The Oklahoma Bar Journal August 2025

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7) Engage IT help. Work with a technology consultant or managed services provider. 8) Revisit cybersecurity set tings. Use this transition to assess endpoint protection, implement multifactor authentication (MFA) and take advantage of newer security features in Windows 11. 9) Educate staff. Brief your team on what to expect to ease the transition. 10) Dispose of old equipment securely. Before recycling or donating old devices, ensure all data is properly wiped using tools or ser vices that meet ethical and regulatory standards.

requirements. If your computers are more than five years old, chances are some of them can’t run Windows 11. According to one industry esti mate, nearly 240 million PCs glob ally cannot be upgraded due to these hardware limitations. 7 That likely includes a large number of law office desktops and laptops purchased before 2021. WHAT TO DO NEXT If you haven’t already started planning, now is the time. Follow these steps to get ahead of the deadline: 1) Check compatibility. Visit Microsoft’s comprehensive system requirements page to determine if your com puters are compatible with the upgrade. 8

2) Inventory your hardware. Identify which computers must be replaced and which can be upgraded. 3) Review software compatibil ity. Make sure your essential legal software – practice management tools, billing systems, document auto mation and court e-filing program – are fully compat ible with Windows 11. 4) Secure and back up data. Before replacing or upgrad ing any machines, ensure client files, firm records and software keys are securely backed up and accessible. 5) Budget accordingly. Begin allocating funds for hard ware replacements. 6) Upgrade in phases. Avoid

firmwide disruption by planning upgrades in waves or by department.

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL