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Edit: Reformulating the question:

We have ordered new laptops but before they arrive, our development team is trying to decide whether to install Windows 8 or stick with Windows 7. We have already tested on isolated machines, but we have not yet been allowed to add the machines to the domain.

Before we approach the networking group to discuss adding Windows 8 machines to the domain, we need more information on what changes / issues to expect in moving from Windows 7.

Are there any aspects we should consider that are specific to Windows 8 clients?

Thus far, I've gotten the following feedback:

  • New set of Group Policy templates
  • Changes to proxy server settings

Additional items along these lines would be helpful.

We're not looking for items related to Windows GUI changes, but instead primarily items related to having the machine live and be used on the domain.

Edit

To reiterate, we have tested on isolated machines and do not currently have the ability to test ON THE DOMAIN.

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  • 8
    What makes you expect it will work "differently"? "Differently" how? What's your specific concerns? What's actual problem are you running into?
    – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
    Oct 24, 2012 at 19:55
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    Windows Administrative shares are disabled by default in W8, might be a problem....computerperformance.co.uk/win8/…
    – Moab
    Oct 24, 2012 at 21:09
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    Please try to expand your question in regards to what aspects you're specifically concerned about (group policies, network security guidelines, ...). And please mention what Windows version you have currently deployed on your clients.
    – Oliver Salzburg
    Oct 24, 2012 at 22:57
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    @GaTechThomas: Edit this one and delete the other one please :) For further assistance -> Super User Chat
    – Oliver Salzburg
    Oct 24, 2012 at 23:26
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    The problem (IMO) is that this question is too localized to your specific usage and environment to be answered effectively. Try it, if it works, great! If it doesn't, boo.. When upgrading to a new OS, application compatibility problems are usually WAY more of a problem then domain connectivity. If you are coming from Windows 7, then it should be fine, if you're coming from XP, you'll have the same pains that going to Windows 7 would present (including the restricted admin shares). :)
    – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
    Oct 24, 2012 at 23:29

2 Answers 2

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As techie007 says you might need to define what you mean by "differently" if you're digging for something specific here.

From the small amount of testing we've done, it behaves largely the same way however you use it - the start screen is still the start screen, etc.

It has its own set of group policy templates too - you can't expect to just drop it into a Windows 7 domain with Windows 7 specific policies and expect all your settings to work without proper testing. Some areas we've had problems with are things like proxy server settings, which is a concern for metro style apps, as more than a few of those are all about consuming / aggregating web content.

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  • We don't know what we don't know, so your type of answer is exactly what we're looking for.
    – GaTechThomas
    Oct 24, 2012 at 20:34
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Your best option would be to install Windows 8 Enterprise evaluation and simply find out. It's there specifically for these kinds of questions. Nobody is going to be able to tell you how Windows 8 will behave in your environment and with your programs.

For example, when we upgraded a few remote desktop servers to 2008 R2 we found our terminal emulator program occasionally likes to run up the CPU usage for no good reason and wreck usability for everyone else on the server. This is a program from a company I doubt any of you have ever heard of, and nobody else would have been able to give us a warning about. Your network is a unique beast.

Other than that you might need to craft some new GPO's specifically to control your Windows 8 machines, and lock users out of settings appropriately. For example, are they able to associate their Hotmail account to their login in any way, or is this covered under 'Disallow Local Login'? Do you really want them to have anything to do with Hotmail?

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  • We have MSDN subscriptions. Licenses are not the issue. Wasted time is. If someone out here knows of significant changes or issues, then it would save everyone some time.
    – GaTechThomas
    Oct 24, 2012 at 20:32
  • @GaTechThomas What made you think I was talking about licenses? If there was a major and glaring issue about "putting Windows 8 on a network" then it would be all over the Internet. You didn't even mention your forest level, or anything remotely specific about your network. If doing a test install is a potential waste of your time then don't even bother thinking about upgrading until you're forced to.
    – rtf
    Oct 24, 2012 at 21:21
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    @GaTechThomas Licenses are not the issue. Wasted time is. I agree. So please live up to your own standards and respect the time of people on SuperUser. If you don't have the time to improve your question then respectfully, it is rather rude to expect people to devote lots of time to trying to figure out what you're after in order to answer you.
    – Rob Moir
    Oct 24, 2012 at 21:25
  • You cannot be serious. I don't live on this site like you guys do. I'm trying to contribute and I'm trying to get help here. I have requested help on reformulating my question, so back off. It is complete nonsense that you think that I am wasting others' time by asking a question here - this site is built on asking questions regarding things that others have done before.
    – GaTechThomas
    Oct 24, 2012 at 22:13
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    Uh, wouldn't it have to be Microsoft eating their own dog food?
    – Robert Harvey
    Oct 24, 2012 at 22:53

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