Bridging the Windows 10 to 11 gap: cloud-first strategies with AppsAnywhere

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If, like many IT professionals, you’ve planned to tackle your institution’s Windows 11 migration this summer, this article is for you.

The transition to Windows 11 presents significant challenges for higher education institutions like yours, due to hardware limitations, application compatibility issues, and new security and licensing requirements. We hear these concerns from many universities looking to adopt AppsAnywhere, and especially around the impact this has on budgets, staff workloads and the potential implications for disruptions for students and staff.

AppsAnywhere provides a flexible, cost-effective solution that directly addresses each of these concerns. It also presents an exciting opportunity to use this opportunity to further modernize the existing software delivery infrastructure, adopt a cloud-first strategy and improve the student experience by further leveraging BYOD.

Here are some ways AppsAnywhere can help bridge the gap to Windows 11 for your institution:

Computers piled up to be recycled
You can reduce e-waste by extending your hardware life

Mitigating hardware compatibility and performance issues

  • Support for older devices: Many university-owned PCs don’t meet Windows 11's hardware requirements (e.g., lack TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot). AppsAnywhere enables application delivery to these machines without needing full OS upgrades.
  • Remote delivery advantage: With AppsAnywhere, applications are streamed directly from the cloud, reducing device workload. This means even low-spec or student-owned devices can run high-demand software without local installation.
  • Avoid costly VDI upgrades: Instead of upgrading VDI infrastructure to meet Windows 11's increased resource requirements, AppsAnywhere allows for on-demand, scalable application access without the heavy back-end investment.

Solving application compatibility concerns

  • Run legacy applications: Many academic applications are not yet optimized for Windows 11. AppsAnywhere virtualizes or streams these applications, allowing them to run smoothly in a controlled environment. You can run multiple versions of the same applications, to satisfy different teaching needs.
  • Cross-platform access: With AppsAnywhere, students and staff can access Windows apps from macOS, Linux, or Chromebooks, ensuring no user is left out during the transition.
  • Reduce SCCM/Intune complexity: Traditional deployment tools can be time-consuming and rigid. AppsAnywhere simplifies this by centralizing app management and delivering them dynamically.

Streamlining imaging and software deployment

  • Eliminate heavy imaging processes: With on-demand application access through AppsAnywhere, there's less need to pre-load machines with software images.
  • Centralized updates: IT can patch or upgrade applications centrally in the cloud, reducing workload and minimizing user disruption.
  • Flexible access models: AppsAnywhere supports hybrid deployments – local, cloud, VDI – allowing institutions to adapt as their IT strategy evolves.
Cloud computing image
Cloud-first strategies can simplify OS upgrades

Simplifying licensing and compliance

  • Flexible application licensing: AppsAnywhere supports BYOD environments, ensuring applications are only used by licensed users, helping institutions stay compliant.
  • Avoid complex VDI licensing: Instead of navigating Microsoft’s complex VDI licensing rules under Windows 11, AppsAnywhere offers a lighter, more cost-effective alternative.
  • Scalable access: Universities can scale up access without needing to overbuy licenses or hardware.

Enhancing Multifactor Authentication and Identity Management

  • SSO & MFA Integration: AppsAnywhere integrates with identity providers (Azure AD, Okta, etc.) to support MFA and secure logins, helping institutions comply with Windows 11’s security model.
  • Improved user experience: Students and faculty face fewer hurdles when accessing secure, cloud-delivered apps, resulting in fewer support requests and higher satisfaction.

Easing the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11

  • Support mixed environments: AppsAnywhere allows institutions to run both Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines simultaneously while delivering consistent application access to both.
  • Delay hardware refresh cycles: By streaming apps from the cloud, universities can keep using Windows 10 on unsupported devices while slowly rolling out Windows 11.
  • Future-proof IT: Moving toward a cloud-first app delivery model sets institutions up to handle future Windows versions and other tech shifts more easily.

If Windows 11 and hardware estate upgrades are on your “to do” list for this summer, why not give AppsAnywhere a go? You could be up and running within weeks (depending on your setup), save a lot of hassle and workload for your team, and you’ll be set for a better experience for you and your students in the new academic year.

But don’t just take our word for it: learn how Kingston University made their Windows 11 transition “literally an overnight experience” by watching this on-demand webinar.

So, whether you are mid-migration, in planning stages, or facing support deadlines for Windows 10, AppsAnywhere provides the agility and scalability to make the transition seamless.

Migrating from Windows 10 to 11 and beyond

During the webinar, we hear from Senior End User Computing Solutions Engineer at Kingston University, UK, Mark West about how AppsAnywhere and Cloudpaging technology have helped make their move to Windows 11 “literally an overnight experience”.

FAQs

Is there an option to still auto-validate?

Auto validation is still available as an option. We aim to ensure there are as few occasions of attempting to launch but being unable to as possible, and where they occur, explaining why.

Directory path local execution, when does detection occur? During login? During validation?

Detection occurs during validation - the client is given a list of directories to look in and it returns what it finds.

Any CSS options like Dark Mode available for users to customize the look of the portal?

Dark mode wasn't something we were able to do for this version, but it is something that we are looking to include in the future.

Can Download the Client be hidden?

If client download is not available in that instance - such as in labs mode or if client install is suppressed, then the client link will not appear. The client download link will also only appear on platforms which have a client - i.e. Windows and macOS.

When can we get 2.12?

If you would like to upgrade to 2.12 please submit a support request and the team will be touch.

