Windows 8 Enterprise Features: 8 You Can't Get in Other Versions
Windows 8 Editions and Feature Availability
Upgrading to the Professional version of Windows 8 unlocks sophisticated functionalities, such as BitLocker encryption. However, certain capabilities remain exclusive.
These additional features are confined to the Enterprise edition of Windows 8, necessitating a volume licensing arrangement for access.
Comparison to Previous Windows Versions
Previously, in both Windows 7 and Vista, the features now exclusive to the Enterprise edition were offered within the higher-cost Ultimate editions.
Notably, Windows 8 does not include an Ultimate edition. Consequently, even dedicated enthusiasts are unable to access these functionalities.
This change in availability means that users seeking the full suite of Windows features must consider the implications of a volume licensing agreement for the Enterprise edition.
- BitLocker encryption is available in the Professional edition.
- Enterprise-level features require a volume license.
- The Ultimate edition, previously offering these features, is absent in Windows 8.
Windows To Go
Windows To Go represents an innovative capability introduced in Windows 8, though its availability is currently limited to the Enterprise edition. This feature facilitates the installation of the Windows operating system onto a portable USB flash drive or an external hard drive.
Subsequently, by connecting this USB drive to any compatible computer, users can initiate a boot sequence directly from the drive. This results in a fully functional Windows environment operating directly from the USB storage, with all files and personalized settings being persistently saved back to the drive itself.
Effectively, this allows for the portability of a complete Windows operating system, enabling users to access their familiar environment on any machine. This functionality mirrors the operation of a Linux live USB drive, but specifically for the Windows platform.
Benefits and Target Audience
The introduction of Windows To Go presents a valuable solution for both technically proficient users and those accustomed to utilizing Linux live USB environments. However, Microsoft’s primary focus for this feature is IT professionals and departments.
The company is promoting Windows To Go as a means of deploying and maintaining a managed Windows 8 system across a diverse range of computers. This streamlines administration and ensures consistent configurations.
- It offers a convenient way to provide a standardized Windows experience.
- It simplifies software deployment and updates.
- It enhances security by isolating the operating system on a portable drive.
This approach allows IT departments to maintain control over the Windows environment, even when users are working on different machines. The portability aspect is a key advantage in dynamic work settings.
AppLocker
Related: Ensuring Malware Prevention on Windows PCs Through Application Whitelisting
AppLocker represents a significant security capability with practical real-world applications. It enables administrators to define precise rules governing which programs user accounts on a computer are permitted to execute. A key use case for AppLocker is establishing a whitelist, restricting user account access to a limited set of trusted applications.
It's important to note that while the Professional version of Windows allows for the creation of AppLocker rules via the Group Policy Editor, these rules will not be actively enforced unless the operating system is an Enterprise edition. Attempting to enforce them on lower editions will be ineffective.
This functionality was initially introduced in both Windows 7 and Windows 8. In Windows 7, AppLocker was included with the Ultimate edition. However, on Windows 8, access to AppLocker requires a volume licensing agreement.
Implementing AppLocker is an effective strategy for securing Windows computers used by family members or individuals with limited technical expertise. It allows granting access to necessary applications while blocking all others. We have also found success utilizing the Family Safety feature for application whitelisting on other Windows 8 versions.
The Family Safety feature incorporates an application whitelisting function, though its interface can be somewhat cumbersome and is structured around the "child" and "parent" account concept. This framing might present a social challenge if a younger user is attempting to secure an older relative’s computer.
Store App Sideloading
Related: How To Sideload Modern Apps on Windows 8
Typically, new Windows 8 applications – formerly known as "Metro apps" and now referred to as "Store Apps" – are exclusively installable through the Windows Store. This contrasts with Android and traditional Windows desktop software, which can be obtained from various sources.
Installing Windows 8 apps from sources outside the official store is not a standard feature. Windows 8 operates similarly to Apple’s iOS in this regard. This restriction on iOS has sparked debate, particularly concerning games that Apple prohibits from being available on its devices.
The process of installing applications from outside the official app store is termed "sideloading." Built-in sideloading support is limited to Enterprise editions of Windows, and even then, it requires the system to be connected to a Windows domain.
Enterprise systems that are not connected to a Windows domain lack this functionality. Furthermore, Windows Professional computers connected to a domain do not possess this capability unless a specific license is acquired through a Microsoft volume-licensing agreement.
Essentially, the ability to execute applications not explicitly sanctioned by Microsoft is reserved for organizations utilizing volume-licensing agreements.
Sideloading fundamentally refers to the installation of Store apps from locations other than the Store itself. Interestingly, these apps retain the designation "Store apps" even when installed via sideloading.
Additional Capabilities
To provide a comprehensive overview, let's examine the remaining features exclusive to Enterprise versions of Windows 8. It’s worth noting that even dedicated Windows users may find limited practical application for these in a home setting.
- DirectAccess - Functioning similarly to a VPN, DirectAccess distinguishes itself through its automated connection process. Unlike traditional VPNs requiring manual initiation, DirectAccess establishes a connection automatically whenever a user accesses the Internet. This allows organizations to ensure that distributed laptops consistently attempt a direct connection to the corporate network, securing Internet traffic via an encrypted tunnel.
- BranchCache - BranchCache is specifically engineered for organizations with geographically dispersed branches. Consider a scenario where a central office hosts a server containing data frequently needed by a branch office. Instead of repeatedly accessing this data across the WAN, BranchCache creates and maintains a local data cache. This optimization enhances speed and minimizes Internet bandwidth consumption. BranchCache operates in either "Distributed Cache" mode, storing the cache across branch office computers, or "Hosted Cache" mode, utilizing a server within the branch office.
- RemoteFX Virtualization Technologies - The Enterprise edition is required to leverage the full potential of RemoteFX virtualization, including RemoteApp, the RemoteFX virtual graphics processing unit (vGPU), and other advanced virtualization capabilities. These tools facilitate running Windows on a host server, granting remote access to the Windows environment for multiple clients. This functionality is irrelevant for users simply running virtual machines on personal computers.
- Services for Network File System (NFS) - Support for the Network File System (NFS) protocol is included within the Enterprise edition of Windows. NFS is a network file-sharing protocol commonly employed by Linux and other Unix-based systems. Accessing NFS shares without relying on third-party software necessitates the Enterprise edition.
See Also: 5 Methods for Utilizing Linux Software on Windows
- Subsystem for Unix Application Support - Microsoft’s Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications (SUA), also known as Windows Services for UNIX (SFU), provided a Unix-like environment intended to simplify the porting of Unix applications to Windows. This feature was deprecated in Windows 8 Enterprise and subsequently removed in Windows 8.1 Enterprise. For Unix application needs on Windows, utilizing Cygwin or running Linux within a virtual machine is recommended.
The majority of these features are unlikely to be relevant for users of non-Enterprise Windows versions. However, the ability to access and experiment with them on Professional editions would be beneficial. Features like Windows To Go could serve as a viable alternative to Linux live USB drives, and AppLocker presents a robust solution for securing Windows PCs against malware threats.
