Saxony-Anhalt Prepares for the Transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11

As the deadline for free support for Windows 10 approaches in October, public administration in Saxony-Anhalt is proactively upgrading to Windows 11. According to a recent survey conducted by the Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 88% of municipal computers have already been transitioned to the new operating system, with the remaining updates expected to be completed shortly.

The Ministry of Digital Affairs and Infrastructure reported that out of over 3,500 computers, the transition to Windows 11 has been successfully carried out on a significant majority, including systems used by the Digital, Finance, and Education Ministries, as well as computers belonging to tax offices and the state education authority. The full upgrade is on schedule to be finalized by April.

Experts have raised concerns about potential security risks associated with the end of support for Windows 10, as Microsoft will cease providing free security updates, leaving systems vulnerable to cyber threats. With approximately 32 million computers still running Windows 10 in Germany, including many in public administration, a swift upgrade to Windows 11 is being strongly recommended.

In the Saalekreis district, officials announced that all 1,200 computers in their administration are currently operating on Windows 10. To facilitate the transition, all computers will be remotely reinstalled with the new operating system. The district has also committed to providing instructional videos for staff to assist in the transition process. Regions such as Jerichower Land, Wittenberg, and Altmarkkreis Salzwedel have already commenced their upgrades since last year. In instances where compatibility issues arise, entire computers will be replaced, as noted by city officials in Halle, where around 200 devices are affected. Local administrations remain optimistic about completing the upgrade by October to mitigate any security concerns.

However, not all districts are moving at the same pace. The Harz district and the capital city of Magdeburg are utilizing specific versions of Windows 10 that will continue to receive security updates beyond the general support end date, extending at least until 2027. Despite this, early preparations for the transition to Windows 11 are already underway in Magdeburg.