Windows 11 Is Coming: What You Need to Know

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 on October 13, 2025. To stay secure, compliant, and up to date, all Emory-managed Windows 10 devices must be upgraded to Windows 11 before this date. This post outlines the timeline, upgrade options, training resources, and technical details to help you prepare.

Table of Contents

1 🗓️ Upgrade Timeline
2 🔧 Upgrade Options
- 2.1 1. Self-Service Upgrade
- 2.2 2. Assisted Upgrade
- 2.3 3. Forced Upgrade
3 🧑‍🏫 Training & Resources
4 🖥️ Compatibility & Technical Info
5 💾 Backing Up Your Files
6 🔄 What to Expect During the Upgrade
7 ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
8 🆘 Need Help?

🗓️ Upgrade Timeline

Phase	Description	Date

Phase	Description	Date
Phase 1	Department Machines Upgrade	September 1 & onward
Phase 2	Voluntary & Assisted Upgrade Window Begins	Monday, September 22
Phase 3	Forced Upgrade Push	Monday, October 6
Phase 4	Post-Upgrade Support	Post-Upgrade onward

🔧 Upgrade Options

You have three ways to upgrade:

1. Self-Service Upgrade

Starting Monday, September 22, a notification on your computer will prompt you to upgrade at your convenience.
Step-by-step instructions will be provided.

2. Assisted Upgrade

We will assist you with the upgrade if you’d like.
On-site and remote support will be available starting Monday, September 22.
To schedule assistance, submit a ticket to 📧 78888@emory.edu.

3. Forced Upgrade

If you haven’t upgraded by October 6, the upgrade will be automatically pushed to your device.

🧑‍🏫 Training & Resources

Explore Windows 11 with our curated training materials:

Online Courses: LinkedIn Learning | Microsoft Learn | YouTube

Topics include:

What’s new in Windows 11
Navigating the new interface
Productivity tips and tricks

🔗View Training Resources

🖥️ Compatibility & Technical Info

The Technology Support and Training (TST) Team has verified:

✅ Windows 11-compatible hardware
✅ Supported software (including Aeon, Ares, Illiad, OCLC, Microsoft Office, Adobe, Zoom, etc.)
✅ Printers, scanners, and accessories

🔗 View Compatibility Details

💾 Backing Up Your Files

Before upgrading, we strongly recommend backing up your data:

OneDrive: Ensure files are synced.
External Drive: Manually copy important folders.
Network Drive: Use your department’s shared storage.

🔗 View Backup Guide

🔄 What to Expect During the Upgrade

Duration: up to 2 hours
Restarts: Your system will reboot several times
Data: Files and apps should remain intact

🔗 Learn More About the Upgrade Process

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is this upgrade necessary?
A: Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10. Upgrading ensures continued security and performance.

Q: Can I choose when to upgrade?
A: Yes—until October 6. After that, the upgrade will be automatic.

Q: Will my files be safe?
A: Yes, but we recommend backing up just in case.

🔗 Read the Full FAQ

🆘 Need Help?

📧 Email: 78888@emory.edu
📞 Call: 404-727-8888
🧑‍💻 Visit: Level 2 Staff Technology Support Desk (WLB Staff Area)