Upgrading to Windows 11: My Tips for Setting Up Your Dentrix Workstations the Right Way

Hey, my friends! Big news: Microsoft is officially ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. That means no more security updates, no more patches, and no more safety net. If your dental practice hasn’t started preparing for the switch to Windows 11, now’s the time.

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I’ve been hearing from several offices lately who are already knee-deep in this transition. One of my clients in Gig Harbor, Washington, had to purchase four new workstations to stay compliant. If your IT team hasn’t reached out yet, they will soon because upgrading isn’t optional.

But here’s the part many teams don’t realize: installing Dentrix on a brand-new Windows 11 workstation isn’t just plug-and-play. Your system won’t magically inherit your favorite settings and layouts. So today, I want to walk you through exactly what to expect and how to get your workstations properly customized.

Why Customization Matters After Upgrading

When you install Dentrix fresh on a new workstation, none of your workstation-specific settings come along for the ride. That includes your appointment book views, ledger colors, toolbar layouts, billing statement setup, and more. If you’ve spent years tweaking your workstation to work just right, this upgrade can feel like starting over.

Setting Up Your Appointment Book View

One of the first things you’ll need to customize is your appointment book view. Out of the box, Dentrix defaults to a basic view that may not display your operatories, columns, or colors the way you’re used to.

Here’s what I recommend:

1. Go to Settings → Appointment Book Setup.

2. Update your open and closed hour colors, especially if you need higher contrast for visibility.

3. Click View → New to set up a customized layout.
   My personal preference:

   • Patient name

   • Two lines for appointment reason

   • Patient age
     Everything else, I set to “none” to reduce clutter.

You can also organize operatories, assign providers, and customize the order they appear. If your office runs Perfect Day Scheduling, make sure to enable it because this feature defaults to “off” on new installations.

Don’t Forget Billing Statements and Ledger Colors

If you’re the financial coordinator, listen up: billing statement preferences are also workstation-specific. After upgrading, go to Practice Defaults and set up your statement formats again.

Next, visit the ledger and customize your colors under File → Ledger Colors. I recommend sticking with darker tones for better visibility; light shades look nice but are hard to read on-screen.

Configure Allocation and Payment Options

You’ll also need to reset your allocation options under File → Allocation Options Setup. This impacts provider allocations, adjustment types, and how Dentrix handles credit balances.

If your team posts insurance payments or uses Dentrix eClaims, double-check your direct processing options  and enable auto‑attachments so X‑rays and clinical notes get added to claims automatically.

Customize Chart Displays and Perio Templates

Don’t forget the Dentrix Imaging Center; if your team relies on imaging workflows, it integrates seamlessly when your workstation and charts are correctly configured. Consistency across operatories is critical so your team isn’t confused jumping between rooms.

If you’ve built custom Perio Chart templates, make sure those get copied over as well; otherwise, you may need to recreate your navigational settings.

My Biggest Tip: Plan Ahead

With the Windows 10 end-of-life deadline approaching, start upgrading sooner rather than later. Waiting until the last minute risks delays, lost productivity, and unexpected workflow interruptions. The earlier you set up your workstations and customize Dentrix, the smoother the transition will be.

And one more thing: Dentrix has a Workstation Setup Wizard buried under Office Manager → Maintenance → Practice Setup. I haven’t personally tested it, but it claims to copy settings from an existing workstation. If you try it, let me know how it works; I’d love your feedback.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading to Windows 11 doesn’t have to be stressful, but preparation is everything. Take the time to customize your Dentrix workstation setup, review your workflows, and double-check your settings. Your future self (and your front office team) will thank you.

If you found these tips helpful, share this article with your colleagues or your dental study group. Let’s get your practice ready for Windows 11 and make this transition as smooth as possible.