Windows 11 Upgrade Script

Overview

This PowerShell script automates the execution of the Windows 11 Installation Assistant to silently upgrade devices to Windows 11. It is designed for seamless deployment with an MDM solution like SOTI MobiControl, enabling bulk upgrades across multiple devices while ensuring proper logging and error handling. The version of the Installation Assistant used in this script is included in the GitHub repository.

Why Use This Script?

Organizations face challenges upgrading devices to Windows 11 at scale:

• Time-Consuming: Manual upgrades require significant effort.
• Compatibility Concerns: Ensuring hardware compatibility across devices.
• End-User Disruption: Minimizing interruptions to user workflows.
• Automation Needs: Leveraging MDM solutions to push upgrades remotely.

Benefits of This Script:

1. Streamlined Process: Automates the upgrade workflow using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
2. Reduced Manual Effort: Deploy and execute scripts via SOTI or similar MDM systems.
3. Centralized Logging: Provides clear logs for troubleshooting issues.

Pre-Requisites

1. Windows 11 Hardware Compatibility: Ensure devices meet Windows 11 system requirements.
2. Installation Assistant: Place Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe at C:\Users\Public\Downloads. The version used in this script is provided in the GitHub repository.
3. PowerShell Execution Policy: Use the following to bypass restrictions if needed:

   powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Path\To\Script.ps1"

4. MDM Solution: Verify that your MDM supports file deployment and PowerShell script execution.

Deployment with SOTI MobiControl

Step 1: Upload the Windows 11 Installation Assistant

Upload Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe to your MDM system.
Set the destination path to: C:\Users\Public\Downloads

Step 2: Upload the PowerShell Script

Save the script as UpgradeToWindows11.ps1.
Upload the script to your MDM system.
Ensure paths are correctly set:
    Installation Assistant: C:\Users\Public\Downloads\Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe
    Log File: C:\ProgramData\Windows11_Upgrade_Log.txt

Step 3: Execute the Script

Push the script to devices using your MDM’s Run Script feature.
Use the following command:

powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Users\Public\Downloads\UpgradeToWindows11.ps1"

Monitor logs at: C:\ProgramData\Windows11_Upgrade_Log.txt

Script Content

Below is the complete PowerShell script for automating the Windows 11 upgrade process:

# Define paths
$AssistantPath = "C:\Users\Public\Downloads\Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe"
$LogFile = "C:\ProgramData\Windows11_Upgrade_Log.txt"

# Log message function for output clarity
function LogMessage($Message) {
    $TimeStamp = Get-Date -Format "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss"
    Write-Output "$TimeStamp - $Message"
    Add-Content -Path $LogFile -Value "$TimeStamp - $Message"
}

# Start logging
LogMessage "=== Starting Windows 11 Upgrade Process ==="

# Check if the Installation Assistant executable exists
if (Test-Path $AssistantPath) {
    LogMessage "Windows 11 Installation Assistant found at: $AssistantPath"
    try {
        LogMessage "Starting the Installation Assistant in quiet mode..."

        # Run the Installation Assistant in quiet mode
        Start-Process -FilePath $AssistantPath -ArgumentList "/quietinstall /SkipEULA /SkipCompatCheck" -NoNewWindow -PassThru

        # Log that the process was initiated
        LogMessage "Windows 11 Installation process initiated. Please wait for the upgrade to complete."

    } catch {
        # Catch and log any errors during execution
        LogMessage "Error while running Windows 11 Installation Assistant: $_"
    }
} else {
    LogMessage "Error: Windows 11 Installation Assistant not found at: $AssistantPath"
}

# End of script logging
LogMessage "=== Script execution finished ==="

Example Usage with SOTI

1. Upload and Deploy the Script:

   • Copy and paste the UpgradeToWindows11.ps1 script into the Managed Scripts section of SOTI MobiControl.
   • Push the script to devices individually or in bulk, depending on your deployment needs.

2. Setting Up a Scheduled Upgrade:

   • To automate the upgrade process at a specific time, create a package that deploys the Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe to the correct location (C:\Users\Public\Downloads).
   • Create a profile to deploy this package to the target devices.
   • Use SOTI's Task Scheduler to schedule the execution of the PowerShell script (UpgradeToWindows11.ps1) at a specified time, ensuring the upgrade happens without manual intervention.

3. Monitoring Deployment:

   • Monitor the progress of the upgrade through the SOTI dashboard.
   • Review the logs to troubleshoot any issues by checking the log file located at C:\ProgramData\Windows11_Upgrade_Log.txt on the target devices.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! If you have ideas for improvements or run into issues, please open an issue or submit a pull request.