In a large enterprise environment where most computers are Dells, I'm a junior site admin. I thought all upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11 were free as long as the hardware met the requirements. I've been installing new Windows 11 images on compatible machines, but our infrastructure head warned that we might face fines during a software audit because he believes the OEM license doesn't transfer to new Windows versions. I want to verify this, especially since all sources I've found suggest the upgrade is free. I also contacted Dell, and they confirmed that if a laptop has a Windows 11 Pro License upgrade, it should be fine during an audit. My question for fellow sys admins is: am I violating any Microsoft rules by upgrading from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro with OEM licenses? I'm trying to ensure everything is compliant and avoid potential fines.
3 Answers
Your infrastructure guy is mistaken. All those Dell PCs with OEM Windows 10 can legally upgrade to Windows 11 for free. A quick Google search could clarify this for him. Just make sure the PCs are running Windows 10 version 20H1 or later and meet the hardware specs like they should, and you’re golden!
From my experience, I've been able to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 without any major issues. Although, I noticed that computers older than 10th-gen Intel tend to lag a bit. If you can, I'd suggest adding extra RAM to those older systems to keep them running smoothly until you can upgrade. As for fines, I doubt Microsoft typically fines companies during audits. They might flag some issues, but I haven't heard of fines being common.
As long as the devices activate properly, you should be fine. Just remember, activation doesn’t always mean you’re compliant with licensing terms. It's your responsibility to ensure everything is in line with Microsoft’s rules.
True that! Just because your systems activate doesn’t mean you’re automatically compliant, so always double-check your licenses.
Exactly! Keeping track of your licenses is crucial during audits. OEM or retail, make sure you have proof of purchase to avoid headaches later.
Totally get that RAM struggle! I don’t push Win 11 on anything with just 8GB either. Your advice is spot on!