WHITEPAPER

Using ProfileUnity to Migrate from Windows 10 to Windows 11

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If you’re a desktop administrator faced with the looming task of migrating Windows 10 users to Windows 11 on hundreds of desktops (physical or virtual), you need a plan that both makes the transition process easier and keeps users productive. ProfileUnity manages such user environment changes while also allowing the co-existence of Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems during the process. Ever since the introduction of Windows XP, Microsoft has engaged in a pattern of changing file locations and names within the Windows user profile – literally changing file names and locations within the user profile. For example, the Application Data folder name may change to AppData within the OS. Registry locations may also change between OS versions. Consequently, every new version of Windows has introduced a different profile version format. As a result, profile versions are now incompatible with previous versions of Windows OS versions. Basic profile tools such as Microsoft Roaming Profiles and FSLogix essentially “break” a user profile if they attempt to deliver one profile format into a later version format, e.g. Windows 10 to Windows 11. With the exception of Windows Server releases that are related to Windows desktop versions, each profile version is incompatible with subsequent versions. Over time, this problem has gotten worse. For example, the launch of Windows 10 Microsoft introduced a sixth profile version and there have been at least two subsequent versions. Windows 10 was reported to be “the one OS to rule them all.” However, within months of the public launch of Windows 10, Microsoft again announced that further profile changes have be made in Windows 10 resulting in yet further profile versions, as well as a new one for Windows 11. These disruptive profile changes will likely continue to occur in future Windows OS updates.









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