--- title: Five Golden Rules for a Successful Ubuntu Desktop Migration description: So, you like the idea of deploying an Ubuntu desktop to all or some of your users. You like the way Ubuntu’s light-client model can give  your older desktop machines a new lease of life. You like the fact that Ubuntu is secure, portable, and easy to manage. Best of all, you like that it […] url: https://canonical.com/blog/golden-rules-of-enterprise-desktop-migration --- 1. [Blog](https://canonical.com/blog) 2. Article --- [Canonical](https://canonical.com/blog/author/canonical "More about Canonical") 21 November 2011 # Five Golden Rules for a Successful Ubuntu Desktop Migration --- Share the article So, you like the idea of deploying an Ubuntu desktop to all or some of your users. You like the way Ubuntu’s light-client model can give  your older desktop machines a new lease of life. You like the fact that Ubuntu is secure, portable, and easy to manage. Best of all, you like that it costs nothing to license, and comes with a host of enterprise-grade apps that cost nothing to license either. Now it’s time to see how it works for you in the real world. To help you plan your migration, we’ve compiled our five golden rules for success. These are things we’ve learned from the hundreds of Ubuntu desktop migrations we’ve conducted for clients around the world – from the French National Police Force to the Supreme Court of India. **[Download](https://pages.canonical.com/enterprise-desktop-ebook2.html "download new ebook") today and discover how to:** * Plan effectively for maximum effect * Target the users ripe for migration * Identify the apps that save you money and hassle * Create the right management flows * Pilot your project to get it just right [Get in touch Interested in running Ubuntu in your organization?](https://ubuntu.com/about/contact-us/form) ## Sign up for our newsletter Get the latest Canonical news and updates in your inbox. Work email: \*I agree to receive information about Canonical's products and services. In submitting this form, I confirm that I have read and agree to [Canonical's Privacy Notice](https://canonical.com/legal/data-privacy/contact) and [Privacy Policy](https://canonical.com/legal/data-privacy). Sign up ## Share on --- ## Related posts [### What designers should know about semiotics](https://canonical.com/blog/what-designers-should-know-about-semiotics) What happens when you look at an apple? When you see it, you perceive the apple and assign meaning to it based on your language, experience, and personal preferences – such as... [Sophie Carroll](https://canonical.com/blog/author/sophiecarroll) 15 October 2026 [### Canonical releases Ubuntu 26.10 Stonking Stingray](https://canonical.com/blog/canonical-releases-ubuntu-26-10-stonking-stingray) The latest interim release of Ubuntu previews privacy conscious speech-to-text, enables post-quantum package signing, completes the rollout of Rust coreutils, and improves... [Canonical](https://canonical.com/blog/author/canonical) 15 October 2026 [### Securing open source software dependencies in the public cloud](https://canonical.com/blog/securing-open-source-software-dependencies-in-the-public-cloud) Building stable and secure software requires understanding build systems and having a plan for vulnerabilities in your software dependencies. [Aaron Whitehouse](https://canonical.com/blog/author/aaron-whitehouse) 5 October 2026 [### AI infrastructure for telcos](https://canonical.com/blog/ai-infrastructure-for-telcos) Why moving from pilots to production changes the platform Artificial intelligence has moved beyond the demonstration phase. Telco operators are already exploring it for fault... [Benjamin Ryzman](https://canonical.com/blog/author/benjaminryzman) 2 October 2026