Introduction
Very Aggressive Change
Building block for the future and future of devices
Biggest Obstacle: Where is ____!?!?
The New User Experience
Start Screen
◦ “Full screen” Start Menu
◦ Search
Touch Centric
◦ Track pad Multi-touch Gestures
Live Tiles
Charms
◦ Search - System-wide Search Functionality; Windows logo key + Q
◦ Share - Allows "sharing" between Metro style apps; Windows logo key + H
The New User Experience
Charms
(cont.)◦ Devices - Print from a Metro-style app; Windows logo key + K
◦ Settings - System settings vs. PC Settings; Windows logo key + I
Metro Snap
◦ Applications share screen
◦ Share with Desktop
◦ Alt+Tab; Winkey+Tab
Business Considerations
Identical Hardware Requirements as Windows 7
Built in Windows Defender and Windows SmartScreen
◦ Not only malware but real time virus protection, SmartScreen uses a "well known" database to warn against possibly malicious downloads
Faster boot times
Integrated mobile broadband support
Airplane mode (may improve battery life when connectivity is not required)
Secure Boot
◦ Windows 8 introduces a new feature called Secure Boot, which protects the Windows boot configuration and components, and loads an Early Launch Anti-malware (ELAM) driver. This driver starts before other boot-start drivers and enables the evaluation of those drivers and helps the Windows kernel decide whether they should be initialized.
Business Considerations
File Explorer
◦ New user interface and performance improvements when copying and moving files. New, simplified conflict resolution interface
New Group Policies
◦ Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 add over 350 new group policy settings. Including managing enterprise deployment of metro style apps, new folder redirection and profile roaming functionality, Windows To Go. Over 150 policies related to Internet Explorer 10.
BitLocker and BitLocker To Go Disk Encryption Improvements
◦ BitLocker provisioning
◦ Windows 8 is now deployable to an encrypted state during installation prior to calling setup.
◦ Used Disk Space Only encryption
◦ BitLocker now offers two encryption methods, Used Disk Space Only and Full volume encryption. Used Disk Space Only allows for a much quicker encryption experience by only encrypting used blocks on the targeted volume.
Business Considerations
BitLocker and BitLocker To Go Disk Encryption Improvements
◦ Standard User PIN and password change
◦ Allows a standard user to change the BitLocker PIN or password on operating system volumes and the BitLocker password on data volumes, reducing internal help desk call volume.
◦ Network Unlock
◦ Enables a BitLocker system on a wired network to automatically unlock the system volume during boot (on capable Windows Server 2012 networks), reducing internal help desk call volumes for lost PINs.
◦ Support for Encrypted Hard Drives for Windows
◦ Includes BitLocker support for the new Encrypted Hard Drives devices
Business Considerations
Improvements to smart card support
◦ Virtual smart cards - uses the built in Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip to emulate a smart card
◦ Smart Card Service start and stop behavior - more efficient use of system resources
◦ Changes to the smart card sign-in experience - improved detection of whether a smart card reader is installed and whether the smart card or a password was used to sign in or unlock the system the last time
◦ Smart card support in Windows 8 applications
NTFS Health and Chkdsk
◦ Chkdsk in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 introduces a new approach that prioritizes volume availability and allows for the detection of corruption while the volume remains online with data available.
Business Considerations
VHD and ISO shell integration
◦ Integrates VHD and ISO disk image formats with the file system. Double-click support for either file type to mount with a drive letter.
Remote Desktop
◦ All versions include Remote Desktop Connection software.
◦ Windows 8 Pro and Enterprise include Remote Desktop Host (RDH).
Windows To Go
◦ Windows 8 Enterprise feature
◦ Boot from a portable USB-connected external drive. Windows To Go workspaces can use the same image enterprises use for their desktops and laptops and can be managed the same way.
Support Considerations
Editions Simplified and Upgrade Chart
◦ Windows 8
◦ Windows 8 Pro
◦ Windows 8 Enterprise (Volume License)
◦ Windows 8 Upgrade Paths
◦ http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj203353.aspx
Task Manager
◦ Two interface options
◦ Heat map based performance metrics
◦ Startup and Services Tabs
Support Considerations
File History
◦ Replaces "Previous Versions"
◦ Easier to use and enable but still enabled by default
◦ Much improved restore interface
Storage Spaces
◦ Easy to use pooling, mirroring and even RAID-like parity options for combining multiple disks into more usable space
Administrative Tools Menu
Control Panel / PC Settings
Keyboard Shortcuts
Support Considerations
PC Reset and PC Refresh
◦ Refreshing reinstalls Windows and keeps personal files, settings, and the apps that came with the PC and apps installed from Windows Store.
◦ Resetting reinstalls Windows but deletes files, settings, and apps—except for the apps that came with the PC.
Apps and Settings Sync
◦ Many application and the settings sync features in Windows 8 require that you sign in with a Microsoft account or link a domain account to a Microsoft account.
Internet Explorer and Page tools
Windows Runtime (WinRT)
◦ New platform, with its own app execution and security model that sandboxes apps from each other and from the desktop, which is just another app now.
Summary
Summary
Summary
Summary
Smart Choices – Business driven choices
◦ Business Required Features◦ Cost Savings
◦ Bring your own Devices (BYOD)
◦ New form factors
◦ Active Directory supported
◦ “Best of Both Worlds” – Personal use and Productivity
◦ Bring existing Software Investments into the highly portable space
◦ Cost of Training
◦ The dual personality of Windows 8 cannot be avoided
