while keeping files and data that you brought along with you. After the 10 days, you will need to back up your data and do a “clean install” to move back to Windows 10.
Windows 11 has been built on the same core as Windows 10 so you’ll continue with the same experience you’re accustomed to.
Yes, you will be able to use Windows Autopilot for Windows 11 devices.