Windows 8.1 Enterprise features new and old features

Windows 8 has been a poor performance, especially in the enterprise. Over the past few months, I've asked dozens of customers if they want to upgrade to Windows 8, and no one says yes.

But Microsoft's Windows 8.1 update is not as bad as Windows 8, and you can use a previously familiar user interface. The other good news is that you have a lot more options.

Here are seven features in Windows 8.1 that may change your mind and deploy in an enterprise environment:

Windows 8.1 offers two versions of the enterprise-Professional and Enterprise editions. The Professional edition will include domain/Group Policy interaction and execution, and BitLocker encryption (a significant improvement from Windows 8). Windows 8.1 Enterprise Edition contains Windows to go, allowing the operating system to run from a USB drive. The Enterprise Edition also includes familiar technologies such as AppLocker, BranchCache, and DirectAccess. The Windows 8.1 Basic edition is still the originating version of the home user. You will not be surprised to see that the version will come into the business with your own device (BYOD), so you'd better start thinking about how to control it.

The working folder is the biggest new feature of Windows 8.1 enterprise-oriented. Working folders share and synchronize files through the cloud. Essentially, the SkyDrive is integrated into the operating system, but you need a Windows Server 2012 system. But now I can still hear "how can all sensitive client information end up on Joe's computer in Europe?" There are also many security implications and considerations.

The two great enhancements around BYOD are workplace join and open MDM. The former allows users to register their own systems through the corporate network while allowing it to control what users can and cannot do. Open MDM has an application programming interface that allows third party mobile device Management (MDM) vendors to provide Windows 8.1 sets. This is a huge improvement.

The Metro interface makes traditional PC users hostile. Microsoft has returned to the Start button, but it just takes you into the modern Metro UI. If you still want to use the traditional Start menu feature, you still need something like Start8, and I haven't found anyone who doesn't. I don't know why Microsoft has done this in decades to drive people away from the desktop. Obviously some aspects are related to money.

Windows 8.1 Update continues the integration and improvement of Windows Defender, including network behavior monitoring and tighter integration of Internet Explorer 11. In most organizations, Windows defender Technology is a complement, not a replacement for third-party Anti-malware software.

Using Near-field communications (NFC) for printing can be feasible. This is another feature of Windows 8.1 for BYOD users. BYOD users can build NFC into their mobile devices. In my own experience, I suspect that there are more problems than it solves. But in the long run, NFC printing is a choice for mobile phones and tablet users, and most of them ignore that.

The built-in Skype is suitable for older Skype users, perhaps including the National Security Service.

Windows 8.1 also has some other little-known pitfalls that can lead to enterprise security issues. The first is that the Smart Search feature is started by default. Ironically, this means that Microsoft is monitoring your search in the local system in a "Scroogle" way.

In addition, if a user logs on with a Microsoft account, SkyDrive starts by default. This may not be a big problem for traditional Windows user logins, but you can see my dynamics. skydrive--Cloud file Sharing--meaning more security risks.

Finally, I still like Windows 8, but I'm a small department, and it's another thing to deploy and maintain Windows 8.1 in the enterprise. Some of the latest improvements in Windows-especially BitLocker and the built-in management tools for Windows 8.1 Enterprise Editions-have made businesses more trustworthy. This is your decision, or choose to ignore it.