While Windows 11 has been around for a while, many Veterinary practices have chosen to remain on Windows 10 as the operating system for their workstations. Until recently, this has been a valid strategy. Many Veterinary software companies are still in the process of optimizing for Windows 11, and staying on Windows 10 has allowed these practices to avoid additional changes, training, and potential software issues.
However, Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will reach the end of its support life cycle on October 14, 2025, with the current version (22H2) being the final version of Windows 10. This means that Veterinary practices have only a year to migrate from Windows 10 to Windows 11. While that may seem like a long time, it’s important that Veterinary hospitals act quickly yet thoughtfully to make these changes before their workstations are no longer supported.
Why Do I Need to Change?
You might be tempted to let support for your Windows 10 devices lapse, but this would be a mistake. When support ends, devices will no longer receive security updates, technical assistance, or any free software updates from Windows Update. This means that your machines—and subsequently, your network and patient data—will be increasingly vulnerable to ransomware, viruses, and other threats. Yes, your machines will still function, but they will become “time bombs” on your network.
Okay, So What Should I Do?
As a Veterinary business owner or practice manager, you need to start conversations with your IT team today to plan the transition to Windows 11. Waiting until the last minute will only create stress, headaches, and potentially missed updates, which can lead to vulnerabilities on October 14, 2025.
Make a Plan – Before any work begins, you need to plan the migration and develop a full scope of the work to be done. For example:
- Is your asset list up to date with warranty expirations and workstation specs?
- How many devices are on your network?
- How many of these need to be migrated?
- What deadline are you setting for the migration (and testing) to be completed?
- Do you have users who work remotely? How will you account for these machines, if so?
- What user data will need to be migrated?
These questions are important to answer sooner rather than later because Windows 11 migrations will not happen in a vacuum. Your IT team will still be performing your normal strategic, support, and security functions during this time, so allotting adequate time to complete this move—while still handling day-to-day support—will be vital to maintaining the profitability and efficiency of your practice.
Identify Which Workstations to Replace – Let’s face it: clean installations on brand-new devices will always be easier and have a higher success rate than upgrading older, existing devices. This doesn’t mean you have to replace all of your workstations to have a successful migration! However, you should identify any machines that will have warranty expirations within the next year, as well as any machines that are currently experiencing hardware failures or sluggishness. If you’ve been holding off on replacing these devices, this might be the right time to pull the trigger and get clean, new Windows 11 devices.
Scheduling is Vital – When migrating to Windows 11, it can be helpful to schedule the device migration in phases. This way, you can troubleshoot any issues that arise with the new operating system on a select number of devices, instead of having your entire practice impacted. The first batch can often include devices that are not client-facing. For example, if you have a dedicated device for a marketing team member or an extra device for reception, these can be included in your first batch. Avoid mission-critical devices in batch one (especially those attached to laboratory, dental, or surgical functions).
Confirm Compatibility – Not all workstations can be upgraded to Windows 11. Microsoft offers tools and minimum hardware requirements to help identify whether your workstation is eligible for migration. Any ineligible devices should be scheduled for replacement with new workstations that are Windows 11 ready. You’ll also want to make sure the software and apps used in your practice are compatible with Windows 11. Often, this is just a matter of checking the FAQ pages for these applications or reaching out to your vendors to confirm the software will work once you make the migration.
Data Migration – Work with your team to identify any data that needs to be moved to the new platform. Device-to-device data migrations or user settings can sometimes be challenging to transfer cleanly, but using cloud platforms (e.g., syncing through OneDrive or using group storage through SharePoint) can mitigate many of these potential concerns. While data backups may not be 100% necessary during the migration process—since data should transfer from version to version without issue—it’s better to be safe than sorry. Work proactively with your IT team to ensure no data is left behind during the migration.
Test and Communicate – The truth is that most decisions related to technology happen at the level of practice leadership and the IT team, which means many of the users at your practice may be unaware of the planning and migration timetable. It’s important to proactively communicate with your team, using simple, direct language, so they know what to expect and what potential roadblocks they may encounter. Schedule user training on Windows 11 ahead of time, communicate the schedule multiple times (staff meetings are a great place to do this), and set aside time after each batch for testing between power users and your IT team to ensure all functionality is working according to plan.
As the countdown to Windows 10’s end of support continues, it’s crucial for Veterinary practices to stay ahead of the curve and avoid potential disruptions. Migrating to Windows 11 is not just a technology upgrade, but a strategic move to safeguard your practice’s security, efficiency, and operational stability. By taking proactive steps—such as planning thoroughly, assessing your current devices, scheduling migrations in phases, and communicating effectively with your team—you can ensure a smooth transition with minimal downtime. Don’t wait until the last minute; start preparing today so your practice is fully ready for the shift before the clock strikes zero.
To learn more about how the author, William Lindus, and I.T. Guru can help provide your Veterinary practice with safe, secure, and stable technology and cybersecurity environments, book a free consultation today!
Resources:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-enterprise-and-education