TechNet Flash, Volume 15, Issue 7 - March 20, 2013
TechNet Flash editor's note from Mitch Irsfeld

New IT resources for Windows 8

Since our last TechNet feature package on Windows 8, we have added several new resources to help you explore, plan for, deploy, manage, and support Windows 8 as part of your IT infrastructure. First up, the Springboard team hosted a virtual roundtable of deployment experts from the IT community, IT pros who have been through the Windows 8 deployment process, and members of the Windows product team. They came up with some valuable tips for deploying Windows 8 in the enterprise, and take a walk through the latest Windows 8 devices.

Check out Windows 8: What IT Pros Should Know to learn about apps, virtualization, deployment, security advancements, managing devices, and more.

TechNet virtual labs are another great way to learn about Microsoft products and technologies, and there are two new Windows 8 labs to take: Controlling Access with AppLocker shows you how to create and test a local and domain Windows 8 AppLocker Policy for a preinstalled app. No complex setup or new hardware necessary. Sideloading a Windows 8 App prepares you to sideload an app, sideload an app per user, provision an app in an image, distribute an app by using MDT 2012 Update. What is sideloading? It's a method of installing a Windows Store app without publishing it to and downloading it from the store. You install it directly. For a step-by-step walkthrough of sideloading, check out Try It Out: Sideload Windows Store Apps on the Windows Client TechCenter.

You might also check out the updated Windows 8 Resource Guide for a listing of all the top resources. Download this printable, one-page guide and download the free Windows 8 Enterprise Evaluation to get started.

IT Evangelist Kevin Remde has also posted his Windows 8 Deployment Options (Part 1) with a 20-minute video featuring Senior Product Manager Michael Niehaus, who joins Kevin to discuss the tools, technologies, tips, and tricks that are available to enable efficient deployment of Windows 8 onto new or existing hardware. Tune in for an overview of the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, ADK, WDS, and System Center 2012 SP1 Configuration Manager.

Thanks for reading,

Mitch Irsfeld
Editor, TechNet Flash

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