Introduction

Windows 8.1, which was released in Oct. 2013, includes features designed to make the OS appealing to businesses and large organizations by enhancing security, manageability, and mobility. In terms of cost and the support life cycle, Windows 8.1 acts as a service pack to Windows 8. However, it delivers substantial new features that make it more like a new version that will require considerable testing. Businesses interested in deploying Windows 8.1 should also ensure they understand the additional requirements of the features in order to ascertain the complete cost of licensing, deploying, and managing the OS.

Security

New enterprise-focused security features available in Windows 8.1 include Workplace Join and Remote Business Data Removal. Both features should make it easier for users bringing their own devices to work to use the organization’s applications and data in a secure but workable manner, without completely handing over ownership of their device or its user data. (For more information on the availability and dependencies of each of the features covered in this report, see the chart “Windows 8.1 Feature Dependencies“. For a list of additional features, see the chart “Windows 8.1 Enterprise Features“.)