Demand for Security Features Boost Windows 10 Migration Momentum

Within a year, the vast majority of organizations are expected to migrate at least one-half of their desktop systems to Windows 10, according to a recent survey from Adaptiva. The “2018 Windows 10 Enterprise Impact Survey” report indicates that security features are driving the demand, especially with anticipated improvements in BitLocker and Windows Defender. Corporate IT departments are also initiating upgrades to implement improved identity protection and access control. However, a lack of available time and budgeting—along with app compatibility issues—creates transitional challenges. More than 400 IT professionals took part in the research. The following slideshow features highlights from the survey, with charts provided courtesy of Adaptiva.

Two of five organizations, or roughly 40 percent have already migrated at least one-half of their PC systems to Windows 10. A year ago, just 28 percent had made this much progress.

Within a year, 59 percent of organizations are expected to migrate at least one-half of their tech systems to Windows 10. Nearly 14 percent are expected to complete their migration within that time frame.

More than three of five organizations estimate that it will take more than six months to complete their migration. Nearly two of five expect it to take longer than a year.

Despite the length of time required to migrate completely to Windows 10, 74 percent said that the availability of workers qualified to complete the Windows 10 migration as either “good” or “excellent.” Only 4 percent describe it as “poor.”

Adaptiva reports that 87 percent of survey respondents said their organization is migrating to Windows 10 because it is the only Windows OS that Microsoft is supporting in the future. Nearly three-quarters said they are migrating because of the Windows 10 security features.

Nearly three of five respondents are interested in Windows 10 because of improvements in BitLocker. About one-half are interested in improvements in Windows Defender.

In ranking additional, anticipated security improvements for Windows 10, 47 percent of respondents listed identity protection and access control. About 39 percent cited Credential Guard.

When asked to rank the biggest challenges in deploying and maintaining Windows 10, 62 percent of respondents cited a lack of time. One-half listed Windows 10’s compatibility with business apps.

In ranking other challenges, 42 percent of respondents listed associated costs. Other top barriers include the need to train end users (cited by 37 percent of respondents) and the need to migrate user data (32 percent).