Windows 8 is the latest version of the Windows Client operating system. It was put on general release in October 2012.

It is available in a number of Editions, much the same as Windows 7. The range has however been simplified into:-

· Windows 8 The entry level edition – unable to participate in Enterprise Domain environments.

· Windows 8 Professional – the high end edition targeted and business and personal power users.

· Windows 8 Enterprise – the high end edition targeted at Enterprise customers planning to deploy many machines with managed desktops.

· Windows 8 RT – A completely new edition release for Tablet computing and not able to run existing X86 standard windows applications – but many vendors are build new versions of applications for RT.

At the present time we are not advising users to migrate their PC and laptops to Windows 8. We know of several standard ISD utilities and applications that do not work correctly yet (such as the VPN client and potentially F-secure). Windows 8 is not currently supported by ISD. We do intend to perform a full test of our applications and services on Windows 8 with a view to support it in the future.

For BYOD support we have already performed limited testing and will continue to perform some tests for Windows 8 and Windows 8 RT for connectivity to Eduroam, Live@UCL and Citrix, and then post advice and support documentation on the ISD website. We aim to have the BYOD documentation and advice posted soon – and will keep you updated.