8.1 Windows: what business users need to know

Microsoft made available for download by the public as of October 17 windows 8.1 bits, as well as a few post-RTM updates to those bits. But what about enterprise customers?

Microsoft executives, said last month that corporate customers would be able to access the volume licensing (VLSC) service center to get the Enterprise 8.1 8.1 Pro bits, and Windows once were made generally available. At that time, they noted that Windows 8.1 (core) would not be available in VLSC.

Bits Enterprise promised them and Pro are available starting today, October 18, on the VLSC, said that Microsoft officials. However, I'm listening to some customers of volume license do not see any listing for Windows 8.1 on the VLSC, and which are being issued trouble tickets.

As Microsoft officials said in an October 18 Springboard Series blog post, cannot update Windows 8.1 company via the shop Windows; It must be updated is through the media of the VLSC.

Customers may choose to make an update in place of their existing installations of Windows 8 Enterprise using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2013 or System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager, or by the burning of the media in a DVD or copy of a USB key.

As a reminder: any Windows Update view previous 8.1 Windows 8.1 GA should know that all - Store Windows and desktop/Win32 - applications needs to be reinstalled as part of the upgrade process.

The Microsoft Springboard blog post and includes information on how stakeholders in the movement of earlier versions of Windows or non - Windows 8 Enterprise SKU can move Windows 8.1. The post also includes information about how it professionals can update your keys and activation keys management service servers.

I've had a few users ask if Microsoft plans to make the media (.)ISO) updates are available for the public in general for Windows 8.1. The answer is no.

A spokesman said that the only way to update a Windows computer 8 retail activated Windows 8.1 will be go through the shop's Windows and download the updated bits. However.Based on ISO updates will be accepted for license facilities by volume (as well as to subscribers of TechNet, MSDN and DreamSpark).

Why not is Microsoft doing. are widely available for Windows 8.1 ISO files? Another spokesman told me that it is because "8.1 was conceived as an update for users with Windows already installed 8". I know downloads Store Windows have been problematic for a number of users and has made irregular Internet download from the store of a challenge for some (especially outside the United States). But Microsoft all officials are saying right now about.ISOs.

Users asking about how update their versions of Windows 8 Windows To Go: Microsoft officials say that you will have to create a new image of the existing units as part of the implementation process.

For those who still have not found Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, Microsoft also made Windows 8.1 Enterprise.ISOs 90-day free trials available today through their TechNet Evaluation Center.