Microsoft 365 Endpoint AdministratorDeploy Windows client (25-30%)Medium
A small business with 20 Windows 10 Pro devices needs to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro. They want a straightforward, automated upgrade process that requires minimal user interaction and preserves existing user data and applications. The devices are all managed by Microsoft Intune. Which method is most suitable for this upgrade?
- AClean installation using bootable USB media
- BWipe and load deployment using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT)
- CFeature update deployment via Windows Update for Business (WUfB)
- DManual in-place upgrade using the Windows 11 Setup Assistant
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Feature update deployment via Windows Update for Business (WUfB)
Deploying feature updates via Windows Update for Business (WUfB) managed by Intune provides a highly automated, in-place upgrade path for Windows 10 to Windows 11, preserving user data and applications with minimal user interaction, and leveraging existing Intune management.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Clean installation removes all user data and applications, which contradicts the requirement to preserve them.
- B. Wipe and load removes all data and applications, contradicting the preservation requirement, and MDT is typically for on-premises deployments, not cloud-managed Intune environments.
- D. Manual Setup Assistant requires significant user interaction and is not scalable for 20 devices or suitable for automated management.
Windows Update for Business (WUfB) Feature Update
A service within Windows Update that allows organizations to manage when and how Windows 10/11 feature updates (upgrades to new OS versions) are delivered to devices, often integrated with Intune for policy deployment.
- Enables automated, in-place upgrades.
- Preserves user data, applications, and settings.
- Managed via Group Policy or Intune, providing control over deployment rings and deferrals.
Memory trick: WUfB makes upgrades a 'Walk-Up-and-Be-Done' experience.