Microsoft is finally opening up about Windows 8 for business users. So much attention has been paid to consumer Windows 8 tablets, smartphones, and touch screens that business has been in the shadows.
Microsoft announced on Monday that Windows 8 will ship in four editions: Windows 8 for consumers, a Pro version, Windows RT, and an optimized version for customers making bulk purchases, namely Software Assurance licenses for the enterprise.
Monday's announcement did not delve deeply into details about this enterprise version but now Microsoft has revealed a bit more. One of the most significant is the ability to run Windows 8 from a USB flash drive. Microsoft is delivering the portability that users of several Linux distros have enjoyed for years, the convenience of carrying your OS with you.
Windows On USB Flash Drive and More
The feature—Windows To Go—allows users to have their Windows 8 desktops with them no matter their location. These USB-stored desktops are also fully manageable by IT. Users are not shackled to a single, fixed workstation, yet IT can still maintain control.
Windows RT devices, when used in conjunction with a Software Assurance licensed PC, automatically receive Windows RT Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) rights. VDA gives these devices access to a full VDI image on a Windows RT tablet.
Other capabilities, such as enhanced Branch Cache for boosting performance for end users working across a WAN, and richer virtual desktop experiences with the ability to run 3D graphics and use touch, are available in environments that also have Windows Server 2012 and RemoteFX deployed.
The enterprise version of Windows 8 also comes with AppLocker, a file and app security feature and DirectAccess for remote access to corporate resources, plus many other new features that are detailed more on the Windows team blog.
Is Windows 8 Enterprise Enticing Enough?
Organizations most likely to benefit from the new features are larger businesses with many remote users and heavy device-dependent workers. One big key in moving infrastructure over to Windows 8 will be the success of Windows RT tablets, which may prove to be ideal for business environments.
For other businesses, whether these options will make them at least consider a move to Windows 8 remains to be seen. Most of the business world's client machines are still running XP. A two-version client move in order to get these features, many of which are already available with Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7, may not make a lot of sense to IT decision-makers.