Store User Data and Settings
Applies To: Windows 8.1
For a Windows 8.1 deployment to PCs in education you can use many strategies to store user data and settings.
Users can store their data and settings locally on the computer’s internal hard disk or through a networked strategy such as User State Virtualization (USV). This section examines the various means of storing user data and settings:
Using the internal disk. Using the local disk is the default and familiar means for storing data and settings on a computer. With this strategy, all data is stored locally on an internal disk.
Using a Microsoft account. A Microsoft account can be used to synchronize many settings related to the Windows 8.1 experience and data to Microsoft OneDrive.
Using USV. You can use USV (in other words, Microsoft User Experience Virtualization [UE-V] with Folder Redirection and Offline Files) or Roaming User Profiles to store settings.
Table 7 describes these strategies and considerations for their use.
Table 7. Choosing a Strategy for Storage of User Data and Settings
| Internal disk | Microsoft account | USV with Roaming User Profiles | USV with UE-V | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ease of IT configuration |
No additional configuration required |
No additional configuration required |
IT pro–level configuration needed |
IT pro–level configuration needed |
Ease of use |
Easy; users are familiar with this |
Users need to change workflows to save data on OneDrive |
Easy; user experience is the same |
Easy; user experience is the same |
Limitations |
Data is stored locally and can be lost; data is not portable |
May not be appropriate for sensitive data or regulatory reasons |
||
Backup of data and settings |
None |
Backed up to OneDrive |
Backed up using in-place network backup strategies |
Backed up using in-place network backup strategies |
Use with domain |
Can be used within an AD DS domain |
Can be used with an AD DS domain |
AD DS domain is required |
AD DS domain is required |
Ability to roam |
None; this strategy wouldn’t be appropriate for student computer labs |
Can roam to any compatible computer with Internet connectivity as long as the user signs in with their Microsoft account or associates their Microsoft account with their AD DS domain account |
Can roam to any compatible, domain-joined computer capable of connecting to the network |
Can roam to any compatible, domain-joined computer |
It is important to understand the different infrastructure requirements involved in each strategy. With local storage, no additional infrastructure is required, but user settings and data are not transferred between devices. Another limitation of local storage is that user data and settings are at risk of being lost if the computer becomes damaged or is stolen. Likewise, using a Microsoft account requires no additional infrastructure but does require that the computer be connected to the Internet to synchronize users’ data and settings. USV requires additional infrastructure to store the data and settings but enables a complete and seamless experience for the user.
For large-scale school deployments, you will likely use a USV strategy. USV provides the best availability for settings and data within a domain environment. The strategy takes advantage of infrastructure and processes that are already in place in many schools while providing for backups and enabling users to access their data from virtually anywhere.