What this book covers
Chapter 1, Windows 11 – Installation and Upgrading, covers concepts and best practices for installing the new Windows 11 to prepare you for the move to Windows 11 in the most feasible way. It covers the new hardware requirements for Windows 11 and discusses different installation options. The chapter shows under which conditions an in-place upgrade is possible. It will also explain the new Lifecycle Policy of Windows 11.
Chapter 2, Introducing PowerShell, provides an introduction to PowerShell/PowerShell 7. The chapter explains the key concepts and shows how you can learn more about PowerShell.
Chapter 3, Configuration and Customization, discusses configuring Windows 11 to your needs, supported customization options, and how to configure Windows 11 for end users.
Chapter 4, User Account Administration, covers the administration of user accounts in Windows 11, including Azure AD, local accounts, and domain accounts usage.
Chapter 5, Tools to Manage Windows 11, discusses two sets of tools that you can use to manage Windows 11 and your Windows Server environment. Remote Server Admin Tools (RSAT) are produced by Microsoft and are available to download and use. The chapter also discusses the Sysinternals tools from Microsoft. Both tool sets are invaluable – and are both free and easy to obtain.
Chapter 6, Device Management, describes the new mobile device management (MDM) capabilities of Windows 10 and 11, discusses caveats of the Windows 10/11 GPO processing, and has a deeper look at patching and servicing, including the deployment solutions of the needed quality and feature updates such as Windows Update for Business, WSUS, MECM (aka SCCM), and third-party solutions.
Chapter 7, Accessing Enterprise Data in BYOD and CYOD Scenarios, covers an understanding of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Choose Your Own Device (CYOD) models. You will see and understand how to handle the scenario of user access to corporate data on personally owned Windows 11 devices.
Chapter 8, Windows 11 Security, covers all aspects of Windows 11 security. While you have covered some aspects of security in some of the other chapters in this book, you will look at them collectively and in more detail in this security-focused chapter. If you are a security professional, then this chapter is dedicated to your role and responsibilities in securing Windows 11 in a company.
Chapter 9, Advanced Configurations, goes over a variety of different configurations used in enterprise environments, including VDI, kiosk mode, Autopilot, configuration for schools, Unbranded Boot, and WSL2.
Chapter 10, Windows 11 21H2 and 22H2 Changes (versus Windows 10), gives an overview of all the new features and the numerous changes of the first two Windows 11 versions compared to the previous Windows 10 versions. This chapter is intended to give an overview of all the new features you should take a look at. It is a good start to familiarize yourself with the new features.