Windows 11 and feature updates

Overview

This document is intended for the following audience:

  • Users with computers running Windows 10 who want to install the latest version of Windows 11.
  • Users with computers running Windows 11 who want to update to the latest feature release of Windows 11.
  • Users with computers running specific editions of Windows who need to perform feature updates while accommodating that edition.

This document is not intended for the following audience:

  • Users with computers running Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 who want to install Windows 11.

NOTE  Upgrade installations to Windows 11 are only possible from Windows 10.

  • Users who are looking to perform normal patching operations on Windows devices. Refer to Patch Management.
  • Users who are looking to keep the software on their devices up to date. Refer to Software Management.

Updating Windows 10 to Windows 11

Supplementary reading: Best practices for upgrading to Windows 11 using Datto RMM
The best practices guide covers how to identify devices running Windows 10 and check their compatibility for upgrading to Windows 11.

As no enablement package-style upgrade options exist for this use case, the recommended method of updating from Windows 10 to Windows 11 via Datto RMM is to use components.

Continue reading to find out which component best fits your requirements.

Updating Windows 11 using Patch Management

Supplementary reading: Patch Management

Datto RMM Patch Management can process Windows feature updates provided they come in a form known as an “enablement package."

EXAMPLE  Refer to this Microsoft article.

This form factor came about as a remedy to complaints over very large periodical updates overwhelming internal networks. Updates that previously would have been held back for a feature update are instead drip-fed into monthly update releases and held back behind a marker, which is instead enabled all together by a periodic enablement package-style release. This keeps network load down while not subjecting users to pre-release code.

As these updates are generally small in scope and handled in the same manner as any other update, Datto RMM is able to dispatch and install them without issue.

If a device is registering as having a feature update available and the text Enablement Package (or your localized equivalent) is present, Datto RMM should be able to handle it.

If you do not see the words Enablement Package in the update, or if attempting to update via enablement package has failed, or if you simply would prefer greater control over scheduling and downloading than what Patch Management can afford, please read the next section for information on performing the same task using a ComStore component.

Updating Windows 11 using ComStore components

Supplementary reading: Component Library, ComStore

Datto offers two ComStore components for Windows 11 updates:

These components offer similar functionality but perform the job in a different way, and which one you use depends heavily on your use case.

Expand the following sections to determine which component is more appropriate for you.

Both components permit Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices to update to a later release of Windows 11.

Component descriptions

Component comparison

Features Upgrade or Update to Latest Feature Release Upgrade via ISO
Update Windows 10 to Windows 11
Update Windows 11 to later Windows 11
Non-English OS support
Suppress reboots
Pre-download ISO using local storage to save bandwidth
Always update to latest version
Need to supply own ISO
Support Windows Education

Support Windows Server