Does your computer lack from a Windows 8 upgrade? Why not migrate to the new Windows 8 and change your computing experience? Microsoft released a preview version of its Windows 8.1 Enterprise version, which also requires a Software Assurance licensing agreement. People are eagerly anticipating the Windows 8.1 versions, which’ll hit the markets this October.
Support
An announcement from Microsoft indicates that Windows 8.1 will receive the same lifecycle support, along with extended support till January 10, 2023, just like the Windows 8 OS. However, one bit of information did leave people in a predicament. It seems that even though both Windows 8 and 8.1 will receive the same life cycle support, in two years, all Windows 8 users must upgrade to Windows 8.1. Apparently, this is based on Microsoft’s service pack concept. Also all deployment tools by Microsoft will be made available simultaneously, with the release of Windows 8.1. This indicates that an automated process exists for upgrading Windows 8 Enterprise edition to its Windows 8.1 counterpart, but the same cannot be said for the Preview version. The Windows 8.1 download page warns that the Preview users will be unable to upgrade. This may be because the preview is usually meant for test machines, and so users may encounter data loss on upgradation.
What are the new features in this version?
Well, Microsoft has incorporated quite a few exciting changes in the Windows 8.1 enterprise version. This includes a Start Screen control, Windows Enterprise Sideloading, and Windows To Go Creator.
The IT department can now control the appearance of a desktop in the entire organization, and preventing users from changing the Start Screen. You can image your Windows 8 desktop to a USB drive using the Windows To Go Creator. This is Microsoft’s latest portable Windows 8 desktop scheme to facilitate remote use. Publish line-of-business apps via a portal page without having to put them up on Windows Store, with the new “Sideloading” feature.
Some other features that are included are the same ones on Windows 7, like AppLocker and BranchCache. AppLocker decides what apps and files can be stored on the system while BranchCache allows access of content by branch offices in a large network efficiently. Virtual desktop infrastructure capabilities are also something to boast about in the new Enterprise edition, but require deploying Windows Server 2012.
It seems that Microsoft has really put a lot of sweat into improving the sales of its Windows 8.1 versions, owing to a less than enthusiastic review of Windows 8. So when are you going to do a Windows 8 upgrade?
Support
An announcement from Microsoft indicates that Windows 8.1 will receive the same lifecycle support, along with extended support till January 10, 2023, just like the Windows 8 OS. However, one bit of information did leave people in a predicament. It seems that even though both Windows 8 and 8.1 will receive the same life cycle support, in two years, all Windows 8 users must upgrade to Windows 8.1. Apparently, this is based on Microsoft’s service pack concept. Also all deployment tools by Microsoft will be made available simultaneously, with the release of Windows 8.1. This indicates that an automated process exists for upgrading Windows 8 Enterprise edition to its Windows 8.1 counterpart, but the same cannot be said for the Preview version. The Windows 8.1 download page warns that the Preview users will be unable to upgrade. This may be because the preview is usually meant for test machines, and so users may encounter data loss on upgradation.
What are the new features in this version?
Well, Microsoft has incorporated quite a few exciting changes in the Windows 8.1 enterprise version. This includes a Start Screen control, Windows Enterprise Sideloading, and Windows To Go Creator.
The IT department can now control the appearance of a desktop in the entire organization, and preventing users from changing the Start Screen. You can image your Windows 8 desktop to a USB drive using the Windows To Go Creator. This is Microsoft’s latest portable Windows 8 desktop scheme to facilitate remote use. Publish line-of-business apps via a portal page without having to put them up on Windows Store, with the new “Sideloading” feature.
Some other features that are included are the same ones on Windows 7, like AppLocker and BranchCache. AppLocker decides what apps and files can be stored on the system while BranchCache allows access of content by branch offices in a large network efficiently. Virtual desktop infrastructure capabilities are also something to boast about in the new Enterprise edition, but require deploying Windows Server 2012.
It seems that Microsoft has really put a lot of sweat into improving the sales of its Windows 8.1 versions, owing to a less than enthusiastic review of Windows 8. So when are you going to do a Windows 8 upgrade?