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Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview Includes Bootable External Drive

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Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview is now available for business users. The enterprise edition adds enhanced features like the capability to create a bootable external USB drive, Start screen control, and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).

Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview features include:

Windows To Go Creator: IT organizations can create a fully manageable corporate Windows 8.1 desktop on a bootable external USB drive. The drive can be used to support Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scenarios or be given to contingent staff to access the corporate environment.

Start Screen Control: IT departments can now control the layout of the Start screen on company-issued devices. IT departments can also prevent users from customizing their Start screen.

DirectAccess: Users can access resources inside a corporate network remotely without having to launch a separate VPN. Also, IT administrators can keep remote users’ PCs up-to-date by applying the latest policies and software updates.

BranchCache: Employees in branch offices no longer need to download content multiple times across their Wide Area Network (WAN) as BranchCache caches files, websites and other content from central servers locally on hosted cache servers or PCs.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI): Users will enjoy a rich desktop experience and the ability to play 3D graphics, use USB peripherals and use touch-enabled devices across any type of network (LAN or WAN) for VDI scenarios, thanks to enhancements in Microsoft RemoteFX and Windows Server 2012.

AppLocker: IT organizations can restrict the files and apps that users or groups can run on a PC, increasing the security of the device and the data it holds.

Windows Enterprise Side-Loading: Internal Windows apps can be side-loaded on domain-joined PCs and tablets running Windows 8.1 Enterprise.

You can download the Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview here.

You can see the full list of features here.

Here is the link to the FAQs list of Windows 8.1 preview.

Windows 8 customers will have two years to move to Windows 8.1 after the general availability of the Windows 8.1 update to continue to remain supported under Windows 8 lifecycle.  

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