Windows 11 Features Worth Using in Your Business

Zac Tassone

Published 5 December 2023 · Updated 22 October 2026

Windows 10 reached end of support on 14 October 2025. Since then, Microsoft has stopped releasing free security updates, fixes and technical support for it. If some of your business PCs still run Windows 10, they are becoming easier targets every month.

The good news is that Windows 11 is more than a new look. It includes security and productivity features that many small businesses already pay for but never switch on. This guide covers the Windows 11 features worth using once you have moved. For what end of support means, Extended Security Updates and how to plan the upgrade, read Windows 10 end of support: what Sydney businesses must do now.

Windows 11 security features worth switching on

Windows Hello for Business

Staff sign in with a face, fingerprint or PIN tied to that specific device instead of typing a password. It is quicker for staff and much harder for attackers to steal, because there is no reusable password to phish.

BitLocker drive encryption

BitLocker encrypts the drive, so a lost or stolen laptop does not hand over your client files. It should be on for every business laptop, with recovery keys stored safely in your management system, not on a sticky note.

Hardware-backed protection: TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot

The hardware requirements that frustrate some people are there for a reason. TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot help stop malware from loading before Windows starts and protect stored credentials.

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen and Smart App Control

SmartScreen warns users about known phishing sites and malicious downloads. Smart App Control, available on many new installations, blocks apps that are untrusted or unsigned. Together they reduce the chance of one bad click becoming a business-wide problem.

Controlled folder access

This Microsoft Defender feature protects important folders from unauthorised changes by unknown apps, which helps against ransomware. It works best when configured centrally so legitimate business apps are not blocked.

Windows 11 features that help staff work better

Snap layouts

Hover over a window’s maximise button to arrange apps side by side in preset layouts. It is a small thing that makes working across email, a spreadsheet and a Teams call much easier, especially on a single screen.

Windows Backup for moving to a new PC

Windows Backup can save a user’s files, settings and app list to their Microsoft account and restore them on a new PC. That makes replacing a computer far less painful. For business files, OneDrive and SharePoint should still be the main home, with a separate backup.

Copilot with a work account

Microsoft Copilot is built into Windows 11. When staff sign in with their work account, Copilot Chat applies enterprise data protection, and prompts are not used to train Microsoft’s foundation models. Set expectations about what can be entered before people start using it.

Central management with Intune and Autopilot

For businesses on suitable Microsoft 365 plans, Windows 11 PCs can be set up and managed through Microsoft Intune, with Windows Autopilot preparing new devices automatically. That means consistent security settings, managed updates and a faster start for new staff.

Quick checklist

1. List every PC and note its Windows version and age.
2. Upgrade eligible Windows 10 machines to Windows 11.
3. Plan replacements for PCs that cannot upgrade, and use ESU only as a short bridge.
4. Turn on BitLocker and Windows Hello for Business on every device.
5. Manage updates and security settings centrally rather than PC by PC.
6. Agree simple rules for using Copilot and other AI tools.

Tracking device age, warranty and operating system support is exactly what our lifecycle and asset management service is for. It sits alongside our managed IT services, so upgrades are planned rather than rushed.

Still running Windows 10? Read Windows 10 end of support: what Sydney businesses must do now.