Windows 8.1 (Surface Pro 3) and Domain Accounts

DeaconFrost

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I just ordered 6 new Surface Pro 3s that are running Windows 8.1 Pro. I'm not sure how to go about setting up the users accounts, so what are your best practices? I'm familiar with 8.1, as I've been running it on my personal ultrabook since it's release...but that isn't in a domain setting.

I understand how to add the systems to our domain, but when you try to download an app or access One Drive, you are prompted for a Microsoft account.

We are also planning on getting Office 365 as well, since we are a small non-profit. Would I use their Office 365 accounts as their Microsoft accounts" on the Surface Pro 3s? I believe the plan we are going with includes 1 TB of space, via OneDrive for Business, which I assume is tied to their Office 365 account. Does the account I set up in the Office 365 Admin area count as a Microsoft account?

The people using these tablets will be remote, so I'm hoping to set them up properly the first time, and then send them on their way. I am the admin of the company, so permissions are not an issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z77-UD3H
    Memory
    16 GB Patriot Viper 3 DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 470 GTX
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256 GB, WD WD20EFRX 2 TB
    PSU
    OCZ 700W
    Case
    Corsair 300R
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
I just ordered 6 new Surface Pro 3s that are running Windows 8.1 Pro. I'm not sure how to go about setting up the users accounts, so what are your best practices? I'm familiar with 8.1, as I've been running it on my personal ultrabook since it's release...but that isn't in a domain setting.
If you're running Active Directory - this is pretty much straight forward. If not (I'm guessing this is the case), you'll want to move forward with the Office 365 setup.

I understand how to add the systems to our domain, but when you try to download an app or access One Drive, you are prompted for a Microsoft account.
Right, but you can move past this by entering bogus credentials. It will offer the option to "skip" this step.
Regardless, you will be setting up a "Local" Administrator account during this process. Don't lose this account, you'll need it later.

We are also planning on getting Office 365 as well, since we are a small non-profit. Would I use their Office 365 accounts as their Microsoft accounts" on the Surface Pro 3s? I believe the plan we are going with includes 1 TB of space, via OneDrive for Business, which I assume is tied to their Office 365 account. Does the account I set up in the Office 365 Admin area count as a Microsoft account?
There is a difference between "Microsoft Account" and an Office 365 subscription (business, education, etc...).
I would suggest moving forward with setting up the Office 365 for business and then move forward with setting up users. If you're using Exchange, this will get a little sticky. If not, you'll me done in a flash.
Yes, the account you use to setup Office 365 is an Admin account. You can add more users and modify permissions later.

The people using these tablets will be remote, so I'm hoping to set them up properly the first time, and then send them on their way. I am the admin of the company, so permissions are not an issue.
Do you plan to let them have Administrative power over the tablets? If yes, you have a simple deployment ahead but a more challenging maintenance / support burden later.
If you don't plan to let the users have admin power, you'll spend more time up front setting up the devices.

I am currently in the middle of this stage where I've distributed 50 tablets to students. While the students do not have Admin rights to the tablet, I've seen other issues.

I've researched this and found various forms of thoughts, tests, and ideas about how to best deploy these and I have resolved to one thing: BYOD is the way to go.

It's been a great start to learning this but the bottom line is this: every user has their own preference, doesn't want to be controlled, wants to play and work on the same device, and will blame everything and anybody about every issue if it's not their own device.... no wait - they'll do it either way.

As of right now, having tried deploying 80 iPads, 50 tablets, 100 laptops, and hundreds of desktops and mobile devices... I'm thinking our best energy is spend securing and supporting a portal (like Office 365) where any user with any device can access the resources they need. Push the burden of mastering their devices onto them, the owner, not the IT Guy (department).

Regardless, your best bet is to move forward with the Office 365 setup, license each user and then instruct them on how to install the Office 2013 suite. Depending on Admin rights, there are some variations to this plan.

Best wishes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1; Server 2008r2, 2012r2
I think I found a solution that goes along with your answer. I will be getting Office 365 Business, which includes the Directory Sync tool, so my users will have a single sign-on. I grant my users local admin rights, so that should simplify the process of installing Office 2013's apps. I have LogMeIn set up on all of their laptops, so this is something I could do remotely, without having the need for them to come in person.

Thanks for the explanations!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z77-UD3H
    Memory
    16 GB Patriot Viper 3 DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 470 GTX
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256 GB, WD WD20EFRX 2 TB
    PSU
    OCZ 700W
    Case
    Corsair 300R
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
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