A: LSA Technology Services has launched a project to upgrade our ~6500 LSA Managed Windows computers used by faculty, researchers, staff, and students to teach, research, learn, and work. Windows 10 is reaching its end of life, and Microsoft will stop delivering updates for Windows 10 in 2025. LSA must upgrade (or secure) all Windows 10 devices by that deadline per U-M SPG 601.27.

A: This project will affect all LSA:

• Faculty who use Windows computers in the classroom, labs, or conference rooms.
• Faculty, researchers, and staff who have LSA Managed Windows computers.
• Faculty, researchers, staff, or students who use LSA Windows loaner devices.

LSA Technology Services staff will lead this effort and support the work with college engagement, presentations, communications, training, and website content to assist users in this change.

A: LSA Technology Services will be partnering to upgrade these devices:

• Summer 2023 — LSA Classrooms, Labs, and Conference Room computers will receive upgrades. Newly purchased Windows computers will start being deployed with Windows 11 by default. Faculty and Staff will also be able to upgrade as an early adopter for their current computer if their computer supports Windows 11.

• Fall 2023 — LSA Staff & Faculty will begin receiving communications to run Windows 11 upgrades on their devices.

• 2024 — Technology Services Staff will schedule time to upgrade research & lab devices.

• 2025 — Follow up with staff, faculty, or researchers who have not upgraded. Secure all devices that cannot upgrade beyond Windows 10 due to hardware, software, or instrumentation limitations prior to October 14, 2025 (official Windows 10 EOL date).

A: LSA Technology Services is:

• Implementing Windows 11 in our classroom, lab, and conference room environment as we have done in the past. This allows faculty a chance to learn Windows 11 ahead of their device changing.

• Upgrading computers to Windows 11 that are due for faculty and staff upgrades in late 2023 and 2024 vs. migrating existing machines. Providing support for platform changes during Day 1 visit.

• Opting In staff, faculty, or researchers who are interested in Windows 11 starting in Summer 2023. Let us know if you’d like to go early or test!

• Deliver Self Migration communications and support for all staff devices and any faculty or researchers who wish to perform their own upgrades.

• Provide Supported Migration Appointments  for faculty and researchers with complex data configurations which need technology support for upgrade efforts.

A: While Windows 11 is very similar to Windows 10 some training materials will be offered as part of the project. You can see an initial list of training information on the Training & Resources part of our website. Based on feedback we may expand the available training to include common requests. 

A: Yes, upgrades to Windows 10 will be available via the internet similar to how Windows patches and upgrades are done now. 

A: Windows 11 is a non-destructive upgrade to your computer. As such Microsoft will preserve your data on the machine during the upgrade process. 

A: During the upgrade process, software installed on the computer may be upgraded to a newer version. Not only will this help make sure the software functions properly for the new Operating System but it will also apply security updates to maintain the safety of your device and U-M’s computing environment.

A: You can find the Microsoft requirements here but feel free to reach out to us at LSATechnologyServices@umich.edu and we will assist you. As part of our timeline to upgrade all LSA-owned Windows devices we will be providing instructions for self-service upgrade instructions, upgrading through attrition through the LSA faculty and staff upgrade programs or contacting departments and individuals directly to schedule an upgrade. If your computer is not compatible with Windows 11, we will also reach out to partner with you on next steps to ensure your computer meets security requirements.

A: All LSA-owned Windows devices must meet security guidelines and be able to receive security patches in accordance with SPG 601.27. If there are extenuating circumstances for existing research computers, we will partner with you to ensure that your research continues and still has the ability to be secure and meet your particular laboratory needs.

A: We will be partnering with our Principal Investigators and Lab Managers to find solutions to allow their research to continue.

A: We appreciate that change can sometimes take time to adjust to. Microsoft and various vendors are already starting to move away from Windows 10 though and that will only accelerate. Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 broadly in October of 2025. To protect your data and U-M’s computing environment, and stay in compliance with University policy, Windows 10 computers will need to be replaced or upgraded before that date. If you have specific research requirements to stay on Windows 10 we will partner with you to ensure that your research continues and still has the ability to be secure and meet your particular laboratory needs.

A: If you would like to try the latest and greatest from Microsoft as soon as possible please reach out to us. We will begin reaching out to early adopters Summer 2023 to schedule upgrades.

A: Yes. Instead of right clicking you can use “Shift” + “F10” to access this menu faster.

A: You can find out more about what your experience will be like here but please reach out to us at  LSATechnologyServices@umich.edu if you have any questions

A: We wish we could make Windows 11 error messages clearer but this is Microsoft’s way of indicating that your computer wasn’t ready for the install for various internal reasons. Your computer will automatically try again later and should be successful the second time. If you continue to experience this issue please reach out to us at LSATechnologyServices@umich.edu.

A: If you have additional questions or would like to talk to us about the Windows 11 Upgrade and what it means for you, send us an email at LSATechnologyServices@umich.edu.