How to implement BYOD in schools

To implement BYOD in a cost-effective and sustainable way, schools will need a clear idea of a number of key data points to understand which technologies are necessary and how many licenses of each technology are required: Number of users/devices Weighting of device type/platform (Windows vs Mac vs Linux) Software titles to deliver Usage data on software titles for licensing User groups requiring specialist software You can read more about implementing BYOD policies in schools in the SecurEdge article, ‘How to successfully implement a BYOD program into your school’ > https://www.securedgenetworks.com/blog/how-to-successfully-implement-a-byod-program-into-your-school

How communication is improved in school with BYOD?

With a BYOD policy implemented, schools can begin working to introduce centralized communication points such as Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) or Learning Management Systems (LMSs). Software delivery tools such as AppsAnywhere also provide areas that can be used to communicate with students. Once BYOD is enabled, schools can be more confident that students are actively accessing digital academic resources through specific channels, and that communication propagated through those channels is much more likely to be seen.

Does BYOD save schools money?

Yes, it can do. While BYOD technologies may be expensive, with the correct provisioning and tools implemented, the decrease in hardware investment required from schools by allowing students to bring their own device and insight from reporting data can help schools save money on their software delivery.

Why BYOD is good for schools?

BYOD policies in schools reduce the hardware investment of electronic devices, including mobile devices, needed for schools to offer equal access to digital academic resources to all students. By leveraging student-owned hardware, BYOD policies in schools can increase the resources available to students, such as software, digital media and digital learning environments, at a fraction of the cost of ensuring there are enough organization-owned machines for every student to use. Furthermore, BYOD allows students to access school resources outside of school and outside of teaching hours via their own device.

Why is BYOD important in schools?

BYOD policies in schools help to introduce students to completing work from their own devices in preparation for higher education and employment. In an ever-more-digital world, getting used to using personal devices to complete work can help desensitize students to the potential distractions offered by those devices. BYOD can also help students learn to manage their time effectively in a society where the lines between work time and free time are becoming more and more blurred.

When is AppsAnywhere 3.0 out?

We’re excited to be releasing AppsAnywhere 3.0 in December 2022, in time for January enrolment. Your dedicated Customer Success team will be in touch when it’s available to ensure your institution gets the most out of AppsAnywhere.

How can I get the latest version?

To get the latest version if you are currently using AppsAnywhere, schedule a call with your specialist implementations team and we can help you to start benefiting from AppsAnywhere 2.12 now.

Who can help me deploy VDI?

Most IT professionals get excited when considering new technologies and solutions. Without a doubt, the prospect of a VDI deployment project is likely to get your team’s juices flowing. However, deploying VDI is complex and often includes a host of new infrastructure and unique software management tools. The best advice is to engage with a vendor partner early on so that the design for your campus can be vetted by experts who work with VDI on a daily basis. A vendor partner can also help guide through different architecture scenarios, use cases, and potential pitfalls. All of the knowledge transfer gained will put the IT team in a far better position to successfully deploy and support VDI for your campus.

Which is better: DaaS or VDI?

As is the theme throughout the rest of this article, there isn’t really an objective victor in DaaS vs. VDI. However, when it comes to Higher Ed, we rarely see full DaaS deployments. They’re often saved for more limited use cases, such as temporary BYOD access, or delivering to satellite campuses. For the scale of delivery required by HEIT, VDI will usually come out on top. However, you still need to decide whether to go for legacy VDI, or newer, hosted solutions…

What is the difference between DaaS and fully hosted VDI?

DaaS refers to virtual desktops being provided to organizations as a service-based solution. It will include support for managing, upgrading and maintaining virtual machines. It is a more complete out-of-the-box solution with a price tag to match. Fully-hosted VDI is just like legacy VDI, except you don’t need on-premise server infrastructure, and they are often pay-as-you-go. Fully-hosted solutions are also referred to cloud-hosted solutions and they are the same as VDI, except hosted for you, as the name suggests.

Citrix or VMware?

Both VMware and Citrix have a robust product offering across many different solution suites. Historically, Citrix has excelled in the realm of remote app delivery or app remoting solutions. On the other hand, VMware leads the way with full desktop VDI delivery. Deciding on the right approach is solely dependent on the needs of the institution and what goals they are hoping to achieve with the project.

Why have a BYOD policy?

A formal BYOD policy helps to ensure a high chance of success and adoption as well as communicating practical information to users on how to interact with and use software on their BYO devices.

What is in a BYOD policy?

To put it concisely, a BYOD policy should include any or all of the following: Device type Operating system Available resources Security Usage conditions

What is BYOD policy?

A BYOD policy is a formal definition and agreement between the BYOD provider (universities) and the BYOD users (students). It is similar to an SLA (Service Level Agreement) between service-providers and outlines how users can expect to interact with their university's BYOD program, as well as any limitations, usage conditions, and compatibility information.

Related reading

AppsAnywhere Admin Dashboard and AppsAnywhere Portal
NEXT STEPS TO IMPROVING YOUR SOFTWARE DELIVERY

Your apps anywhere, anytime, on any device

Register your interest for a demo and see how AppsAnywhere can help your institution. Receive a free consultation of your existing education software strategy and technologies, an overview of AppsAnywhere's main features and how they benefit students, faculty and IT, and get insight into the AppsAnywhere journey and post launch partnership support.

AppsAnywhere Admin Dashboard and AppsAnywhere Portal
NEXT STEPS TO IMPROVING YOUR SOFTWARE DELIVERY

Your apps anywhere, anytime, on any device

Register your interest for a demo and see how AppsAnywhere can help your institution. Receive a free consultation of your existing education software strategy and technologies, an overview of AppsAnywhere's main features and how they benefit students, faculty and IT, and get insight into the AppsAnywhere journey and post launch partnership support.