Microsoft: Software Support Provides Best Route to Windows 10 Enterprise Edition
When Microsoft last month announced that it will offer Windows 10 as a free upgrade to Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 users, the company said the deal doesn't apply to enterprise users. The company clarified that point late last week saying that the free upgrade is available to business users who have Windows Pro, but those wanting enterprise management capabilities should stick with or move to Software Assurance.
In a blog post outlining the way Microsoft will release new Windows 10 features and fixes via its new Windows-as-a-service model, the company elaborated on the free offer. Simply put, the free offer is available to anyone with Windows 7 Pro or Windows 8.x Pro. If you have Windows 7 Enterprise or Windows 8.x Enterprise and require the same "enterprise-grade capabilities, Windows Software Assurance (SA) will continue to offer the best and most comprehensive benefits," wrote Jim Alkove, a leader on the Windows Enterprise Program Management.
While Microsoft could change what's offered in its unnamed pro and enterprise versions, the latter edition will offer Direct Access, BranchCache, App Locker, support for VDI and the Windows to Go capability, according to a Microsoft description of the differences between the two SKUs. It's clear that Microsoft wants to get as many users as possible onto Windows 10, which required users to upgrade within a year of its release.
Posted by Jeffrey Schwartz on 02/02/2015 at 1:51 PM