One of the more interesting and perhaps unexpected features of BES12.3 is support for activating and managing Windows 10. With Microsoft no longer differentiating between Windows Phone and Windows PC, this means that Windows ActiveSync support can now manage a phone, tablet or standard PC using Windows 10 with BES12.3.
The process for activating a Windows 10 device is similar to what we did previously with Windows Phone (or other mobile devices). Here is a great little video with the process:
Activate a Windows 10 tablet or computer
Also, The BES12.3 Admin guide describes the process in detail here.
When activated, you can expect the following, on your phone, tablet or PC:
Control your devices with various IT policies and actions
Configure Wi-Fi profiles
Proxy Server and PAC support
Windows Notification Service for device management
Geo-Location (find phone) support for your devices
Configure 3rd party VPNs
SCEP enrollment
And of course, email/PIM ActiveSync support
If you’re wondering what it looks like on an actual PC, here is a Windows 10 virtual machine activated on a BES12.3 server, with an account already setup to go for email/PIM.
Windows 10 virtual machine, managed by BES12.3
BES 12.3 administration console, managing a Windows 10 virtual machine
So, Windows 10 PC support with a BES. The march of progress!
About Ed Bourne
Ed Bourne brings over 10 years of experience in mobility as a Sr. Enterprise Solutions Manager at BlackBerry. Ed manages the technical partnerships with some of our largest Strategic Partners and Customers, helping to foster BlackBerry expertise and bring a compelling mobile experience to our joint customers.
Windows 10 virtual machine, managed by BES12.3