Business users will find actual IT-oriented features, rather than the consumer OS adorned with extras.

Microsoft recently introduced a trio of consumer Windows 8 SKUs, two for desktop and the ARM version. Lost in the hoopla was Windows 8 Enterprise edition, which wasn’t outlined in great detail.

Well, Microsoft has started to provide information on it, and it sounds like, for once, it will be a true business OS and not just the consumer product with a few extras thrown in.

Windows 8 Enterprise will contain all of the features of Windows 8 Pro plus a number of exclusive features for business users. First among them is the ability to create Windows To Go portable USB installations, which will help with the whole Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) movement at work lately. The USB drive will create a bootable external USB stick to give access to the corporate environment without compromising security.

Another notable feature is DirectAccess, which allows for remote access to corporate networks without requiring a VPN connection while allowing administrators to keep remote users’ PCs in compliance with policies and software.

BranchCache allows remote users to cache files and other content from central servers on their local PCs. Windows Server 2012 will come with a number of improvements over Server 2008, which first introduced this concept.

AppLocker has been updated to restrict the files and apps that users or groups are allowed to run. Enhancements in Microsoft RemoteFX and Windows Server 2012 provide an improved VDI experience, and Windows 8 App Deployment will support side-load internal, Windows 8 Metro style apps.

To make full use of these features, Microsoft is modifying the Software Assurance license to support Windows To Go users, and for power users, Companion Device licenses will allow employees to access corporate environments through either Windows To Go or VDI using up to four personally-owned systems. This will cost extra from regular licenses.

Windows 8 Enterprise will also include MDOP, which helps manage clients, including swapping between Windows 7 and 8, and Windows Intune will allow for remote PC management that takes advantage of all of the new features in Windows 8.

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