Windows 8 Decision

Windows 8 Decision by Sam C. Chan

I haven't yet taken the time to finish this beyond my original draft with raw bullet points & shorthand notations. Still intend to eventually expand it to a more readable essay form. I also realize the need to break it down to 3 distinct articles with appropriate linguistic renditions, targeting advanced IT, junior techs/consultants, and average consumers.

FIRST DRAFT
February 17, 2013
Addendum Oct. 22, 2013
Addendum Apr. 10, 2014

overview & backgrounders
- touch is optional
  - doesn't interfere w/ desktop when done correctly
  - can ignore all the touch support + modern features
- significant and welcomed enhancement & refinement over W7
- Winver# 6.2 (same 6.x architecture as vista/w7)
  - identical hardware requirements as W7
  - practically 100% w7 apps/drv compatibility
- "Start" menu replaced by Start Screen with tiles
  - essentially a spread-out start menu, with 2-D layout
  - can still pin to start, pin to taskbar, and shortcut to desktop
reception among adopters
- typical non-tech users: don't care (65%)
- tech enthusiasts: love (10%)
- entry-level tech: hate (20%)
- med-level tech: mixed, some with rational opinions (4%)
- advanced tech, embrace as appropriate (1%)
- 20%/70%/10% (object/neutral/recommend)
typical (invalid) criticism stemming from...
- ignorance (lack of research & experiments, laziness or other agenda)
- misconceptions (after being mis-/dis-informed)
- basic logical fallacies
- lack of comprehension & perspectives (numerous easily burst bubbles)
- sheer resistance to change (emotional combative response)
- attitude: I'm not ready now... therefore it's "bad" for all others forever
historical perspective (same reluctance, bash, lag... then about-face)
- 2009: Vista to 7 (1.5 year)
- 2007: XP to Vista (3 years!)
- 2000/2001: 98 to XP (3.5 years!)
- 1991~1995: sound card & CD-ROM
- 1991: DOS 4 to 5
- 1987: color monitor
confusion, incompetency & demagoguery
- conflating UEFI, GPT, Secure Boot, Bootloader
- vast majority of practitioners are simply woefully uninformed in a substantive & relevant sense
- the informed minority are oft misled, thus invariably mis-concluded
- the perils of a point-n-click "consultant"
  - default everything, mindlessly Next... Next... OK... OK
  - disable all fundamental & effective strategic security measures
  - pile on numerous ineffective brute-force layers as panacea
- charlatans naturally succumb to various expediency devices, instead of furnishing the discovery efforts
General Recommendations
- offers many major benefits, from the IT perspective
- imprudent to eschew it (forgoing important features)
  - BitLocker now included in Pro edition! (previously only in Ultimate & Enterprise)
  - mount ISO/VHD images
  - SMBv3 optimizes networking
  - GPT support in boot partition
  - significantly enhanced Explorer UI & modern Search
  - numerous crucial features added to task manager
  - streamlined & coordinated copying/moving (stacking & pause)
  - improved multi-monitor support
  - refined File History (target: ext. drive or network share)
  - in-band initiated Reset/Refresh
  - secure boot & UEFI support (as part of holistic strategy)
  - intelligent self-repair
  - storage space mgmt/RAID
  - optional bonus: touch support
  - Windows Store Apps (sandboxing)
  - Windows-to-Go (Enterprise only)
- valid reasons for deferral:
  - deferred to sync with hardware upgrade cycle of your organization
  - prefer enterprise-wide consistency, not hybrid environment
  - held back by specific legacy LOB critical software
  - to avoid in-house developed utilities & infrastructural incompatibility
  - defered until support personnel training
  - not ready to migrate to Hyper-V
    - currently relying "XP mode" (part of W7 VirtualPC)
    - lacking SLAT on CPU/mb/BIOS renders Hyper-V at individual workstation level unfeasible
    - anecdotal application licensing concerns (EULA change)
    - alternatives (e.g. VirtualBox) unacceptable/undesirable
  - specific Skydrive-related issues and concerns (integration/sync scheme)
  - commited dependence on Windows Media Center (now req. Pro-Pack @$)
  - no access to IT for planning, guidance, or basic prescriptive strategies; sticking with what's tried-and-true as a last resort
- ready/suitable?
  - hw: config/spec & drv
  - sw: LOB app compatibility, in-house scripts
  - IT guy (self or outside practitioner) ready?
- final advice
  - consumer/small biz: GO!
  - IT-managed shops: per IT cycle
    - base decision on rational tangible reasons
  - in any case, never buy sys w W7-pro at this juncture ($149 upg down the road!)
    - get w8-pro, opt to exercise legal downgrade
    - must furnish your own logistical/technical means + know-how*
  - beware of widespread specious "advice" out there

*Like all previous legal downgrades, Microsoft won't furnish the necessary means & assistance to accomplish it. They merely declare and grant specific permissions. I deem it fair, that it is entirely up to the OEMs and IT departments, to effect such implementations, according to their respective scenarios. This includes: verification of eligibility, understanding & acceptance of ramifications, procurement of appropriate install media/ISO images, strategies & logistical procedures for licensing & activation, along with the record-keeping. All these must be in accord with the stipulations of Microsoft's pertinent legal framework.

Addendum Oct. 22, 2013

Windows 8 = winver 6.2, Windows 8.1 = winver 6.3
addition of Start button
- is helpful in non-full screen RDP sessions,
  - improved over previous 1-pixel click point for mouse navigation to Start Screen
  - without giving Win key to RDP session
- is not a start menu, nor is it needed, as
- start menu style navigation feature was always there already, just a toolbar shortcut away, and IT departments have been using it all along.
- req. KB2871389 in prep, among other prerequisites, before 8.1 upgrade is shown in store.

Addendum Apr. 10, 2014

KB2919355 released on Apr. 8, known as Window 8.1 Update (BTCN: w81u). This is a prerequisite for future O.S. updates.
Official Windows Update download links:
- x64: KB2919442, KB2919355, KB2932046, KB2959977, KB2937592, KB2938439, KB2934018
- x86: KB2919442, KB2919355, KB2932046, KB2959977, KB2937592, KB2938439, KB2934018
- ARM: KB2919442, KB2919355, KB2932046, KB2959977, KB2937592, KB2938439, KB2934018
What's New per BTC:
- boot to desktop by default for non-touch devices
- power & search button on start screen
- smart mouse @ corners (delay + click-thru bar)
- modern apps on taskbar, also pinable
- desktop clicks don't open modern apps
- fly-out title bars for modern apps
- right-click customize tiles
- access taskbar in modern apps
- indicator for newly installed apps, with counts
- OneDrive app update (replaces SkyDrive)
- minor PC Settings tweaks (on-going "modernization" of legacy control panel)
- IE11 added IE7/8 compatibility mode (catered to XP legacy enterprise crowd)

These KB's must be installed in the following order:

KB2919442 prerequisite for Windows 8.1 Update

KB2919355
KB2932046
KB2959977
KB2937592
KB2938439
KB2934018

SEE ALSO

O.S. Platform Generations a pertinent understanding for strategic planning
Vista Decision publish just prior to Vista general availability
- Vista Deployment Recommendations my related memo to above
Windows 8 Editions
Windows 8 Compatibility
System Hardware Platform Categories